J-1 Visa Research Scientist Jobs
Research Scientist roles in the U.S. are accessible through J-1 visa sponsorship under the Research Scholar or Short-Term Scholar category, administered by a State Department-designated sponsor organization. Your host institution conducts the research; the sponsor issues your DS-2019 and oversees program compliance throughout your exchange.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
Research Scientist Intern – TikTok Search / Generative AI (LLM) - Global Frontier Tech Recruitment Program - 2027 Start (PhD)
LOCATION
Location:
San Jose
EMPLOYMENT TYPE
Employment Type:
Intern
JOB CODE
Job Code:
A29723
Responsibilities
About the team
The TikTok Search team is responsible for delivering a world-class search experience across TikTok’s global ecosystem. Our mission is to connect users with the most relevant and high-quality content through advanced technologies in search ranking, recommendation, and multimodal understanding. As a campus hire, you will collaborate with top engineers and researchers to solve challenging problems at scale, working across the full stack of search—from content understanding and retrieval to ranking and user experience optimization.
Project Overview, Challenges & Value
With the rapid evolution of pre-trained large models, TikTok Search is advancing toward a new paradigm of AI-native search. Traditional search systems face increasing limitations when handling massive-scale data, multimodal content (video, text, image), and complex user intents. This project focuses on building a next-generation generative search system powered by large models to significantly enhance search intelligence and user experience.
Key focus areas include:
- Integrating large models with ranking systems to improve personalization and relevance.
- Developing end-to-end generative search models based on multimodal pretraining.
- Exploring large model–driven agent frameworks to better support complex, ambiguous, and multi-turn search scenarios.
Key challenges include:
- Personalized ranking: Fully leveraging multimodal signals beyond traditional model capacity.
- Ultra-large-scale retrieval and ranking: Scaling search systems to efficiently handle hundreds of billions of candidates.
- Complex query understanding: Accurately interpreting long, ambiguous, and multi-turn queries to improve user satisfaction.
Project Value:
- Technical Value: Drive innovation in large model–powered search architecture and enable agent-based AI search systems.
- Business Value: Significantly improve search relevance and user satisfaction, strengthening TikTok’s search engagement and long-term growth.
We are looking for talented individuals to join our team in 2027. As an intern, you will get opportunities to pursue bold ideas, tackle complex challenges, and unlock limitless growth. Launch your career where inspiration is infinite at our Company.
Successful candidates must be able to commit to an onboarding during the summer 2027. Please state your availability clearly in your resume.
Responsibilities
- Support the development of AI search systems using large models (LLMs).
- Assist in improving ranking, personalization, and relevance in search.
- Contribute to generative and multimodal search models (video, text, image).
- Explore LLM-based approaches for complex and multi-turn queries.
- Help optimize retrieval and ranking performance at scale.
- Collaborate with mentors and cross-functional teams to prototype and evaluate solutions.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Currently pursuing a PhD in Computer Science, Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence, or related fields.
- Solid foundation in machine learning, deep learning, or information retrieval.
- Familiarity with at least one of the following: LLMs, NLP, search/recommendation, or multimodal learning.
- Proficiency in Python and experience with ML frameworks (e.g., PyTorch, TensorFlow).
- Strong problem-solving skills and willingness to learn in a fast-paced environment.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Research experience demonstrated through projects, publications, or open-source contributions.
- Experience with large-scale data, model training, or system implementation.
- Exposure to search, recommendation, or ads systems.
- Experience with multimodal models or generative AI applications.
- Interest in LLMs, agent-based systems, or end-to-end AI applications.
- Previous internship or research experience in industry or labs.
JOB INFORMATION
【For Pay Transparency】Compensation Description (Hourly) - Campus Intern
The hourly rate range for this position in the selected city is $60 - $60.
Benefits may vary depending on the nature of employment and the country work location. Interns have day one access to health insurance, life insurance, wellbeing benefits and more. Interns also receive 10 paid holidays per year and paid sick time (56 hours if hired in first half of year, 40 if hired in second half of year). Interns who are not working 100% remote may also be eligible for housing allowance.
