The South African Medical Research Council is accepting applications for six support internships for unemployed South African graduates.
The opportunities cover Information Technology, Health and Safety, Research Capacity Development, Human Resources, Finance and Supply Chain Management. Each internship is linked to a relevant diploma or degree, giving graduates a chance to build workplace experience in the field they studied.
Applications close on 3 September 2026.
Which internships are available?
SAMRC currently has six support internship opportunities open:
- Support Intern: Information Technology
- Support Intern: Health, Safety and Environment
- Support Intern: Research Capacity Development
- Support Intern: Human Resources
- Support Intern: Finance
- Support Intern: Supply Chain Management
The programme is aimed at unemployed graduates who want practical experience before moving into longer-term professional roles.
What can IT graduates apply for?
The IT internship is open to applicants with a Diploma or Degree in Information Technology or a similar field.
Applicants should also be computer literate and able to communicate effectively.
The role can give graduates early exposure to technology support and workplace systems within a national health research organisation.
For someone building a career in IT, this type of experience can strengthen practical skills that are difficult to develop through academic study alone.
Which health-related opportunities are available?
SAMRC has internships in Health, Safety and Environment and Research Capacity Development.
The HSE internship requires a Diploma or Degree in Health and Safety or a similar field.
The Research Capacity Development internship requires a three-year qualification in Health Science or another relevant discipline. Experience with Microsoft Excel will be an advantage.
These opportunities may suit graduates interested in the operational and research-support side of the healthcare and medical research sector.
What does the Finance internship require?
The Finance internship is open to graduates with a three-year National Diploma or Degree in Accounting or a similar qualification.
Exposure to Microsoft Excel and accounting software such as Pastel will be an advantage.
The internship can give accounting graduates practical experience in financial administration while working inside a public research organisation.
That experience can be useful for people building careers in accounting, finance or financial operations.
Who can apply for Supply Chain Management?
Applicants need a BCom Degree in Supply Chain, Logistics or a similar field for the Supply Chain Management internship.
Computer literacy is also required.
The role can provide practical exposure to procurement, logistics and supply chain processes, all of which are used across healthcare, government, research and large organisations.
What qualification is needed for HR?
The Human Resources internship requires a three-year National Diploma or Degree in Human Resource Management or a similar qualification.
Applicants should also be computer literate and able to communicate effectively.
For HR graduates, the internship can provide workplace exposure in areas linked to people management, administration and organisational support.
Who is the programme for?
The internships are intended for suitably qualified unemployed South African graduates.
Applicants should apply for the position that matches their field of study rather than submitting for roles outside their qualification area.
The current opportunities cover several professional fields:
- Information Technology
- Health and Safety
- Health Sciences
- Human Resources
- Accounting and Finance
- Supply Chain and Logistics
This makes the intake broader than a single graduate programme and gives applicants several routes into professional workplace experience.
Why can this experience be useful?
The internships give graduates a chance to apply their qualifications in a real organisation before competing for more experienced roles.
Academic knowledge is important, but employers often also look for evidence that a graduate can work with systems, communicate professionally, manage tasks and understand workplace processes.
Experience at SAMRC may be particularly useful for graduates interested in healthcare, research, finance, technology or operational careers where structured organisational experience matters.
How do you apply?
Applications must be submitted through the SAMRC recruitment portal.
Applicants should choose the role that matches their qualification and complete the online application carefully.
Before submitting, check that your academic information, contact details and supporting information are correct.
When do applications close?
Applications close on 3 September 2026.
No stipend amount or programme duration was included in the information provided, so applicants should review the relevant SAMRC application page for any additional conditions before applying.
