https://studiegids.vu.nl/en/courses/2025-2026/XM_0047The aim is to obtain experience in scientific research including the design and execution of experiments and to critically interpret and reflect on the experimental results. The project will be conducted within the field of molecular and computational toxicology, in one of the following settings:University or Academic hospital Research institute CompanyThe internship can be performed either within the Netherlands or abroad.The specific content of the project depends on the available projects and timing of the internship, but roughly deals with one of the following areas of research:Biomolecular Simulation & Modeling (dr. Daan Geerke): computational methods are developed to characterize the interaction between compounds with different proteins and to predict their mode of binding and action. In close collaboration with the experimental colleagues within the division, a special focus is possible on predicting unwanted binding to drug-safety related proteins and/or the formation of metabolites by drug-metabolizing or biocatalytically active enzymes. The binding affinity and -selectivity of compounds and metabolites are calculated using efficient and accurate computational methods, and research on and development of improved biomolecular models or force fields is possible as well. In vitro cell toxicology (Prof. dr. Paul Jennings): Utilisation of cultured human cells, including primary cells, renal cell lines, hepatic cell lines and induced human pluripotent stem cells for investigating mechanisms of toxicity. Assays employed include, cytotoxicity assays, stress assays, differentiation markers, mitochondrial injury (Seahorse bioanalyser), barrier function, impedance (xCELLigence), fluorescent reporter assays, transcriptomics and biokinetics. Attention will be paid to setting up new research/experiments, using state-of-the-art experimental or computational techniques, and data analysis and interpretation.Literature review, formulating a research question, conducting experiments and/or simulation, documentation (e.g. labjournal, adherence to protocols, appropriate meta tagging and documentation of workflows), data analysis, reporting on results in group meetings, a written thesis and final presentation within the research group.The internship needs to be registered in the online internship management system, where progress and assessment is recorded. The following components are assessed and a minimum passing grade (5.5 or higher) must be obtained for each component: Academic attitude (15%), execution (35%), oral presentation (15%) and written thesis (35%).Starting literature will be provided by the supervisor. The first 1-2 weeks of the traineeship will be spent on literature reading and preparation for the project.Research variant of all specializations of the master Drug Discovery & SafetyThe number of internal (VU) internship positions is limited and there may be a selection procedure. Contact potential VU supervisors from the group for more information about internship opportunities. You can consult the canvas community “Master Drug Discovery Sciences” for more information about potential VU supervisors and the application procedure. Be aware that a selection procedure applies for most external internship positions as well. Before the start of an external project, the UNL internship agreement has to be signed by all involved parties and the project proposal has to be approved by the VU supervisor via the online internship management system. Sometimes an additional Non Disclosure agreement (NDA) needs to be signed as well. This process can be time-consuming and should, therefore, be started several months in advance. Consult the “Master Drug Discovery Sciences Internship manual” on Canvas for more information on the rules and regulations regarding internships. If, after reading the manual, you still have questions regarding the process related to internships, admission, approval, etc., please contact the internship coordinator via
[email protected].The length of a minor internship ranges from 18 to 36 EC (3-6 months) and can be (partly) incorporated within the optional part of the master program. For traineeships abroad and in companies a length of at least 30 EC is recommended. Consult the master coordinator of your track well in advance to discuss your personal education plan. See the “Master Drug Discovery Sciences Internship manual” for more information (rules, regulations, tips, etc.) on the internship process. This manual can be found on the canvas community “Master Drug Discovery Sciences”.Entry requirements with respect to attained courses and number of credits apply. See the Education and Examination regulations and the internship manual Drug Discovery Sciences. For questions, consult the internship coordinator well in advance (
[email protected]).