The Company reserves the right to modify or change these benefits programs at any time, with or without notice.
FOR LOS ANGELES COUNTY (UNINCORPORATED) CANDIDATES:
Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with all federal, state, and local laws including the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act. Our company believes that criminal history may have a direct, adverse and negative relationship on the following job duties, potentially resulting in the withdrawal of the conditional offer of employment:
-
Interacting and occasionally having unsupervised contact with internal/external clients and/or colleagues;
-
Appropriately handling and managing confidential information including proprietary and trade secret information and access to information technology systems; and
-
Exercising sound judgment.
ABOUT TIKTOK
TikTok is the leading destination for short-form mobile video. At TikTok, our mission is to inspire creativity and bring joy. TikTok's global headquarters are in Los Angeles and Singapore, and we also have offices in New York City, London, Dublin, Paris, Berlin, Dubai, Jakarta, Seoul, and Tokyo.
WHY JOIN US
Inspiring creativity is at the core of TikTok's mission. Our innovative product is built to help people authentically express themselves, discover and connect – and our global, diverse teams make that possible. Together, we create value for our communities, inspire creativity and bring joy - a mission we work towards every day.
We strive to do great things with great people. We lead with curiosity, humility, and a desire to make impact in a rapidly growing tech company. Every challenge is an opportunity to learn and innovate as one team. We're resilient and embrace challenges as they come. By constantly iterating and fostering an "Always Day 1" mindset, we achieve meaningful breakthroughs for ourselves, our company, and our users. When we create and grow together, the possibilities are limitless. Join us.
DIVERSITY & INCLUSION
TikTok is committed to creating an inclusive space where employees are valued for their skills, experiences, and unique perspectives. Our platform connects people from across the globe and so does our workplace. At TikTok, our mission is to inspire creativity and bring joy. To achieve that goal, we are committed to celebrating our diverse voices and to creating an environment that reflects the many communities we reach. We are passionate about this and hope you are too.
TIKTOK ACCOMMODATION
TikTok is committed to providing reasonable accommodations in our recruitment processes for candidates with disabilities, pregnancy, sincerely held religious beliefs or other reasons protected by applicable laws. If you need assistance or a reasonable accommodation, please reach out to us at
https://tinyurl.com/RA-request
INTRODUCTION
Research Scientist Intern – TikTok Search / Generative AI (LLM) - Global Frontier Tech Recruitment Program - 2027 Start (PhD)
LOCATION
Location:
San Jose
EMPLOYMENT TYPE
Employment Type:
Intern
JOB CODE
Job Code:
A29723
Responsibilities
About the team
The TikTok Search team is responsible for delivering a world-class search experience across TikTok’s global ecosystem. Our mission is to connect users with the most relevant and high-quality content through advanced technologies in search ranking, recommendation, and multimodal understanding. As a campus hire, you will collaborate with top engineers and researchers to solve challenging problems at scale, working across the full stack of search—from content understanding and retrieval to ranking and user experience optimization.
Project Overview, Challenges & Value
With the rapid evolution of pre-trained large models, TikTok Search is advancing toward a new paradigm of AI-native search. Traditional search systems face increasing limitations when handling massive-scale data, multimodal content (video, text, image), and complex user intents. This project focuses on building a next-generation generative search system powered by large models to significantly enhance search intelligence and user experience.
Key focus areas include:
- Integrating large models with ranking systems to improve personalization and relevance.
- Developing end-to-end generative search models based on multimodal pretraining.
- Exploring large model–driven agent frameworks to better support complex, ambiguous, and multi-turn search scenarios.
Key challenges include:
- Personalized ranking: Fully leveraging multimodal signals beyond traditional model capacity.
- Ultra-large-scale retrieval and ranking: Scaling search systems to efficiently handle hundreds of billions of candidates.
- Complex query understanding: Accurately interpreting long, ambiguous, and multi-turn queries to improve user satisfaction.
Project Value:
- Technical Value: Drive innovation in large model–powered search architecture and enable agent-based AI search systems.
- Business Value: Significantly improve search relevance and user satisfaction, strengthening TikTok’s search engagement and long-term growth.
