Graduate Student Intern – Enteric or Respiratory Illnesses

MPHI is a Michigan-based and nationally engaged, non-profit public health institute. We are a team of teams, process and content experts, dedicated to building A world where tomorrow is healthier than today!

Title: Graduate Student Intern – Enteric or Respiratory Illnesses

$16.00 – $18.00 / Posted Thru: 1/26/2026

Part-Time – 20 Hours Per Week

Location: Remote/Virtual – Must Live and Work in Michigan

Purpose: Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) epidemiologists conduct statewide surveillance of reportable enteric diseases and viral respiratory illnesses (influenza, COVID-19, and RSV). The intern will either be assigned to work on enteric diseases or viral respiratory illnesses. The enteric student interns will assist internal and external subject matter experts within the Enteric & Respiratory Diseases Epidemiology (ERIE) Section within the Emerging Infectious Disease Division. The respiratory student interns will assist internal and external subject matter experts in the Respiratory Virus Unit within the Immunization Division. Please note: the start date of this position will be March/April 2026 with an end date of June 30, 2027.

Duties and Responsibilities for Enteric Disease:

• Conduct active surveillance for Listeria, Salmonella, Shiga -toxin producing Escherichia coli, and other reportable enteric infections.
• Telephone interviews of ill persons (cases) and sometimes well persons (controls) about their illnesses and exposures.
• Perform data entry, data management, data analysis, and other investigation-related duties as needed.
• Assist with other disease investigations within the ERIE Section and Emerging Infectious Diseases Division as needed.
• Participate in state-level preparedness activities to respond to any public health emergency.
• Report/update on a regular basis to Supervisor and OBNE Coordinator.
• Maintain a positive, credible, professional relationship with all parties relevant to MPHI and MDHHS projects and represent the best interest of MPHI and MDHHS at all times.
• Other duties as assigned.

Duties and Responsibilities for Respiratory Illnesses:

• Perform data entry, data management, data analysis, and other public health investigation-related duties as needed.
• Conduct medical chart reviews, data extraction, and update case reports in database for cases hospitalized with influenza, COVID-19, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infections.
• Participate in quality assurance efforts.
• Assist with respiratory disease outbreak investigations.
• Assist with grant-related projects.
• Participate in state-level preparedness activities to respond to any public health emergency.
• Report/update on a regular basis to Supervisor.
• Maintain a positive, credible, professional relationship with all parties relevant to MPHI and MDHHS projects and represent the best interest of MPHI and MDHHS at all times.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications / Requirements:

education: Bachelor’s degree required. This job requires full-time enrollment in a graduate-level degree-seeking program (MPH, MS, PhD) in epidemiology, or related public health area.

experience: No Experience required. Familiarity with healthcare settings and/or medical record review preferred. Working with the public and/or fluency in a second language would be an asset.

Important Skills and Characteristics:

• Excellent verbal skills, including strong oral communication.
• Knowledge of statistics and/or infectious disease epidemiology.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications, such as Access, Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and is familiar with email/internet browser software.
• Works well in team situations, is self-motivated, meets deadlines, and handles multiple tasks at one time with minimal supervision.
• Excellent written communication skills.
• Able to present scientific and technical information to others.
• A one-year commitment is preferred.

Work Environment and Physical Requirements: Job may require moderate physical effort including lifting materials and equipment of <25 pounds and involves viewing a monitor screen 25% to 75% of the time. </span>This position will be remote though in-office work may be necessary on occasion. In person work may resume in the future based on state guidelines and employee policies. May require valid vehicle operator’s license where needed to perform duties of the position.

RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE WORK OF OTHERS: No assigned responsibility.

IMPACT ON PROJECTS, SERVICES AND OPERATIONS: This position has a direct impact on the quality of services provided by MPHI to MDHHS.

REQUIRED COMMUNICATION

“For purposes of employment standards, this classification is “Non-Exempt” from the overtime provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act.”

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