METU Internships Offer

The METU Internships Offer is an internship opportunity provided by the Middle East Technical University (METU) as part of the SUSA project, aimed at students pursuing BSc/MSc degrees in biology, molecular biology and genetics, engineering, or biomedical and bioinformatics fields. This initiative focuses on equipping students with practical experience in Artificial Intelligence (AI), Data Science, and Digital Health Technologies, specifically through projects involving Nextflow pipelines and SigProfiler tools for cancer genomics.

Eligible applicants are individuals enrolled in relevant degree programs. The funding mechanism is a grant, providing financial support of up to €610 for each intern, with a total budget of €30,500 available for approximately 50 internships. Each internship lasts for four weeks, totaling 160 hours, and can be conducted remotely or onsite at METU in Turkey.

The beneficiary scope is international, with no specific geographic restrictions mentioned regarding applicant nationality, though it is hosted at a Turkish institution. The target sector encompasses digital health and healthcare innovation, focusing on health data management, AI applications, and the development of advanced digital skills.

The application process includes an open call with multiple deadlines for submissions, specifically planned for seven calls from September 2025 to September 2028. Interested students must submit a CV and a motivation letter to METU via email.

The selection criteria are based on the applicant’s CGPA, technical skills, motivation letter, and the completion of any relevant SUSA courses. There is a single-stage application process, and no co-funding from applicants is required.

Overall, the METU Internships Offer provides a pathway for students to bridge the gap between academic knowledge and practical application in a fast-evolving field, culminating in a certificate issued by METU upon completion of the internship. Interns will gain hands-on experience in managing large-scale data, ensure workflow reproducibility, and develop expertise in bioinformatics tools, readying them for future careers in data-driven healthcare sectors.

The Middle East Technical University (METU) is offering Hands-On AI & Data Science Internships at the Informatics Institute, either remotely or on-site. The internships are part of the Sustainable Healthcare with Digital Health Data Competence (SUSA) project. These internships are not an EU action and are fully under the responsibility of METU.

The opening date for applications is June 30, 2025. There are multiple cut-off dates for applications: September 2, 2025 (03:59 Brussels time), January 3, 2026 (07:59 Brussels time), September 2, 2026 (03:59 Brussels time), January 3, 2027 (07:59 Brussels time), September 2, 2027 (03:59 Brussels time), January 3, 2028 (07:59 Brussels time), and September 2, 2028 (03:59 Brussels time).

The internship duration is 4 weeks (160 hours). A total funding of 30,500.00 EUR is available. The grant agreement number is 101190010. The topic is DIGITAL-2023-SKILLS-05-SPECIALEDU, focusing on specialized education programs in key capacity areas.

Eligible candidates are BSc/MSc students in Biology, Molecular Biology and Genetics, Engineering, and Biomedical-Bioinformatics.

The internships focus on Artificial Intelligence (AI), Data Science, and Digital Health Technologies. Interns will work with Nextflow pipelines integrated with container technologies like Docker and Singularity for analyses such as differential gene expression and differential ChIP-seq. They will also gain expertise with SigProfiler tools specialized in cancer genomics, including SigProfilerMatrixGenerator, SigProfilerSimulator, SigProfilerExtractor, SigProfilerAssignment, and SigProfilerTopography.

The delivery mode includes virtual, on-site, and hybrid options. Interns will work in small interdisciplinary teams under the guidance of mentors.

Interns will work on building robust Nextflow pipelines and mastering the SigProfiler Suite.

Technologies to be used include Python, R, Nextflow, and the SigProfiler suite of tools.

METU expects curiosity, a willingness to learn, Python programming knowledge, an interest in computational biology and bioinformatics, and teamwork skills from the interns.

Upon completion, interns will be able to design and implement Nextflow pipelines, master containerization technologies, ensure workflow reproducibility, manage large-scale data, and master the SigProfiler tools for cancer genomics analysis.

Assessment will be based on the completion of assigned tasks and active participation in projects. Interns will develop a mini research report or technical presentation at the end of the internship. An Internship Certificate will be issued by the Informatics Institute of Middle East Technical University.

Interested students should submit a short CV highlighting relevant skills and background, and a brief motivation letter (max. 1 page) explaining their interest in the internship. Applications should be sent to burcako@metu.edu.tr with the subject “SUSA Internship Application – [Your Name]”.

Financial support of up to 610 EUR per internship will be available to facilitate student mobility, according to METU's internal standards.

