AI Research Scientist Internships
Ai research scientist internships give university students, recent graduates, and early-career switchers hands-on project experience building and evaluating models, mentorship from working research scientists, and, at many employers, a path toward a full-time offer. Roles are concentrated across Technology & Software, Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals, and Automotive, with ByteDance, Meta, and TikTok among the employers posting roles now.
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Research Scientist Intern, Embedded Contextual AI on Wearables (PhD) Responsibilities:
- Build and characterize experimental HW+SW systems on AR devices and device prototypes
- Develop embedded firmware and software in RTOS and mobile operating systems, e.g. AOSP
- Collaborate with other researchers and engineers across various disciplines
Minimum Qualifications:
- Currently has, or is in the process of obtaining a PhD in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or a related field
- Programming and simulation experience with languages such as C/C++ and Python
- Experience with computer architecture and HW/SW co-design and co-optimization
- Must obtain work authorization in the country of employment at the time of hire, and maintain on-going work authorization during employment
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience in HW+SW system prototyping using embedded device prototypes and FPGAs
- Experience in operating systems, drivers, and embedded firmware development
- Experience working in a machine learning framework, e.g. PyTorch
- Experience working and communicating cross functionally in a team environment
- Demonstrated embedded software experience via an internship, work experience, coding competitions, or widely used contributions in open source repositories (e.g. GitHub)
- Intent to return to degree-program after the completion of the internship/co-op
- Proven track record of achieving significant results as demonstrated by grants, fellowships, patents, as well as first-authored publications at leading workshops or conferences such as CVPR, ECCV/ICCV, SIGGRAPH, or similar
About Meta:
Meta builds technologies that help people connect, find communities, and grow businesses. When Facebook launched in 2004, it changed the way people connect. Apps like Messenger, Instagram and WhatsApp further empowered billions around the world. Now, Meta is moving beyond 2D screens toward immersive experiences like augmented and virtual reality to help build the next evolution in social technology. People who choose to build their careers by building with us at Meta help shape a future that will take us beyond what digital connection makes possible today—beyond the constraints of screens, the limits of distance, and even the rules of physics.Meta is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for candidates with disabilities in our recruiting process. If you need any assistance or accommodations due to a disability, please let us know at accommodations-ext@meta.com.
$7,313/month to $12,134/month + benefits
Individual compensation is determined by skills, qualifications, experience, and location. Compensation details listed in this posting reflect the base hourly rate, monthly rate, or annual salary only, and do not include bonus, equity or sales incentives, if applicable. In addition to base compensation, Meta offers benefits. Learn more about benefits at Meta.
Research Scientist Intern, Embedded Contextual AI on Wearables (PhD) Responsibilities:
- Build and characterize experimental HW+SW systems on AR devices and device prototypes
- Develop embedded firmware and software in RTOS and mobile operating systems, e.g. AOSP
- Collaborate with other researchers and engineers across various disciplines
Minimum Qualifications:
- Currently has, or is in the process of obtaining a PhD in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or a related field
- Programming and simulation experience with languages such as C/C++ and Python
- Experience with computer architecture and HW/SW co-design and co-optimization
- Must obtain work authorization in the country of employment at the time of hire, and maintain on-going work authorization during employment
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience in HW+SW system prototyping using embedded device prototypes and FPGAs
- Experience in operating systems, drivers, and embedded firmware development
- Experience working in a machine learning framework, e.g. PyTorch
- Experience working and communicating cross functionally in a team environment
- Demonstrated embedded software experience via an internship, work experience, coding competitions, or widely used contributions in open source repositories (e.g. GitHub)
- Intent to return to degree-program after the completion of the internship/co-op
- Proven track record of achieving significant results as demonstrated by grants, fellowships, patents, as well as first-authored publications at leading workshops or conferences such as CVPR, ECCV/ICCV, SIGGRAPH, or similar
About Meta:
Meta builds technologies that help people connect, find communities, and grow businesses. When Facebook launched in 2004, it changed the way people connect. Apps like Messenger, Instagram and WhatsApp further empowered billions around the world. Now, Meta is moving beyond 2D screens toward immersive experiences like augmented and virtual reality to help build the next evolution in social technology. People who choose to build their careers by building with us at Meta help shape a future that will take us beyond what digital connection makes possible today—beyond the constraints of screens, the limits of distance, and even the rules of physics.Meta is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for candidates with disabilities in our recruiting process. If you need any assistance or accommodations due to a disability, please let us know at accommodations-ext@meta.com.
