Position and organization

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS), Division of Research and Methodology (DRM), located in Hyattsville, Maryland, is seeking a Service Fellow. NCHS is the nation’s principal health statistics agency. As 1 of the 10 centers and institutes that constitutes CDC, NCHS’ mission is to compile accurate, relevant, and timely statistical information to guide actions and policies that improve the health of the nation. DRM’s mission is to plan, coordinate, and stimulate NCHS’ research program in the fields of mathematical statistics; survey design and methodology; cognition and survey measurement; and automated statistical, graphical, and geographical technologies. DRM serves as  NCHS’ consultant in the fields of survey design and methodology, data collection, data analysis, and cognition, and it formulates and implements statistical standards in these areas. For more information about NCHS, visit https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/about.htm.

Fellowship overview

The Service Fellow will serve as a principal investigator in the Collaborating Center for Question Design and Evaluation Research.  The fellow will conduct primarily qualitative research to understand how potential survey respondents comprehend and process survey questions. This research is used to improve questions on federal surveys and to document the type of data collected by survey instruments. The Service Fellow will design, conduct, and lead studies to isolate and define patterns of question interpretation, types of response error, and potential for bias in cross-national or cross-cultural populations. The Service Fellow will collaborate with other CDC staff to design questionnaires and evaluate their performance. The incumbent is expected to conduct additional methodological research related to the validity of survey data and to present this work at conferences and in published papers.

Qualifications

This fellowship is open to all citizens of the United States or legal permanent residents with a work authorization. Applicants are responsible for obtaining the necessary authorization. Applicants must have successfully completed a master’s degree (a doctoral degree is preferred) in behavioral or social science or in a related discipline that provided a minimum of 20 semester hours in sociology or anthropology. All degrees and coursework must be from an accredited college or university. Applicants must have training and experience conducting qualitative research and knowledge of survey methodology, specifically, questionnaire design and question evaluation. Strong speaking, writing, and interpersonal skills are necessary.

Terms of appointment

The successful candidate will be offered an initial 24-month appointment, with potential for an extension. A starting date will be determined by mutual agreement. An initial salary of $56,233–$126,062 will be offered, based on education and experience. Salary increases will be commensurate with performance. Federal benefits such as annual and sick leave, Thrift Savings 401(k)-equivalent, health and life insurance, and a flexible work schedule apply. Free onsite parking or a public transportation subsidy is available. The local subway station is within walking distance, and a free shuttle is available to and from the station.

Application process

Review of applications will begin on February 22, 2019 , and will continue until the position is filled. Interested applicants should submit their curriculum vitae to Dr. Kirsten Miller at KSMiller@cdc.gov with the subject line: ” fellowship application.” Due to the number of applications , it may not be possible to acknowledge receipt of each application.

**CDC/NCHS is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, creed, color, age, sex, national origin, physical or mental disability, or sexual orientation.**