NOTE: To complete the internship application, ensure the following documents are prepared in advance for submission on the portal:
One-page Cover Letter: Present a succinct statement of your interest, desired learning outcomes, and relevant experience.
Curriculum Vitae (CV): Provide a comprehensive overview of your educational background, work experiences, and skills.
Writing Sample (Minimum 2000 words): Submit a writing sample, preferably extracted from a student assignment.
Academic Certificates and Transcripts (Tertiary Only): Include scanned copies of relevant academic certificates and transcripts. For the initial application, scanned copies are acceptable.
Details of one referee (academic or professional) who can comment on your academic abilities and/or research experience.
Internship position 1: Quantitative Studies - GRACES, TARGET & SAFE-TECH
RESEARCH PROJECT 1
Project Title:
Grandparenting and Caregiving Exchanges in Sandwiched Families (GRACES)
Project Overview:
The research project is funded by the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF). Sandwiched families, or families supporting both grandparents and grandchildren, may be involved in intergenerational exchanges such as grandparenting and caregiving to grandparents, which have important implications for family formation and ageing-in-place policies in Singapore. The study will interview 600 Singaporean grandparents, aged 60 years and older, on their past, present, and potential intergenerational exchanges, including instrumental, socioemotional, and financial exchanges. Quantitative methods will be applied to describe the typologies of sandwiched families, and investigate their patterns of exchanges, leading to policy insights for family formation and ageing-in-place.
Responsibilities:
a) Contact potential survey respondents by phone to schedule interviews
b) Shadow and assist our staff with in-person interviews of older adult respondents
c) Conduct literature reviews and preliminary data analysis, and other aspects of quantitative research depending on the intern’s interest and aptitude for learning
d) Support the Centre’s education initiatives where required
e) Assist in ad-hoc duties as assigned by the supervisor
RESEARCH PROJECT 2
Project Title:
Assessment of Fall Risk: Targeted Assessment and Recruitment of Geriatrics for Effective fall prevention Treatments (TARGET)
Project Overview:
The research project is funded by National Research Foundation and in collaboration with ETH Zurich. The study is one out of six other research projects under Module 1 (Project 2) on early detection of health risks and prevention.
The primary goal of TARGET is to segment the population into different fall and fracture risk levels using a novel risk assessment tool which assesses each individual’s neurological and functional ability. By synergising novel wearable technology ZurichMOVE with the state-of-art machine/deep learning/statistical modelling approaches we will provide personalized assessment of fall risk in an ecologically valid manner.
Responsibilities:
a) Provide support in preliminary data analysis, and other aspects of quantitative research
b) Assist in the preparation of reports, manuscripts and presentations.
c) Support the Centre’s education initiatives where required.
d) Assist in ad-hoc duties as assigned by the supervisor.
RESEARCH PROJECT 3
Project Title:
Steps to Avoid Falls in the Elderly - a TECHnology enhanced intervention (SAFE-TECH)
Project Overview:
Health Services Design Lab (HSDL) and Centre for Ageing Research and Education (CARE) are working on a National Research Foundation collaborative research project with ETH Zurich to develop an individualized falls research program in a randomised controlled trial (RCT).
The goal of this project is to utilise novel wearable gait sensors developed by ETH Zurich to predict and reduce falls risk in older adults. We will first measure and characterize the falls risk domains in older adults from our large cohort of community dwelling adults from the Targeted Assessment and Recruitment of Geriatrics for Effective fall prevention Treatments (TARGET) study. We then aim to tailor and individualize the falls prevention program according to the falls risk factors identified.
Responsibilities:
a) Support in intervention material & logistic preparation.
b) Assist in conducting baseline and monthly data collection with participants at intervention sites.
c) Assist in ad-hoc duties as assigned by the supervisor.
Requirements for Projects 1 - 3:
a) Minimal commitment period is 12 weeks/3 months.
b) Previous experience in conducting interviews with older persons desirable but not necessary.
c) Possess strong written and verbal communication skills.
d) Fluent in English, or Mandarin, or Malay, or Tamil.
e) Previous experience in quantitative research and basic statistical analysis desirable but not necessary.
