Applying for an Internship
Institute of Marine Sciences, METU, provides internship opportunities for the enthusiastic undergraduate students who would like to gain some background and experience about marine sciences.
Institute of Marine Sciences is a graduate school under Middle East Technical University, conducts research under three major areas; i) marine biology and fisheries, ii) marine geology and geophysics, and iii) oceanography. In each area of research, METU-IMS researches different properties of the marine environment. The scientific research is supported by national and international project fundings. Research is held through theoretical and practical studies, both in the laboratory environment and on the scientific research vessel possessed by the institute.
Institute of Marine Sciences offers internship opportunities all year round, both in summer and winter periods, to the undergraduate applicants. However, for summer and winter periods specifically, applicants should observe the application deadlines below:
|
Internship Subject |
Internship periods |
Application dates |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| General application |
Winter period |
January – February |
15 September - 30 November |
|
Summer period |
June – September |
15 February - 30 March |
|
| Sea Turtle Monitoring and Conservation |
Single Period |
May – October |
1 April – 20 May |
Following evaluation of internship applications during December (for the winter period), and during April (for the summer period), the applicants are informed about the success of their application.
Applications can be made within the scope of compulsory or voluntary internship.
For internship applications, you are required to complete the Internship Application Form and upload the necessary documents, including a recent academic CV, a statement of motivation, and a photograph.
For further inquiries, please feel free to contact us at staj@ims.metu.edu.tr
The students who are accepted to the internship program must personally submit the required documents taken from their universities to METU Graduate School of Marine Sciences. These documents are, but may not be limited to, the following:
- A compulsory internship document
- A document which shows that the intern student will get the insurance from his/her current university during the internship period
METU-IMS is not responsible for the accommodation, transportation and food needs of the interns. Yet temporary accommodation might be provided in case of there is empty lodges during their internship. However During working days lunch is served in the on-campus cafeteria (at intern's own expense) and a free-of-charge shuttle service is offered from and to the city of Mersin in the mornings and in the evenings.
METU-IMS- Sea Turtle Monitoring and Conservation Studies Internship Announcement
Two beaches (~1km) belonging to METU Marine Sciences Institute are among the nesting areas in the Mediterranean for two endangered sea turtle species worldwide. At the Institute of Marine Sciences, we carry out conservation studies by observing the nests made by sea turtles between May and October every year. In 2023, we recorded that a total of 1015 sea turtle hatchlings, including 254 Caretta caretta and 761 Chelonia mydas, reached the sea from our institute beaches, alive and healthy. For the 2025 nesting season, internship opportunities are offered to undergraduate/graduate students within the scope of "Sea Turtle Monitoring and Conservation Studies". The scope of work is determined as follows; the adult emergences by drone, determining the nest mouth and placing cages, observation and protection of the nest during the incubation period, follow-up of the hatchlings and nest opening. The trainee is expected to have experience or knowledge of sea turtle studies. During the internship, it is necessary to carry out research that will be carried out day and night. Interns who will participate in these studies will be provided with accommodation on campus. The minimum internship period is determined as 1 month. Since there will be free time in the middle of the day, enthusiastic undergraduate/graduate students who want to gain knowledge and experience in marine sciences will have the opportunity to participate in other studies at the Institute of Marine Sciences, during this free time.
Application dates: 1 April - 20 May
Internship period: May - October
