AI Researcher Internships
Ai researcher internships give university students, recent graduates, and early-career switchers hands-on project experience, mentorship from working research scientists, and, at many employers, a path toward a full-time offer. Openings are concentrated across Technology & Software, Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals, and Automotive, with ByteDance, Meta, and TikTok among the employers posting roles now.
Find AI Researcher InternshipsOverview
Showing 5 of 12+ AI Researcher Internships
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 Researcher Internship Market
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Technology & Software
- Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals
- Automotive
Tips for Your AI Researcher Internship Search
Apply earlier than the posting date suggests
Large employers running summer ai researcher intern cohorts open applications the preceding fall and close them months before the start date. Smaller companies and co-op programs post closer to start dates. Checking listings consistently and submitting as soon as a role opens puts you ahead of candidates who wait for a single recruiting season.
Build a portfolio before you send a single application
Hiring teams for ai researcher interns cannot assess work history you do not have, so give them something concrete instead. Document two or three independent projects with the models, datasets, and tools used, then link the code repositories, research write-ups, or published analyses directly from your resume. A visible, working project beats a blank experience section every time.
Work your campus network and apply directly at the same time
Campus 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 post publicly. Apply directly to companies running smaller cohorts in parallel, since many ai researcher intern positions are filled outside formal campus pipelines. The two approaches reach different pools of employers.
Practice your technical screen out loud before applying
Ai researcher intern interviews typically include a machine learning or algorithms screen, a research presentation, or both. Practice explaining your reasoning step by step while you work through problems, not just arriving at the right answer in silence. Interviewers weigh how you think through ambiguity and defend assumptions as much as they weigh the final output.
Target structured research intern programs at larger organizations
Many large technology companies and research labs run dedicated ai researcher intern cohorts designed to train people entering the field, including research scientist and applied science intern tracks. These programs recruit early, fill fast, and often include mentorship from full-time researchers. Identify the programs that match your academic background and apply during the first wave of recruiting.
Set your work-type filter before you start
On-site roles are 78% of the ai researcher internships listed here. Decide what you can realistically commit to, whether that is on-site, hybrid, or remote, before you begin searching. Filtering by location and work type upfront means you spend your time on roles you can actually accept, not sorting through listings after the fact.
AI Researcher Internships: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get an ai researcher internship?
Lead with coursework and personal projects rather than work history, since hiring teams expect limited experience at the intern level. For ai researcher candidates, a portfolio of documented experiments, models, or research write-ups gives recruiters something concrete to assess. Apply directly to companies you want to work for and attend campus career fairs, where recruiters often move faster for students they meet in person.
Can an ai researcher internship turn into a full-time job?
Many employers extend return offers to strong interns, but conversion is never guaranteed. What drives it for ai researcher interns is performance on real research work, available team headcount at the end of the summer, and timing your expression of interest early. Position yourself for the offer by delivering on your project and building relationships with the team, without counting on the outcome.
When should I apply for ai researcher internships?
Earlier than most candidates expect. Large tech and research employers open summer intern applications the preceding fall, sometimes as early as August or September. Smaller companies and co-op programs post much closer to start dates, so openings appear year-round. Checking listings consistently and applying as soon as a role opens is more effective than waiting for a single recruitment season.
Are ai researcher internships paid?
Most professional ai researcher internships in the U.S. are paid. Compensation varies by company size, industry, and location. Listings show pay ranges where the employer chooses to disclose them, so you can compare across openings as you search.
What should an ai researcher internship resume include?
Lead with projects, not work history. Describe two or three complete, documented projects with the tools, frameworks, and datasets used, and link to the work directly, such as a GitHub repository, a published paper, a research poster, or a documented experiment write-up. Add relevant coursework and keep the whole resume to one page.
Are there remote ai researcher internships?
Yes. Remote and hybrid roles make up 22% of the ai researcher internship listings here, with the rest on-site. Remote cohorts fill fast, so apply early once you find a role that fits. Filter by work type to see only the options that match what you can realistically commit to.
What is a research scientist intern program?
Several large technology and research organizations run dedicated research scientist intern programs aimed at PhD students and advanced-degree candidates new to industry research. These structured cohorts pair interns with staff researchers on active projects, recruit heavily during the fall for summer placements, and are among the most competitive intern tracks in the field. Identifying and applying to these programs in the first wave of recruitment gives you the strongest chance of a spot.
Can international students get ai researcher 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.
See All 12 AI Researcher Internship Jobs
Find roles that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find AI Researcher Internships