At a glance
- The Laboratory Leadership Service (LLS) host site application period is August 3–September 13, 2026.
- Host site applicants can receive coaching and resources from the LLS program to improve their applications and chances of being matched with an officer.
- Learn how best to prepare a host site application.
Tips to enhance LLS applications
Your host site laboratory application is reviewed during the selection process and by officer applicants as they choose labs to interview with during the match process. Here are tips to enhance your application:
- Provide at least one well-described applied public health laboratory research project with publication potential that could be completed within 12–18 months.
- Describe projects that provide opportunities to build leadership and management skills. Detail how your officer will learn about laboratory leadership and management through hands-on experience.
- Describe your laboratory’s quality and safety needs or other related experiential training opportunities through which an LLS officer could further develop these skill sets and contribute to your laboratory.
- Explain the breadth of training experience your laboratory and designated supervisors could offer an officer, such as access to senior leadership and support staff (e.g., biostatistician), leadership experience, working with multidisciplinary teams, cutting-edge work, travel, and/or presentation opportunities.
- Describe potential field experience opportunities, including collaborations with other laboratory or epidemiology partners.
- Demonstrate an understanding that LLS officers are not traditional post-doctoral researchers but instead require a varied and dynamic training experience that includes both applied research and professional soft skill development.
- Request application resources and coaching from the LLS program. This is particularly helpful for first-time applicants.