Internships must align with the thematic focus of the SUSA project, including digital health and healthcare innovation, health data management and interoperability, artificial intelligence applications in healthcare, and advanced digital skills development.

METU will apply its internal internship selection policies, ensuring transparency and alignment with institutional standards, with attention to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI).

Applicant scoring criteria are as follows: CGPA (50%), CV and Technical Skills (30%), Motivation Letter (10%), and Completion of any SUSA Courses (10%).

Seven internship calls are planned throughout the project.

In summary, this opportunity provides internships at the Informatics Institute of Middle East Technical University (METU) for students in Biology, Molecular Biology and Genetics, Engineering, and Biomedical-Bioinformatics. The internships focus on AI and Data Science within the context of digital health, offering hands-on experience with tools like Nextflow and the SigProfiler suite. Interns will work on real-world projects, develop critical skills, and receive financial support. The application process requires a CV and motivation letter, and selection is based on academic performance, technical skills, and interest in the field. The SUSA project aims to bridge the gap between academic knowledge and industry needs in the rapidly evolving field of data-driven digital health.

Eligible Applicant Types: The eligible applicant types are students enrolled in BSc/MSc programs in Biology, Molecular Biology and Genetics, Engineering, and Biomedical-Bioinformatics.

Funding Type: The funding type is a service contract, specifically an internship opportunity with financial support.

Consortium Requirement: This opportunity is for a single applicant, i.e., an individual student.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): The text does not explicitly define a geographic eligibility. However, the internship is offered by the Informatics Institute of Middle East Technical University (METU) and GNOMON Informatics SA, implying a focus on students who can participate either remotely or on-site at METU. The SUSA project supports student exchanges between Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), suggesting a broader scope that could include students from various locations participating in the Erasmus+ mobility initiative.

Target Sector: The target sectors are Artificial Intelligence (AI), Data Science, Digital Health Technologies, Medical Informatics, Bioinformatics, Data Informatics, and Information Systems, with a focus on applications in healthcare and cancer genomics.

Mentioned Countries: The text mentions Greece (through GNOMON Informatics SA) and Turkey (Middle East Technical University - METU).

Project Stage: The project stage is focused on development and practical application of skills, bridging the gap between academic knowledge and industry-ready skills. It aims to transform theoretical knowledge into practical skills.

Funding Amount: The maximum financial support for each third-party recipient (intern) at METU is €610 per internship. The total funding available for the project is €30,500.00.

Application Type: The application type is an open call, with multiple cut-off dates.

Nature of Support: Beneficiaries will receive both money (financial support of up to €610) and non-monetary services (hands-on experience, mentorship, training, and an internship certificate).

Application Stages: The application process involves submitting a CV and a motivation letter. The selection process includes evaluation based on CGPA (50%), CV and technical skills (30%), motivation letter (10%), and completion of any SUSA courses (10%). Therefore, there is one application stage.

Success Rates: The text does not provide specific success rates.

Co-funding Requirement: The text does not explicitly state a co-funding requirement from the applicant.

This opportunity is a hands-on AI and Data Science internship offered by the Informatics Institute of Middle East Technical University (METU) and GNOMON Informatics SA within the framework of the SUSA (Sustainable Healthcare with Digital Health Data Competence) project. It is targeted towards BSc/MSc students in Biology, Molecular Biology and Genetics, Engineering, and Biomedical-Bioinformatics. The internship can be conducted remotely or on-site at METU. The primary goal is to provide students with practical experience in Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, and Digital Health Technologies, specifically focusing on Nextflow pipelines and the SigProfiler suite of tools for cancer genomics analysis. Interns will work in interdisciplinary teams under the guidance of mentors. The program aims to equip students with industry-ready skills, bridging the gap between academic knowledge and practical application. Students will learn to design and implement Nextflow pipelines, master containerization technologies, ensure workflow reproducibility, manage large-scale data, and use SigProfiler tools. The application process involves submitting a CV and a motivation letter to [burcako@metu.edu.tr]. The selection criteria include CGPA, CV and technical skills, motivation letter, and completion of SUSA courses. Successful applicants will receive financial support of up to €610 and an internship certificate upon completion. The internship aligns with the thematic focus of the SUSA project, including digital health, healthcare innovation, health data management, AI applications in healthcare, and advanced digital skills development. There are multiple application deadlines throughout the project, with announcements made in June before the Fall semester. The total funding available for the project is €30,500.00.