METU Internships Offer

Within the framework of the SUSA project, two partners—METU and GNOMON Informatics SA —will offer internships to degree program students. Below is a consolidated explanation of the criteria, procedures, and financial mechanisms that will govern the provision of third-party financial support related to these internships.

For METU, the maximum amount of financial support for each third-party recipient is set at €610 per internship, in accordance with internal standards for internship remuneration and as aligned with the granting authority’s guidelines.

This call (as well as the financial support that will be provided through it) is NOT an EU action. This call is launched solely by MIDDLE EAST TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY (METU). The financial support to the selected successful applicants will be provided directly by METU in its own name and under its own responsibility. METU’s own responsibility includes the preparation and drafting of this call as well as the selection of successful applicants that will receive the said financial support. The publication of this call in the EU Funding & Tenders Portal is made solely for information purposes with the aim to increase the visibility of this call to the general public, including to potential applicants (i.e. students). The said publication shall not be construed as direct or indirect approval of the content and conditions of this call by the relevant EU authorities or as any form of waiver from the above-described responsibility of METU.

METU’s financial support amount is derived from internal remuneration benchmarks for student internships.

For both METU and GNOMON, internships must be aligned with the thematic focus of the SUSA project, including but not limited to:

• Digital health and healthcare innovation

• Health data management and interoperability

• Artificial intelligence applications in healthcare

• Advanced digital skills development and practical application of SUSA educational content

Internship positions will be open to students enrolled in degree programs, with a focus on engineering and health-related disciplines that are relevant to the SUSA learning objectives.

To align with academic cycles and optimize visibility, seven internship calls are planned throughout the project. Announcement will be published in June 2025 before the start of the Fall 2025-2026 academic semester with the following cutoff dates:

• September 2025

• January 2026

• September 2026

• January 2027

• September 2027

• January 2028

• September 2028

INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITY

TITLE OF INTERNSHIP: Hands-On AI & Data Science Internships

LOCATION:

Remote (Virtual) or On-Site at Informatics Institute of Middle East Technical University

DURATION: 4 weeks

ELIGIBLE CANDIDATES: Biology, Molecular Biology and Genetics, Engineering, and Biomedical - Bioinformatics Students (BSc/MSc)

OVERVIEW

The Informatics Institute provides a unique research and learning environment across the interdisciplinary fields of medical informatics, bioinformatics, data informatics, and information systems.

We're offering exciting internship opportunities for students passionate about Artificial Intelligence (AI), Data Science, and Digital Health Technologies. This hands-on experience will deeply immerse you in:

• Nextflow Pipelines: You'll work with NextFlow computational workflows, seamlessly integrated with container technologies like Docker and Singularity, for critical analyses such as differential gene expression and differential ChIP-seq.

• SigProfiler Suite: You'll gain expertise with the powerful SigProfiler tools specialized in cancer genomics, including SigProfilerMatrixGenerator, SigProfilerSimulator, SigProfilerExtractor, SigProfilerAssignment, and SigProfilerTopography.

This experience will transform your theoretical knowledge into practical, in-demand skills, preparing you for a successful career in data-driven scientific fields.

DELIVERY MODE & WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Virtual Internships: A cost-effective alternative allowing students to work remotely.

• On-Site Internships: Available in the classroom at the Informatics Institute for students who prefer in-person collaboration.

• Hybrid Approach: Combining remote and on-site work for flexibility.

Interns will work in small interdisciplinary teams under the guidance of mentors, engaging in collaborative research and development.

WHAT YOU WILL WORK ON

• Building Robust Nextflow Pipelines: Developing and optimizing Nextflow computational workflows that leverage Docker and Singularity container technologies. These pipelines will be crucial for performing advanced analyses like differential gene expression and differential ChIP-seq.

• Mastering the SigProfiler Suite: Becoming proficient with a suite of powerful SigProfiler tools, specifically SigProfilerMatrixGenerator, SigProfilerSimulator, SigProfilerExtractor, SigProfilerAssignment, and SigProfilerTopography.

TECHNOLOGIES YOU’LL USE

• Python, R

• Nextflow

• SigProfiler suite of tools

WHAT WE EXPECT FROM YOU

• Curiosity and willingness to learn

• Python programming knowledge

• Interest in computational biology and bioinformatics

• Teamwork skills

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Upon completion, interns will:

✅ Design & Implement Nextflow Pipelines.

✅ Master Containerization Technologies.

✅ Ensure Workflow Reproducibility.

✅ Manage Large-Scale Data.

✅ Mastering the powerful SigProfiler tools for cancer genomics analysis.

ASSESSMENT & CERTIFICATION

• Completion of assigned tasks and active participation in projects.

• Development of a mini research report or technical presentation at the end of the internship.

• Issuance of an Internship Certificate by the Informatics Institute of Middle East Technical University.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Interested students should submit:

📌 A short CV highlighting relevant skills and background.

📌 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]”

For more details, visit contact [burcako@metu.edu.tr].

This internship offers a unique opportunity to fill the gap between foundational academic knowledge and the practical, industry-ready skills required to excel in the rapidly evolving landscape of data-driven digital health.

Financial support will be available to facilitate student mobility. SUSA students will have access to internship opportunities offered by both consortium members and affiliated ecosystem partners. The selection criteria for these internships will be developed collaboratively through a co-design process and will incorporate Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) principles, with particular attention to gender and the socio-economic background of applicants.

Student exchanges between Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) will be further supported through a structured and mentored Erasmus+ mobility initiative. To assist students in planning their mobility paths, joint SUSA learning activities will be organized. Additionally, the SUSA Virtual Academy will host a dedicated matchmaking platform, enabling students and teachers to explore internship opportunities and allowing healthcare ecosystem stakeholders to promote openings and connect with emerging talent.