We are looking for talented individuals to join our team in 2027. As an intern, you will get opportunities to pursue bold ideas, tackle complex challenges, and unlock limitless growth. Launch your career where inspiration is infinite at our Company.
Successful candidates must be able to commit to an onboarding during the summer 2027. Please state your availability clearly in your resume.
Responsibilities
- Support the development of AI search systems using large models (LLMs).
- Assist in improving ranking, personalization, and relevance in search.
- Contribute to generative and multimodal search models (video, text, image).
- Explore LLM-based approaches for complex and multi-turn queries.
- Help optimize retrieval and ranking performance at scale.
- Collaborate with mentors and cross-functional teams to prototype and evaluate solutions.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Currently pursuing a PhD in Computer Science, Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence, or related fields.
- Solid foundation in machine learning, deep learning, or information retrieval.
- Familiarity with at least one of the following: LLMs, NLP, search/recommendation, or multimodal learning.
- Proficiency in Python and experience with ML frameworks (e.g., PyTorch, TensorFlow).
- Strong problem-solving skills and willingness to learn in a fast-paced environment.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Research experience demonstrated through projects, publications, or open-source contributions.
- Experience with large-scale data, model training, or system implementation.
- Exposure to search, recommendation, or ads systems.
- Experience with multimodal models or generative AI applications.
- Interest in LLMs, agent-based systems, or end-to-end AI applications.
- Previous internship or research experience in industry or labs.
JOB INFORMATION
【For Pay Transparency】Compensation Description (Hourly) - Campus Intern
The hourly rate range for this position in the selected city is $60 - $60.
Benefits may vary depending on the nature of employment and the country work location. Interns have day one access to health insurance, life insurance, wellbeing benefits and more. Interns also receive 10 paid holidays per year and paid sick time (56 hours if hired in first half of year, 40 if hired in second half of year). Interns who are not working 100% remote may also be eligible for housing allowance.
The Company reserves the right to modify or change these benefits programs at any time, with or without notice.
FOR LOS ANGELES COUNTY (UNINCORPORATED) CANDIDATES:
Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with all federal, state, and local laws including the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act. Our company believes that criminal history may have a direct, adverse and negative relationship on the following job duties, potentially resulting in the withdrawal of the conditional offer of employment:
-
Interacting and occasionally having unsupervised contact with internal/external clients and/or colleagues;
-
Appropriately handling and managing confidential information including proprietary and trade secret information and access to information technology systems; and
-
Exercising sound judgment.
ABOUT TIKTOK
TikTok is the leading destination for short-form mobile video. At TikTok, our mission is to inspire creativity and bring joy. TikTok's global headquarters are in Los Angeles and Singapore, and we also have offices in New York City, London, Dublin, Paris, Berlin, Dubai, Jakarta, Seoul, and Tokyo.
WHY JOIN US
Inspiring creativity is at the core of TikTok's mission. Our innovative product is built to help people authentically express themselves, discover and connect – and our global, diverse teams make that possible. Together, we create value for our communities, inspire creativity and bring joy - a mission we work towards every day.
We strive to do great things with great people. We lead with curiosity, humility, and a desire to make impact in a rapidly growing tech company. Every challenge is an opportunity to learn and innovate as one team. We're resilient and embrace challenges as they come. By constantly iterating and fostering an "Always Day 1" mindset, we achieve meaningful breakthroughs for ourselves, our company, and our users. When we create and grow together, the possibilities are limitless. Join us.
DIVERSITY & INCLUSION
TikTok is committed to creating an inclusive space where employees are valued for their skills, experiences, and unique perspectives. Our platform connects people from across the globe and so does our workplace. At TikTok, our mission is to inspire creativity and bring joy. To achieve that goal, we are committed to celebrating our diverse voices and to creating an environment that reflects the many communities we reach. We are passionate about this and hope you are too.
