Communicable Diseases Agency

National Public Health Laboratory Traineeship [GRIT@Gov]

Traineeship

Closing on 30 Oct 2025

Check if I'm eligible for GRIT@Gov

What the role is

The GRaduate Industry Traineeship Programme within the Public Service (GRIT@Gov) aims to provide fresh graduates with opportunities to gain industry-relevant skills and experience that can strengthen their employability to take up full time roles in the sector.

The Communicable Diseases Agency (CDA) - National Public Health Laboratory (NPHL) traineeship programme is designed to cultivate competent laboratory assistants who can effectively support both public health and clinical laboratory functions. This comprehensive approach combines practical and hands-on experience with essential theoretical foundations to address urgent workforce requirements in the industry, such as diagnostic testing and surveillance operations.

Upon successful completion of the traineeship programme, the trainee will acquire expertise across six core competency areas. These encompass technical laboratory proficiencies, comprehensive safety and regulatory compliance knowledge, quality management protocols and documentation practices, data management systems and technological applications, effective communication and collaborative teamwork abilities, and problem-solving with critical thinking capabilities.

The programme structure ensures that the trainee possesses the multifaceted skill set necessary to contribute meaningfully to laboratory operations while maintaining the high standards required for public health laboratory operations and clinical diagnostic functions.

What you will be working on

The trainee will be responsible for the pre-analytical phase of the laboratory total testing cycle and work in a team to ensure effective operation of the laboratory specimen reception station. Your responsibilities include the following:

Oversee the acceptance and rejection of specimen receipt and ensure there is no non-compliance that compromises specimen integrity, pose safety risks to the scientific officers or fail to meet regulatory requirements

Identify specimens that are temperature or time sensitive and ensure specimens at sample reception are processed in a timely manner in accordance with laboratory reception protocol

Data management including the processing of surveillance forms/records and performing data entry into current IT systems such as the laboratory information system (where applicable)

Staff and upkeep the laboratory specimen reception station, perform and execute inventory management that includes receiving supplies from vendors and packing of laboratory supplies for external stakeholders such as GPs, Polyclinics, medical service providers for dormitories and outbreak investigation

Other duties include the collection of supplies from TTSH central store, the collection of specimens from TTSH Department of Laboratory Medicine and overseeing the laundry operations to ensure there are adequate clean gowns to support laboratory operations

What we are looking for

Job Requirements

Fresh graduate who has completed studies in Biomedical Science
Prior internship experience in clinical, diagnostic laboratory setting and familiarity with terminology used in laboratory

Key Competencies Required

Thinking Clearly & Making Sound Judgements – Strong analytical and critical thinking abilities to support the crafting of sound policy recommendations; ability to grasp timelines, operating context and ground realities.
Learning & Putting Skills into Action - Possesses the drive and curiosity to learn and apply new skills, knowledge and new ways of working.
Improving & Innovating – Ability to seek continual improvements, and to innovate and experiment while managing the risks involved.
Working Effectively with Stakeholders – Ability to mobilise and rally partners and stakeholders towards a collective purpose.

About your application process

This job is closing on 30 Oct 2025.

If you do not hear from us within 4 weeks of the job ad closing date, we seek your understanding that it is likely that we are not moving forward with your application for this role. We thank you for your interest and would like to assure you that this does not affect your other job applications with the Public Service. We encourage you to explore and apply for other roles within Communicable Diseases Agency or the wider Public Service.

Eligibility for GRIT@Gov traineeship

All trainees must fulfil the following criteria:

Singapore Citizen or Permanent Resident; and
Graduated or graduating in 2024 or 2025 from Universities, Polytechnics, the Institute of Technical Education (ITE) and other Educational Institutions (e.g. private universities and overseas institutions); or
Graduated earlier from above institutions and completed National Service in 2024 or 2025.

Trainees who complete their studies from Universities, Polytechnics, the Institute of Technical Education (ITE) or other Educational Institutions within 2025 but who will only receive their qualification/certification award in 2026 are eligible for the programme as well.

Learn more about GRIT@GOV

About Communicable Diseases Agency

The Communicable Diseases Agency (CDA) was established in 2025 as a statutory board under Singapore's Ministry of Health (MOH) to serve as the central authority for public health policymaking to manage and control the threat of communicable diseases. This is aimed at strengthening Singapore's public health capabilities built during the COVID-19 response to ensure a unified command and coordinated approach across all situations, from routine disease control to future outbreaks. CDA safeguards the nation from communicable diseases through disease surveillance, outbreak investigations, vaccination programs, public education, and global health collaboration. Beyond domestic activities, the CDA aims to expand Singapore’s global outreach and foster collaboration with international partners.

Learn more about Communicable Diseases Agency