CDC Laboratory Leadership Service

Protecting the public’s health and safety is a coordinated effort. It takes experts from a range of health and science disciplines working together to address the public health threats we face in our communities and the country at large. Laboratory scientists are a critical link in this chain.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Laboratory Leadership Service (LLS) is a 2-year fellowship program that gives PhD lab scientists a unique opportunity to go beyond the bench for guided instruction and hands-on problem-solving. LLS provides one-of-a-kind, service-based training opportunities and experiential learning projects focused on applied laboratory science, quality, and safety while emphasizing leadership and advanced communication skill-building.

LLS officers are CDC disease detectives who train with Epidemic Intelligence Service officers and subject matter experts across the public health workforce. They conduct cutting-edge research, support rapid response to disasters and disease outbreaks, help investigate emerging health threats, and enhance the laboratory systems and practices essential for public health.

LLS seeks doctoral-level laboratory scientists looking to take their careers to the next level while doing work that delivers real benefits to communities across the country.

To be eligible for LLS, an applicant must have:

• A doctoral-level degree in a laboratory-related discipline (e.g., microbiology, molecular biology, organic chemistry, environmental chemistry, genetics, bioinformatics); other health professionals are welcome to apply, but must also hold a relevant doctoral-level degree
• US citizenship or US permanent resident status at the time of application
• Thesis or dissertation defense before March 31 of the year entering LLS

Please visit our website or contact the LLS program if you have any questions regarding eligibility.

Additional incentives include:

• Thrift Savings Plan
• Federal Employees Retirement System Benefit Plan
• Federal Employees Health Benefits Plan
• Federal Employees Group Life Insurance
• Federal Employees Vision and Dental Insurance Program
• 4 hours of annual leave and 4 hours of sick leave every 2 weeks (13 days total of each)