Internship

Master's thesis research position based in Groningen, full-time (40 hours). The research focuses on billing, metering, and cost/collaboration models for federated clouds. The role is embedded in an ambitious, multidisciplinary team building a federated cloud with European partners.

• Master's-level student in cloud computing, computer science, or a related field.
• Strong enthusiasm for cloud technologies and modern cloud architectures.
• Motivation to pioneer European digital sovereignty and open cloud ecosystems.
• Able to work independently, structure research, and drive progress proactively.
• Interest in interoperability, portability, and open standards within multi-cloud environments.
• For this position a security clearance (VGB) issued by the AIVD is required after a security screening; this process may take about eight weeks and may take longer if you have been abroad for more than six consecutive months or if you are not a Dutch national.

• Take ownership of the research track on billing, metering, and cost/collaboration models for federated clouds.
• Survey the state of the art and extract requirements from real-world use cases.
• Design and prototype metering and billing mechanisms that function across providers.
• Model and compare cost- and revenue-sharing schemes, for example clearing/settlement across participants.
• Validate interoperability and portability against open interfaces and run small-scale experiments on a federated testbed.
• Engage stakeholders to refine assumptions and translate findings into actionable design choices.
• Deliver results in a clear thesis and, where possible, reusable artifacts that advance an open cloud ecosystem.

• Proper supervision and scope for personal and professional development during the placement.
• A highly professional, innovative internship environment within a team of experts.
• Suitable internship allowance (615 euro for full-time internships at the indicated study levels).
• Possibility of eight hours of free leave per internship month for full-time internships.
• Free membership of a young professionals network offering activities and courses.
• Use of a laptop.
• Allowance for travel expenses if no public transport card is provided.

The employer innovates for a healthier, safer and more sustainable life and for a strong economy, making knowledge and technology available for the common good. The organisation values wonder, ingenuity and pushing boundaries, offering space and support for talent and ambition and providing state-of-the-art facilities. The culture is curious, pragmatic and open-ecosystem-minded, collaborating with industry, research, and public-sector stakeholders and valuing inclusive diversity to develop impactful innovations.

The ECOFED team is an ambitious, multidisciplinary group combining cloud engineering, architecture, economics and standards expertise to build a real federated cloud with European partners.