OPT Data Science Intern Jobs
Data Science Intern roles are among the most OPT-friendly positions in tech, with most employers already familiar with F-1 work authorization. Your 12-month OPT window, or up to 36 months on STEM OPT extension, gives you real runway to contribute to machine learning, analytics, and modeling projects.
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INTRODUCTION
Airbnb was born in 2007 when two hosts welcomed three guests to their San Francisco home, and has since grown to over 5 million hosts who have welcomed over 2 billion guest arrivals in almost every country across the globe. Every day, hosts offer unique stays and experiences that make it possible for guests to connect with communities in a more authentic way.
The Community You Will Join:
Airbnb is seeking a (PhD) Data Science Intern to join the Core Data Science team for our 2026 Summer Intern Program from June 1, 2026 - August 21, 2026. The Data Science organization aims to be a business multiplier by solving complex and technical questions that underlie the foundations of Airbnb’s business through a mix of data research, modeling, and empirical methods. Core Data Science at Airbnb aims to innovate and apply deep scientific approaches to solve critical problems for the Airbnb platform and its users. The team aims to accelerate scalable scientific innovation through bringing new methods and technologies to Airbnb problems across the company.
The Difference You Will Make:
During the internship, you’ll be integrated into the Trip Intelligence working group at Airbnb. Airbnb's product is the Trip, and the Trip Intelligence working seeks to transform our understanding of what happens in the real world on trips. The primary goal of your role is to improve the quality of our GSAT model, which infers Guest satisfaction with their trip experience through applications of AI to a variety of data sources.
Key Responsibilities Includes:
- Conducting literature reviews to identify ways in which active learning can be integrated into our current model.
- Investigating innovative approaches to improving labeling for training and evaluation datasets.
- Implementing an active learning pipeline for our existing model and analyzing the performance.
- Investigating other approaches to improving label quality (e.g. LLM labeling agents).
This internship offers a unique opportunity to work on a cutting-edge problem, leveraging your knowledge of GenAI methods. You will have the chance to participate in exploratory research that directly impacts our understanding of the core part of the Airbnb experience, while also gaining valuable experience in the field.
A Typical Day:
As an intern, you’ll be integrated into a team where you’ll contribute to challenging projects. Your manager, team, and our incredible employee community will strive to be superhosts to you during the summer. We provide the support, mentorship, fun, and real world experience needed to accelerate your learning and make a real impact on our product, as Airbnb revolutionizes connection, belonging, and travel. You can expect to:
- Collaborate with multiple team members to achieve project milestones.
- Communicate with stakeholders across different teams to provide project updates.
- Seek and provide feedback throughout the internship.
- Actively participate in and contribute to the Data Science org and broader Airbnb community.
Your Expertise:
This opportunity is for full-time Doctorate students enrolled at a nationally-accredited university in the United States graduating between December 2026 - June 2027 with the following background:
- Studying computer science, computer engineering, data science, or an equivalent technical field.
- Knowledge of cutting edge GenAI techniques in the image domain.
- Ability to read and summarize papers from the literature.
- Solid Python coding skills.
- Familiarity with at least one DNN framework (PyTorch or Tensorflow).
- Demonstrated interest in high growth, technology, and/or hospitality companies.
- Work authorization for employment in the United States is required (CPT/OPT with 2-year STEM extension is accepted).
Your Location:
This position is US - Remote Eligible. The role may include occasional work at an Airbnb office or attendance at offsites, as agreed to with your manager. While the position is Remote Eligible, you must live in a state where Airbnb, Inc. has a registered entity. Click here for the up-to-date list of excluded states. This list is continuously evolving, so please check back with us if the state you live in is on the exclusion list. If your position is employed by another Airbnb entity, your recruiter will inform you what states you are eligible to work from.
