Internships

We are seeking applications from researchers and dRTPs working in N8 partner institutions to submit proposals for consideration as our summer internship projects. You can find all the required information and a link to the application form on this webpage: N8 CIR Internship application for researchers and digital research technical professionals.

There is a short window to submit your application, so make sure you don't miss out!

Our internship initiative presents a unique opportunity for students to participate in cutting-edge computational research projects in the penultimate year of their undergraduate studies or immediately after graduation. They are available at each of the N8 universities and focus on the use of High Performance Computing to accelerate research.

At the end of the internship period, interns meet to showcase their research in the presence of academic and research software engineering supervisors from across the N8. This provides a very diverse audience and makes for some interesting conversations where the underlying methodologies for the research may be similar, but the applications vary widely.

These projects are for any student currently studying at an N8 university, which includes Durham, Lancaster, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle, Sheffield, and York. They are not exclusively for computer science undergraduates, and we welcome applications from any degree course.

Interns will have the chance to:​

• Enhance their coding and technical skills through practical applications
• Gain firsthand experience of research methodologies and the software engineering field.​
• Collaborate with leading academics and professionals in the field.​
• Contribute to impactful projects with real-world applications.​
• Improve their presentation skills and discuss their projects with researchers from a variety of fields

Four internships will be awarded to undergraduates at each institution for 2026, and applications are very competitive. A list of available projects will be advertised to students on our web pages from Monday, 16 March. The projects must be completed over any 8 weeks between June and September, and the stipend for students will be £3,500. If you are interested in applying, please bookmark this page and set yourself a reminder!

"Prior to beginning my project, I had no previous coding experience. However, over the course of the internship, I received invaluable guidance from the Research Computing team, which allowed me to successfully create a Python-based prototype sentiment analysis software."

"In addition to the technical skills gained, I've had the opportunity to collaborate with PhD students, offering an opportunity to engage in a research-oriented, team-based environment. This collaborative setup has not only enhanced my understanding of applied machine learning workflows but also helped me develop essential skills in communication, project coordination, and peer learning within a research setting."

"Before the internship, I was not aware of the research software engineering role, and I am now considering it as a potential career path."

"I feel like my skillset and technical ability have significantly widened; as a result, I feel much more rounded and versed to work with supervisors in a team."

"I have developed both individually and professionally, gaining coding skills, furthering my self-management abilities, and becoming better at responding to feedback and problem-solving."

"I had the opportunity to strengthen my software engineering skills, which was challenging to do in a short timeframe, but an experience I thoroughly enjoyed."

"It's made me consider being a researcher, whether that be in a university lab, a doctoral candidate, or in industry."

"I think my programming skills have developed massively. It has also made me feel more confident that I could apply for roles that are more related to research software engineering, and better know what aspects I enjoy. Coming from outside of this field, I do recognise that I have much more to learn, but feel that this internship has been a crucial stepping stone."