The National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS) is inviting qualified candidates to apply for multiple vacancies within the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) and other units. If you meet the requirements, prepare your updated CV and supporting documents and submit your application before the closing date.
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Employer: | National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS) – NICD |
| Closing Date: | 6 February 2026 |
| Location: | Sandringham (Johannesburg) and selected provincial sites |
Important application guidelines
- Email a detailed CV to the relevant recruiter/HR contact, and quote the reference number and job title in the email subject line.
- Include supporting documents (as required), such as ID, qualifications, proof of registration (HPCSA/SANC where relevant), and driver’s licence (if required).
- Foreign qualifications must include a SAQA evaluation certificate.
- Late or incomplete applications may not be considered.
- Shortlisted candidates may undergo checks (criminal, qualification verification, employment verification, and other screening) and may be required to complete assessments.
Available posts and requirements
Centre Heads (2 Posts) – NICD
Post Title: Centre Heads (2 posts)
Business Unit: NICD
Discipline: Centre for Enteric Diseases and Centre for HIV and STIs
Location: Sandringham
Reference Number: NICD0126/001-17
Pay Grade: E1
Requirements
- Medical qualification: MMed (Virology/Microbiology) / FC-Path (Virology/Microbiology)
- HPCSA registration as a specialist (Clinical Microbiology/Virology/Infectious Diseases)
- Strong management and leadership background (as per advert)
- Public health / communicable disease experience is required
Key duties
- Provide administrative and scientific leadership for the Centre
- Drive strategic planning, financial governance, research output, and stakeholder engagement
- Ensure the Centre supports outbreak response and national public health priorities
Application email
Send your application to: Recruiter4@nicd.ac.za
Enquiries: Mammei Hlehlisi-Galo (011 555 0581)
Head of Division – Public Health Surveillance and Response
Post Title: Head of Division
Business Unit: NICD
Location: Sandringham
Reference Number: NICD0126/001-18
Pay Grade: E2
Requirements
- MBChB plus specialist qualification (MMed/FCP in relevant discipline)
- HPCSA registered specialist
- Extensive management experience in public health context (as per advert)
Key duties
- Provide strategic oversight for surveillance and response
- Build partnerships with national and international stakeholders
- Strengthen outbreak detection, investigation, and response programmes
Application email
Send your application to: Recruiter4@nicd.ac.za
Enquiries: Mammei Hlehlisi-Galo (011 555 0581)
Medical Officer – Public Health Surveillance and Response
Post Title: Medical Officer
Business Unit: NICD
Location: Sandringham
Reference Number: NICD0126/001-19
Pay Grade: D1
Requirements
- MBChB/MBBCh
- HPCSA registration as a Medical Doctor
- Public health / microbiology / virology experience (advantage)
Key duties
- Support outbreak verification and investigation
- Liaise with clinicians, DoH, and laboratories
- Contribute to guidelines/resources and research outputs
Application email
Send your application to: Recruiter3@nicd.ac.za
Enquiries: Kgaogelo Mkwanazi (011 386 6090)
Supervisor Administration (Re-advertisement) – National Cancer Registry
Post Title: Supervisor Administration (Re-advertisement)
Business Unit: NICD
Location: Sandringham
Reference Number: NICD1025-001-02
Pay Grade: C2
Requirements
- Bachelor’s Degree in Health Sciences
- Knowledge/experience in ICD-O-3 coding (essential)
- Supervisory skills and strong administration ability
Key duties
- Quality control of cancer coding and coder training
- Implement SOPs and maintain registry accuracy and integrity
Application email
Send your application to: Recruiter3@nicd.ac.za
Enquiries: Kgaogelo Mkwanazi (011 386 6090)
Surveillance Officer (Fixed-Term Contract to 30 September 2026) – Western Cape
Post Title: Surveillance Officer (Readvertised)
Business Unit: NICD
Location: Western Cape site (as per advert)
Reference Number: NICD1025/001-03
Pay Grade: C2
Requirements
- Nursing qualification (3 years) and SANC registration
- Clinical experience + surveillance/research experience (as per advert)
- Valid driver’s licence (manual) and ability to travel
Key duties
- Collect clinical data and specimens for surveillance programmes
- Complete case report forms, manage records, produce weekly stats
Application email
Send your application to: Recruiter1@nicd.ac.za
