Call for Summer Venables Internships - Supported by Phil Venables (BSc Computer Science,1989) and YorRobots

There are 8-10 internships available at a value of £297 per week, for a period of 8 to 10 weeks, each. The goal of this initiative is to involve students from any department at the University of York in robotics research supervised by one or two academics, also from the University of York. We welcome applications from students or supervisors on topics related to the “Robotics” remit of EPSRC.

Watch the poster presentations from students that had a Venables Internship in 2021 (from 4:20 mins onwards).

Requirements for the project:

• Students interested in the opportunity should identify an academic (in any department) that is interested in supervising the work and can help to develop a research project. Students are more likely to be successful if they approach potential supervisors with their own idea for a project. Priority will be given to multi-disciplinary projects that involve a lead supervisor from any University of York Department and a secondary supervisor from a different research group at the University of York. If needed, please, contact
• Supervisors applications have to include a lead supervisor from any UoY Department and a secondary supervisor from a different group (in a UoY or non-UoY Department). New collaborations are very welcome. Supervisors do not have to name a student, but they can, and a named student is a positive point.

YorRobots@york.ac.uk for suggestions of prospective supervisors. The members of the YorRobots Executive Committee may also be able to provide advice regarding colleagues in their own department.

A final report on the results of the project will be requested in October. Students will also be expected to present a poster describing their work in an event on 26 October, 2022 from 2 to 4, when prizes will be given for the best presentation, best poster, and best work.

An information event is being held on the 20 April 2022 at 12 noon (CSE 082X).  This is an opportunity to find out more, ask questions and meet supervisors.

Book now

How to apply

• Applicants should complete the application form and write an outline of the project. This should be 1 page A4 (pt. 11). It should explain the context of the project, research outline, and expected outcome and impact.  Supervisors should comment on how they plan to take the work forward beyond the end of the internship.
• Student applicants should also attach a copy of their transcript.
• Students must be studying at undergraduate level and be a registered student of UoY.
• Project costs are to be spent on the student, so consumables need to be found from other sources by the supervisor(s).
• Project duration is expected to be 8 to 10 weeks between June and September.

Deadline for submission is 30 April.

Applications will be reviewed by the members of the YorRobots Executive Committee. Successful applicants will be notified by 15 May.

If you have any queries, please email them to YorRobots@york.ac.uk

Department looking for interns

BioArCh is a cutting edge, multi-disciplinary unit within the Department of Archaeology focused on the biomolecular analysis of archaeological specimens, including human and faunal remains, ancient plants, ceramic vessels, and more. We are experts in the fields of ancient DNA (aDNA) and palaeoproteomics, and are eager to work with a Venables intern to develop laboratory automation using our open source liquid handling robot, the OT-2 from Opentrons. We have had great success with our previous Venables intern who has gone on to a position in automation right here at the University of York, and if you work with us you will be offered in-depth training and guidance during your internship from our lecturers and technical support staff who have expertise in everything from molecular biology to programming and bioinformatics.

For general information about BioArCh, please see our internal web page. To discuss internship opportunities and project ideas, please contact Dr. Jessica Hendy (palaeoproteomics) and Dr. Nathan Wales (palaeogenomics/aDNA).