Sisonke Learnership Programme
Sisonke is the largest local funder of health research, medical diagnostics, medical devices and therapeutics. To build human capacity in healthcare and ensure the sustainability of health research, South African Medical Research Council has defined research capacity programmes, providing scholarships to master’s, PhD and postdoctoral scholars in medical and health sciences. As a custodian of research for health, the SAMRC is building a healthy nation through research and innovation.
Programme Requirements
Interested candidates who want to apply for this learnership position should ensure that they meet the following criteria
- Applicants must be a citizen of South Africa or have valid work and possess an Identity Card.
- You must not have partaken in any other learnership prior to this application
- A valid Grade 12 / Martic certification
- Must be between 18 and 35 years of age
- Must hold a diploma or degree in the relevant field (where applicable)
- Proof of residence
Sisonke Learnership online application For 2023
All learnership application processes are made online as they open yearly. To apply for the online Learnership application check here to browse and apply for the available advertised positions.
Application Dates
The Opening and closing dates vary depending on the position available. Applicants are reminded to ensure that they submit their application early the better. Sisonke will not tolerate any late application. Closing Date is available on the vacancies portal.
Sisonke Learnership Stipend
When you register for a Learnership you will be paid in the form of a stipend. This means you will be paid monthly while you are on the entire learnership.
Sisonke contact details
Find contact information below for Learnership enquires and availability at Sisonke South Africa.
- Sisonke desk: 0800 014 956
- Oversight ethics committee: SAMRC Ethics Committee, P.O. Box 19070; Tygerberg, Cape Town
About Sisonke
The Sisonke Programme is a collaboration between the National Department of Health, South African Medical Research Council, Desmond Tutu Health Foundation, CAPRISA, Janssen and Johnson & Johnson. It allows the government to make the Ad26.COV2.S COVID-19 vaccine (JnJ vaccine) immediately available to healthcare workers using a research programme. Sisonke is not the same as a clinical trial. Rather it is a way that research can help to make a vaccine available while the licensing process takes place.
The South African government has chosen to move ahead with this programme because it would be unethical to withhold a vaccine known to be safe and effective. The South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) has approved the use of the JnJ vaccine for the Sisonke Programme while it processes the full licensing. It is important to understand that the fact that it is not yet licenced does not mean that it is not safe or effective. We have data on safety and effectiveness of the JnJ vaccine.
A third wave of COVID-19 is predicted to begin in South Africa this winter. Protecting healthcare workers is a priority and so we must start vaccinating our healthcare workers before the third wave arrives.