Enquiries: Keitumetse Tsoeu (011 885 5404)
Bioinformatics Scientist (Fixed-Term Contract to 30 September 2026)
Post Title: Bioinformatics Scientist
Business Unit: NICD
Location: Sandringham
Reference Number: NICDCDC0126/001-01
Pay Grade: D1
Requirements
- MSc in Bioinformatics (PhD desirable)
- Strong experience with next-generation sequencing data analysis
- Linux/UNIX and scripting experience (as per advert)
Key duties
- Provide high-level bioinformatics solutions and pipeline development
- Support research and surveillance analysis and reporting
Application email
Send your application to: Recruiter4@nicd.ac.za
Enquiries: Mammei Hlehlisi-Galo (011 555 0581)
Field Epidemiologist (Fixed-Term Contract to 30 September 2026)
Post Title: Field Epidemiologist
Business Unit: NICD
Location: Sandringham / provincial support role (as per advert)
Reference Number: NICDCDC0126/001-02
Pay Grade: D1
Requirements
- Master’s in Public Health / Epidemiology / Biostatistics
- Valid driver’s licence and own transport
- Experience with notifiable medical conditions and outbreak response
Key duties
- Manage surveillance data and support provincial outbreak response
- Lead training and data-to-policy capacity building activities
Application email
Send your application to: Recruiter3@nicd.ac.za
Enquiries: Kgaogelo Mkwanazi (011 386 6090)
Medical Scientist Entry (Fixed-Term Contract) – CRDM
Post Title: Medical Scientist Entry
Business Unit: NICD
Location: Sandringham
Reference Numbers: NICDCDC0126/001-03 and NICDCDC0126/001-04
Pay Grade: MSE
Requirements
- BSc Honours / MSc in relevant medical science field
- HPCSA registration as Medical Biological Scientist (Microbiology/Virology as per post)
- Molecular laboratory competency (PCR, extraction; sequencing advantage)
Key duties
- Conduct laboratory testing and research under supervision
- Support lab administration, SOPs, troubleshooting, and quality management
Application email
Send your application to: Recruiter2@nicd.ac.za
Enquiries: Palesa Nong (011 386 6425)
Grant Administrator (Fixed-Term Contract Ending December 2026)
Post Title: Grant Administrator
Business Unit: NICD
Location: Sandringham
Reference Number: NICDCDC0126/001-05
Pay Grade: C2
Requirements
- Diploma in Finance/Bookkeeping (financial degree desirable)
- Experience in grant/project financial management (as per advert)
Key duties
- Manage budgets, cost centres, reporting, reconciliations and audit readiness
- Liaise with stakeholders and ensure compliance with requirements
Application email
Send your application to: Recruiter3@nicd.ac.za
Enquiries: Kgaogelo Mkwanazi (011 386 6090)
Laboratory Technician (Fixed-Term Contract Ending August 2026)
Post Title: Laboratory Technician
Business Unit: NICD
Location: Sandringham
Reference Number: NICDCDC0126/001-07
Pay Grade: LT1
Requirements
- Grade 12 + SMLTSA Certificate
- HPCSA registration as Laboratory Technician (Microbiology)
- Lab safety, quality control knowledge, and attention to detail
Key duties
- Receive/register samples, perform routine tests under supervision
- Maintain logs, support stock control, follow SOPs and QA requirements
Application email
Send your application to: Recruiter2@nicd.ac.za
Enquiries: Palesa Nong (011 386 6425)
IT Support Engineer (Fixed-Term Contract: 4 months maternity replacement)
Post Title: IT Support Engineer
Business Unit: NICD
Location: Sandringham
Reference Number: NICDCDC0126/001-08
Pay Grade: C1
Requirements
- Diploma/Degree in IT
- ITIL Foundation (plus relevant certifications as per advert)
- Desktop support experience and strong troubleshooting skills
Key duties
- Provide service desk support, resolve hardware/software incidents
- Maintain workstation performance and support documentation
Application email
Send your application to: Recruiter2@nicd.ac.za
Enquiries: Palesa Nong (011 386 6425)
Phlebotomy Officer (2 Posts) – Sessional Contract
Post Title: Phlebotomy Officer (x2)
Business Unit: NICD
Location: Sandringham
Reference Number: NICDCDC0126/001-10
Pay Grade: B5
Requirements
- Matric (NQF 4)
- Nursing certificate / SMLTSA certificate
- Registration with SANC or HPCSA (as per role)
Key duties
- Draw blood and prepare specimens for testing
- Maintain records, follow safety procedures and support service delivery
Application email
Send your application to: Recruiter1@nicd.ac.za
Enquiries: Keitumetse Tsoeu (011 885 5404)
How to apply
- Identify the post you qualify for and note the reference number.
- Email your detailed CV and the required supporting documents to the correct recruiter:
- Use an email subject like: “NICDCDC0126/001-08 – IT Support Engineer”
- Submit before: 6 February 2026
To apply and more details visit NHLS official website.