$7,313/month to $12,134/month + benefits
Individual compensation is determined by skills, qualifications, experience, and location. Compensation details listed in this posting reflect the base hourly rate, monthly rate, or annual salary only, and do not include bonus, equity or sales incentives, if applicable. In addition to base compensation, Meta offers benefits. Learn more about benefits at Meta.
AI Research Scientist Internship Market
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Technology & Software
- Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals
- Automotive
- Healthcare & Medical Services
Tips for Your AI Research Scientist Internship Search
Apply in fall for the following summer
Large research labs and tech employers open ai research scientist intern recruiting as early as September for summer cohorts. Waiting until spring means the structured programs at those employers are already closed. Smaller companies and co-op programs post closer to start dates, so checking regularly through the year keeps you in contention for those roles too.
Build a portfolio before you apply
Hiring teams for ai research scientist interns have limited work history to evaluate, so your portfolio carries the most weight. Two or three documented projects with linked code repositories, experiment logs, or published notebooks showing your modeling choices and results give reviewers something concrete to assess. Name the frameworks and datasets you used so the work speaks for itself.
Work your campus network and apply directly at the same time
Campus career fairs surface structured intern programs tied to your university, and professors or career center staff often know which employers recruit from your school before roles appear publicly. Applying directly to companies running smaller research cohorts alongside campus activity widens the pool you reach and puts you in front of teams that don't attend university events.
Practice your technical screen out loud
AI research scientist intern interviews typically include a technical screen covering machine learning fundamentals, probability, and coding problems on data structures or algorithm design. Practice explaining your reasoning as you work through problems, not just arriving at an answer, since interviewers for research roles weigh how you think through ambiguous problems as much as the final result.
Target structured research intern programs early
Large employers run cohort-based ai research scientist intern programs designed to train people new to applied research, including PhD intern tracks and university research programs. These programs recruit early, fill fast, and offer mentorship and project ownership that ad-hoc intern roles often don't. Identify the ones aligned with your research interests and submit in the first application window.
Set your work-type filter before you start
On-site roles are 71% of the ai research scientist internships listed here. Decide what you can realistically commit to before you start sorting through listings. Filtering by location and work type upfront means you spend time on roles you can actually take rather than discovering a mismatch late in the process.
AI Research Scientist Internships: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get an ai research scientist internship?
Lead with coursework and personal projects rather than work history, since hiring teams expect limited experience at the intern level. The concrete artifact that gives recruiters something to assess is a public portfolio: linked code repositories, published notebooks, or documented experiments showing your modeling and research process. Pair direct applications with campus career fairs, where recruiters often move faster for students they meet in person.
Can an ai research scientist internship turn into a full-time job?
Many employers extend return offers to strong interns, but conversion is never guaranteed. What actually drives it for ai research scientist interns is performance on real research tasks, whether the team has open headcount at the time your internship ends, and how early in the summer you confirm your interest. Position for one by delivering results, but don't count on it when planning your job search.
When should I apply for ai research scientist internships?
Earlier than most candidates expect. Large tech and research employers open their summer intern recruiting the preceding fall, often with deadlines in October or November. Smaller companies and co-op programs post closer to start dates, so openings appear year-round. Checking regularly and applying as soon as a role opens gives you the best chance before cohorts fill.
Are ai research scientist internships paid?
Most professional ai research scientist internships in the U.S. are paid. Compensation varies by company size, industry, and location, and listings show it where the employer chooses to disclose it. Academic lab positions and some nonprofit roles may be unpaid or stipend-based, so read each listing carefully to understand what the employer is offering.
What should an ai research scientist internship resume include?
Lead with projects, not work history: two or three complete, documented projects naming the tools, datasets, and methods used, with links to your code or published work so the reviewer can assess your research process directly. Add relevant coursework such as machine learning, probability, or optimization. Keep everything to one page, and put the project links where a recruiter sees them immediately.
Are there remote ai research scientist internships?
Yes. Remote and hybrid roles make up 29% of the ai research scientist internship listings here, with the rest on-site. Remote cohorts fill fast because they attract applicants from across the country, so apply early and filter by work type to see them before they close.
What is an AI research scientist PhD intern program?
Several large research labs run structured PhD intern programs specifically for doctoral students in machine learning, computer vision, natural language processing, and related fields. These programs embed you in an active research team, target candidates earlier in their PhD, and are highly competitive. They recruit in the fall for the following summer, so identify the programs that fit your research area and apply in the first wave.
Can international students get ai research scientist internships?
Yes. F-1 students can intern through CPT while enrolled or through OPT work authorization after finishing a degree, and the employer does not have to file anything for either, so many companies are open to international interns. Confirm your eligibility and timing with your university's international student office before accepting an offer.
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