By Jessica Klemeier

The year 2024 marks not only the 50^th anniversary of EMBL’s founding but also the 10^th anniversary of the traineeship collaboration between EMBL IT Services and University College Cork (UCC), Ireland. As we celebrate this milestone, let us use this opportunity to reflect on the impact this programme has had on its participants and also on EMBL IT Services, by diving into the perspectives of several current and former trainees.

A unique working environment – embracing diversity and collaboration

Traineeships can be transformative experiences for aspiring professionals, offering invaluable opportunities to gain practical skills, build confidence, and establish a clear career path. During the third year of their undergraduate studies, computer science students at UCC complete work placements at companies such as Google, IBM, Jaguar Land – or EMBL IT Services – to enhance the students’ employability and practical skills. 

For EMBL IT Services, this long-standing collaboration enriches the department with young IT talents who not only support the team in their daily tasks but also on interesting and innovative projects, e.g. the development of the Software Shop. Starting in March each year, the students work full-time at EMBL for a period of six months. “Providing these students with a meaningful practical learning experience is part of IT Services’ contribution to EMBL’s training mission,” Rupert Lück, Head of IT Services, explained.

The work environment at EMBL IT Services is distinctive, especially since it prioritises the needs of EMBL’s researchers. Alex Kelleher, former trainee and now Systems Engineer at EMBL IT Services, remarked, “Working here is quite different from working at a regular tech company like most of my peers. EMBL IT Services has different priorities, which makes working here very rewarding.”

Another outstanding aspect of the traineeship at EMBL is the diversity of people and backgrounds. Currently, the IT team includes individuals from 18 different nations, creating a rich cultural tapestry. Aidan Donegan, a former trainee, said, “Working with so many different people from all over the world with such diverse backgrounds was really enjoyable; everyone was so friendly and welcoming, it made it easy to fit in.” This sentiment was echoed by many trainees, who also noted that this diverse environment enriched their learning and personal growth.

In addition, the supportive and collaborative atmosphere fosters a sense of belonging and teamwork. “I enjoy the amount of cooperation and communication in the offices which makes work so much easier,” Cian Hodnett, one of the current trainees, noted. “Your ideas and suggestions are valued, making you feel like a part of the team,” said David Wilson, another current trainee.

Beyond their professional growth, the trainees also enjoy the vibrant social life at EMBL. “Working at EMBL offers plenty of opportunities to socialise, as there are regular events, beer sessions, and plenty of clubs you can join,” Meabh Doyle, a trainee at IT Services, remarked. “Through the EMBL clubs, I discovered dance classes in Heidelberg where I’ve made lots of friends.”

Institutional support and a successful partnership

The initial contact between UCC and EMBL was established through Ciaran Behan, Senior Technology Development Specialist in EMBL’s Boulin Group until 2014. He and colleagues at UCC organised a programme where the best engineering students from Cork University could complete a work placement at EMBL. This has been very successful over the years. By 2014, word had spread, and EMBL IT Services decided to take in a computer science trainee for the first time. Will Murphy – now a staff member at IT Services, completed his six-month traineeship at EMBL Heidelberg a year later.

Clodagh Kerr, former coordinator of the computer science work placement programme at UCC, described Murphy’s presence, representing EMBL, at career fairs over the following years as one of the driving forces for the growth of the collaboration: “He promoted the very supportive environment and accommodation in EMBL guest house, which really facilitated the uptake among the next batches of students.” As a result, almost consistently from 2017 onwards, there have been three trainees per year (other than a few exceptional years, e.g. during the pandemic).

EMBL’s commitment to making students feel welcome has been a cornerstone of this programme’s success. The provision of support, including accommodation and job tickets, ensures equal opportunities for all students, making it feasible for them to undertake the traineeship abroad without financial strain.

The university values EMBL IT Services not just for its support but also for its reputation. The annual presentations by staff members and former trainees at the networking event have contributed significantly to this positive image, making EMBL one of the most consistent and respected partners in the programme.

Impact on career path

The traineeship is structured to help individuals grow both professionally and personally. From the outset, trainees are trusted with significant responsibilities. “It gave me a lot of confidence in my own abilities,” Donegan remembered. “From day one, you got to work on real products that would be used by various teams.” The flexibility and independence in the work environment, coupled with access to the latest technologies, were also significant benefits highlighted by former students. “Here at EMBL, I was eased into my role and felt prepared to offer the best of my skills while not being afraid to ask and learn as I go,” Hodnett added.

Such experiences also have a lasting impact on the students’ careers, as Kerr explains: “When you’re in it, you don’t realise what you learned, but the impact comes later. You become braver in your career choices.” Karim Ulmann, who was a trainee in 2022, agreed: “This internship solidified my passion for software development, and it became clear to me that I wanted to pursue this field full-time after university.”

For others, it has broadened their horizon with regards to potential career choices. “I’ve also found out about more paths that are available in both further education and the tech field that I didn’t know about before,” Meabh Doyle reflected. “For example, I’ve spoken to people at EMBL who also did their undergraduate degree in computer science and then went on to do their postgraduate studies in bioinformatics or biomedical engineering. I wasn’t really aware of this as a path before, so it’s nice to learn that these options are there.”

When asked to summarise their traineeship experience in one statement, the responses were overwhelmingly positive. For example, Wilson called it “challenge-fuelled learning, where every obstacle is a chance to grow”, and Ulmann described it as “one of the most unique and memorable internship experiences around”.

The traineeship program at EMBL IT Services offers a holistic and enriching experience that goes beyond technical skills. It provides a platform for personal growth, fosters a supportive and collaborative work environment, and leaves a lasting impact on the career paths of its participants. As Murphy succinctly put it, EMBL provides the trainees “with an unparalleled opportunity to grow both professionally and personally, while providing the chance to work with brilliant minds from around the globe.”