We are always interested in meeting motivated candidates eager to explore potential opportunities within our team. The group is based at the METU Informatics Institute in Ankara, Türkiye, and we work on the computational systems biology of ageing, at the intersection of ageing, the microbiome, and computational biology.
We do not currently have fully funded positions open. As they come along, we will advertise them here. In the meantime, have a look at the self-funded and fellowship routes listed below — if one of them fits you, we are glad to work on the application together.
Whichever stage you are at, write to Melike and be specific about why your background fits our team and what questions we could explore together.
Postdoctoral researchers
What we look for. A completed PhD, or one close to completion, and your own view of what you want to work on. We are particularly interested in postdoctoral researchers who have established experience and knowledge in wetlab but are interested in collaborating with a computational lab to develop hybrid projects. Candidates from non-biological disciplines such as mathematics, computer science or statistics are equally welcome.
What to send. Your CV, a cover letter, a brief description of the project area you would want to pursue and why this group is the right environment for it, a Google Scholar link, a GitHub profile link if you are applying for a computational position, and the names and contact details of three referees.
Funding routes. Most postdocs join on a fellowship they hold themselves. These can all be held at METU:
- MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships
- EMBO Postdoctoral Fellowships
- TÜBİTAK 2236-A CoCirculation3
- TÜBİTAK 2218 National Postdoctoral Research Fellowship Programme
Write to us early — these applications are written together, and the good ones take time.
PhD students
PhD admission runs on two tracks, and you need both.
The formal track. You apply to the METU Graduate School of Informatics, not to the group. The Institute runs several graduate programmes, so talk to us before you apply and we will work out together which one is the right route. The Graduate School requires an ALES or GRE score, proof of English proficiency, notarised transcripts for both your undergraduate and graduate degrees, two reference letters, and a letter of intention. Deadlines are fixed and published under important dates — check them early, because they drive everything else.
The above is a summary for orientation only. The Graduate School of Informatics pages are the authoritative source on requirements, scores and deadlines: where anything here differs from what they say, follow them.
The group track. Admission to the Graduate School does not by itself mean joining our group. We run our own process to work out whether the fit is right, so get in touch while you prepare your application rather than after. Send your CV, transcripts, a short account of what you want to work on, and the names and contact details of two referees.
The two run in parallel, so start both in good time.
Funding routes.
MSc students
The formal track. As for PhD candidates, you apply to the METU Graduate School of Informatics rather than to the group, and which programme to apply for is worth settling with us first. You will need an ALES or GRE score, English proficiency, transcripts, two reference letters, and a letter of intention, by the published deadlines.
As above, this is a summary for orientation only — the Graduate School of Informatics pages are authoritative, and where anything here differs, follow them.
The group track. Again, being admitted is not the same as having a place in the group. Contact us in parallel with your application so we can discuss which projects would suit you. Send your CV, transcripts, a paragraph on what draws you to ageing/computational research, and the names and contact details of two referees.
What we look for. A background in biology, computer science, statistics, engineering or a related field, and some programming experience — or clear evidence that you are willing to build it quickly.
Funding routes.
BSc students and summer interns
What we look for. Curiosity, and enough programming to be dangerous — vibe coding doesn’t count! You do not need prior research experience. Be concrete about what you want to learn and roughly when you are available, since these are short stays and we can only host a few at a time.
What to send. A short email with your CV, your availability, and a few sentences on what interests you about the group’s work. A GitHub profile helps if you have one.
Funding routes. Internships are normally self-funded or supported by your home institution.
This depends on arrangements we would need to check first, so talk to us before planning around it.
Calls, deadlines and eligibility rules change every year. Always check the programme’s own page before relying on anything above, and tell us what you are applying for so we can help you get the timing right.