Research Intern - Bioinformatics & Computational Biology

A Research Intern position is available in the department of Bioinformatics & Computational Biology.

The research intern will contribute to the continued development of DrBioRight, an AI-powered, multi-agent bioinformatics platform designed to enable natural language-based cancer omics data analysis, visualization, and interpretation. DrBioRight integrates large-scale multi-omics datasets (genomic, transcriptomic, proteomic, and clinical) with advanced AI models to facilitate precision oncology research and translational discovery.

The intern will work closely with computational biologists and software engineers in Dr. Han Liang's group to : Assist in the design, implementation, and testing of new analytical modules within the DrBioRight platform (e.g., pathway enrichment, mutation impact modeling, or biomarker analysis). Participate in the development of AI- and LLM-driven conversational interfaces that enable users to query biological datasets through natural language. Help curate and integrate multi-omics datasets from resources such as TCGA, CPTAC, and CCLE into structured, queryable formats. Contribute to visual analytics tools for rendering interactive biological networks, survival plots, and protein expression maps.

Perform benchmarking and documentation to ensure reproducibility and user accessibility.

All duties and responsibilities are carried out in compliance with institutional policies, ethical research standards, and applicable federal and state regulations.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

By the end of the internship, the student is expected to :

Gain practical experience in computational cancer genomics and AI-assisted data analytics.

Develop skills in Python-based bioinformatics programming, data visualization, and software development workflows (GitHub, APIs, containerization).

Understand the principles of multi-omics integration, systems biology modeling, and precision oncology applications.

Learn to operate within an interdisciplinary research environment, bridging computational, biological, and clinical perspectives.

Contribute tangible code or data modules to the DrBioRight platform, potentially leading to co-authorship on publications or software releases.

This internship provides an opportunity to participate in the cutting edge of AI-driven cancer informatics, offering both technical skill development and exposure to translational biomedical research.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

Applicant must hold a bachelor's or master's degree. The degree must have been obtained recently (within one year).

Applicants from biological sciences with strong computational or programming experience are also encouraged to apply.

Technical Skills :

Proficiency in at least one programming language commonly used in bioinformatics (e.g., Python, R, or JavaScript).

Familiarity with data analysis, machine learning, or natural language processing frameworks is advantageous.

Experience with data visualization tools (e.g., Plotly, Dash, D3.js) and version control systems (e.g., Git / GitHub) is desirable.

Basic understanding of genomic, transcriptomic, or proteomic datasets is preferred.

Analytical and Research Abilities :

Strong interest in AI applications in biomedical research and enthusiasm for learning interdisciplinary methods.

Ability to handle large datasets, follow computational workflows, and document results clearly.

Good problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and willingness to engage in collaborative, iterative software development.

Other Requirements :

Commitment to a minimum internship duration of 12-24 weeks (longer appointments preferred).

Strong communication skills and ability to work effectively in a multidisciplinary research environment.

Eligible to work or train at MD Anderson Cancer Center (students from U.S. or international institutions may apply, subject to institutional and visa requirements).

These requirements ensure that the intern can meaningfully contribute to the DrBioRight AI bioinformatics platform while gaining advanced training in computational oncology and AI-assisted data science.

ADDITIONAL APPLICATION INFORMATION

Dr. Han Liang's research program focuses on computational and systems oncology, integrating multi-omics, functional proteomics, and artificial intelligence to uncover the molecular mechanisms of cancer and enable precision diagnosis and therapy. His group develops and applies innovative computational methods to analyze large-scale genomic, transcriptomic, proteomic, and clinical data, with the goal of translating complex molecular insights into clinically actionable knowledge. A central theme of Dr. Liang's work is the AI-driven integration of multi-modality data to elucidate cancer biology and therapeutic resistance. His program has pioneered several large-scale initiatives, including the TCPA, and DrBioRight, an AI-powered, multi-agent platform that enables natural language-based cancer omics analysis and visualization.

POSITION INFORMATION

Offsite work arrangements are subject to approval and may be modified or revoked at any time based on business needs, performance considerations, or regulatory requirements.

This position may be responsible for maintaining the security and integrity of critical infrastructure, as defined in Section 113.001(2) of the Texas Business and Commerce Code and therefore may require routine reviews and screening. The ability to satisfy and maintain all requirements necessary to ensure the continued security and integrity of such infrastructure is a condition of hire and continued employment.

It is the policy of The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center to provide equal employment opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, age, national origin, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity / expression, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or any other basis protected by institutional policy or by federal, state or local laws unless such distinction is required by law.