TIKTOK ACCOMMODATION
TikTok is committed to providing reasonable accommodations in our recruitment processes for candidates with disabilities, pregnancy, sincerely held religious beliefs or other reasons protected by applicable laws. If you need assistance or a reasonable accommodation, please reach out to us at
https://tinyurl.com/RA-request
See all 48+ Research Scientist jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Research Scientist roles.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding J-1 Visa Sponsorship as a Research Scientist
Translate your research credentials into U.S. formats
Consular officers and sponsor organizations evaluate your CV against U.S. academic norms. Convert your publication record to APA or ACS citation style, list grants by funding body and dollar amount, and clarify foreign degree equivalencies before submitting any application.
Identify host institutions with active designated sponsors
Universities, national laboratories, and private research institutes that host J-1 Research Scholars already have an established relationship with a State Department-designated sponsor. Target employers whose affiliated sponsor can issue a DS-2019 in your scientific discipline without requiring a new institutional agreement.
Search J-1-aligned research roles on Migrate Mate
Use Migrate Mate to filter Research Scientist openings at U.S. institutions with J-1 sponsorship history. Targeting employers already familiar with the Research Scholar category shortens your negotiation on visa logistics and reduces the risk of a host declining to engage.
Clarify the two-year home residency requirement early
Research Scholar status often triggers the two-year home-country physical presence requirement under INA Section 212(e), particularly if your field appears on the State Department's Skills List or your funding is government-sourced. Confirm your obligation before accepting any offer, since it affects future H-1B or green card eligibility.
Align your DS-2019 start date with your research timeline
Your designated sponsor issues the DS-2019 only after the host institution submits a finalized training or research plan. Negotiate your actual start date with the host first, then allow 30 to 60 days for sponsor processing before your consular appointment to avoid a mismatch that delays entry.
Confirm prevailing wage compliance before signing an offer
Although J-1 Research Scholar positions don't require a Labor Condition Application, your stipend or salary must meet the host institution's own pay scales for equivalent researchers. Cross-check the offered compensation against Bureau of Labor Statistics data for research scientists in that metro area to verify your offer is competitive and defensible.
Research Scientist jobs are hiring across the US. Find yours.
Find Research Scientist JobsResearch Scientist J-1 Visa: Frequently Asked Questions
Which J-1 program category applies to Research Scientist positions?
Most Research Scientist roles fall under the J-1 Research Scholar category, which covers scientists, scholars, and researchers at universities, research institutes, and government laboratories. If you hold a postdoctoral or visiting researcher appointment, Research Scholar is the correct category. The Short-Term Scholar category covers research visits of six months or less. The Intern or Trainee categories are not appropriate for independent research roles.
Who actually sponsors my J-1 visa as a Research Scientist?
Your J-1 visa sponsor is not your employer. It is a U.S. Department of State-designated sponsor organization, such as a university's international office, IIE, or CIEE, that issues your DS-2019 form and monitors your program compliance. Your host institution (the lab or university department where you work) is the placement site, not the legal sponsor. Both parties must agree to the arrangement before your DS-2019 is issued.
How do I find U.S. research institutions that support J-1 sponsorship?
Search Migrate Mate to identify Research Scientist openings at U.S. employers with J-1 sponsorship alignment. Institutions with established designated sponsor relationships can process your DS-2019 faster and are less likely to withdraw an offer over visa logistics. Targeting these employers from the start reduces delays caused by hosts unfamiliar with the Research Scholar category requirements.
Does the two-year home residency requirement affect Research Scientist positions?
It frequently does. J-1 Research Scholars funded by their home government, employed in a field on the State Department's Exchange Visitor Skills List, or supported by U.S. government funding are subject to the two-year home-country physical presence requirement under INA Section 212(e). This bars you from applying for an H-1B visa or certain immigrant visas until the requirement is fulfilled or waived. Confirm your status with your designated sponsor before accepting an offer.
Can a J-1 Research Scientist change host institutions after arrival?
Yes, but it requires action from both your designated sponsor and your new host before you transfer. Your current sponsor must issue an amended or new DS-2019 reflecting the new host institution, and the new host must agree to the program terms. You cannot simply move to a new lab without sponsor notification, as doing so places you out of status. Initiate the transfer process at least 30 days before your planned move.
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