For NUS students, please apply through NUS TalentConnect, Job ID: 249061 and 249042
For non-NUS students, please click here to apply
Internship position 2: Qualitative Studies - ReCognition & Evaluate the ABCs of the Active Ageing Centre (AAC) Service Model
RESEARCH PROJECT 1
Project Title:
Exploring and Evaluating the Impact of ‘Refresh and Reconnect!’: A Museum-based Heritage Programme for Older Persons with Cognitive Impairment (ReCognition Study)
Project Overview:
This mixed-methods study evaluates the 6-week "Refresh and Reconnect!" programme (R&R!) for older persons living with cognitive impairment, a museum-based heritage programme including guided artist-led activities and tours of the National Museum of Singapore.
i) In the quantitative study, assessments will be conducted at 2 time points (pre-programme, post-programme) to evaluate cognitive, social, and mental well-being.
ii) In the qualitative study, ethnographic observations of the R&R! programme; ethnographic interviews with staff, volunteers & artists and in-depth interviews with Person with Cognitive Impairment (PWCIs) will be used to elicit the underlying context-mechanisms-outcomes which enable R&R!
The study aims to provide valuable insights into the development of effective, non-pharmacological interventions for PWCIs. These findings are of significant public health importance for Singapore, potentially informing policy decisions, resource allocation, and healthcare strategies to better support PWCIs, ultimately improving their quality of life. Findings of the study may also contribute to similar heritage-based programmes in future, contributing to the understanding of key elements of programme success, and for whom these programmes are effective for.
Responsibilities:
a) Assist in the conduct of baseline and post-programme assessment surveys for R&R! participants
b) Take comprehensive notes during ethnographic observations sessions or interviews, capturing the essence of discussions and significant insights shared by R&R! participants and stakeholders
c) Transcribe recorded interviews and focus group discussions accurately, maintaining confidentiality and data integrity.
d) Translate transcriptions of interviews as needed, ensuring the translation maintains the original meaning and context.
e) Support the Centre’s education initiatives where required.
f) Assist in ad-hoc duties as assigned by the supervisor.
RESEARCH PROJECT 2
Project Title:
A Qualitative Study to Understand and Evaluate the ABCs of the Active Ageing Centre (AAC) Service Model
Project Overview:
The research project is funded by Agency for Integrated Care. The study is dedicated to the advancement and evaluation of the Active Ageing Centre (AAC) model, which serve as community hubs for the older population. The project is committed to integrating evidence-based practices into the services offered by these centres, a practice not widely adopted in the current landscape.
The significance of this project lies in its potential to enable AAC service providers to implement programmes that are grounded in evidence-based approaches, considering the diverse social, economic, cultural, and health profiles of older persons.
Our primary objective is to thoroughly understand the contextual factors and underlying mechanisms that contribute to the successful operation of the AAC model in Singapore. By employing a Realist Evaluation framework, this study will critically assess the effectiveness of the AAC model and identify the elements that ensure its effective implementation.
Responsibilities:
a) Assist in the preparation of reports, and presentations; where possible, assisting to produce and edit infographics for the study deliverable
b) Transcribe recorded interviews and focus group discussions accurately, maintaining confidentiality and data integrity.
c) Translate transcriptions of interviews and Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) as needed, ensuring the translation maintains the original meaning and context.
d) Systematically organize and document data collected from FGDs and workshops, preparing it for analysis by the research team.
e) Support the research team by entering data into databases or spreadsheets for future reference and analysis.
f) Perform literature searches and reviews to provide background information for focus group discussion topics.
g) Carry out additional duties as assigned by the supervisor that support the project's goals related to AAC Service Providers.
h) Support the Centre’s education initiatives where required.
i) Assist in ad-hoc duties as assigned by the supervisor.
Requirements for Projects 1 - 2:
a) Minimal commitment period is 12 weeks/3 months.
b) Previous experience in conducting interviews with older persons or FGDs is desirable but not necessary.
c) Possess strong written and verbal communication skills.
d) Fluent in English, and Mandarin, Malay, or Tamil.
For NUS students, please apply through NUS TalentConnect, Job ID: 249065
For non-NUS students, please click here to apply