Our Commitment To Inclusion & Belonging:
Airbnb is committed to working with the broadest talent pool possible. We believe diverse ideas foster innovation and engagement, and allow us to attract creatively-led people, and to develop the best products, services and solutions. All qualified individuals are encouraged to apply. We strive to also provide a disability inclusive application and interview process. If you are a candidate with a disability and require reasonable accommodation in order to submit an application, please contact us at: reasonableaccommodations@airbnb.com. Please include your full name, the role you’re applying for and the accommodation necessary to assist you with the recruiting process. We ask that you only reach out to us if you are a candidate whose disability prevents you from being able to complete our online application.
How We’ll Take Care Of You:
Our job titles may span more than one career or degree level. This role may also be eligible for benefits and Employee Travel Credits.
Currency: USD
Pay Rate: $4,500.00 biweekly
How We’ll Take Care Of You:
Our job titles may span more than one career or degree level. This role may also be eligible for benefits and Employee Travel Credits.
Pay Range: $4,500—$4,500 USD
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Data Science Intern
Lead with your STEM OPT eligibility
Data science qualifies for the 24-month STEM OPT extension, giving you up to 36 months of work authorization. Mention this upfront with recruiters. Many employers weigh STEM eligibility heavily when deciding whether to invest in an intern.
Target employers with active H-1B filing history
Internships at companies that regularly sponsor H-1B visas are your clearest path to long-term authorization. Prior H-1B filing activity signals that a company has immigration infrastructure in place and is open to sponsoring international employees after an internship.
Align your degree field explicitly
STEM OPT requires your role to be directly related to your degree. A computer science or statistics degree maps cleanly to data science. If your degree is adjacent, like economics or engineering, document the connection clearly before your employer files your I-983 training plan.
Apply early in the semester before OPT starts
Internship hiring for summer cycles often closes months in advance. Apply three to four months before your intended start date. OPT applications take time to process, so confirm your EAD arrival timeline before committing to a start date with any employer.
Highlight Python, SQL, and modeling experience concretely
Hiring managers for data science internships screen for specific technical skills before worrying about visa status. A strong portfolio with documented projects in Python, scikit-learn, or SQL reduces friction. Demonstrable skills make the sponsorship conversation easier because the value is already clear.
Clarify your OPT status proactively but professionally
Bring up OPT authorization after demonstrating interest, not in your opening message. Frame it as: you are authorized to work for any employer on OPT, no sponsorship required for the internship itself. This removes the most common employer hesitation before it becomes an objection.
Data Science Intern OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work as a Data Science Intern on OPT without employer sponsorship?
Yes. During your 12-month OPT period, you are authorized to work for any employer without them needing to file any visa petition on your behalf. The internship itself requires no sponsorship. Your employer simply verifies your EAD card. STEM OPT extension requires employer participation in E-Verify and a signed I-983 training plan, but still does not require an H-1B petition.
Does a data science internship qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
It depends on your degree field. If your degree is in computer science, data science, statistics, mathematics, or a related STEM field listed on the STEM Designated Degree Program list, a data science role will generally qualify. The role must be directly related to your degree. Your DSO reviews the I-983 training plan your employer submits to confirm the connection meets USCIS requirements.
How do I find Data Science Intern roles that are open to OPT students?
Browse Migrate Mate, which filters job listings specifically for F-1 OPT and STEM OPT candidates. Many general job boards do not filter by OPT compatibility, which wastes time. On Migrate Mate, listings are curated for international students, so you can focus on employers already familiar with F-1 work authorization rather than educating recruiters from scratch.
What happens to my OPT if my data science internship ends before my EAD expires?
You have an unemployment allowance of 90 days on standard OPT, or 150 days total if you are on STEM OPT extension. Days without employment count against this limit. If you finish one internship and begin searching for your next role, that gap counts. Securing your next position quickly, or converting the internship into a full-time offer, protects your remaining OPT time.
Can a data science internship count toward my STEM OPT training plan?
Yes, internships are valid training opportunities under STEM OPT as long as the employer is E-Verify enrolled and the role directly relates to your STEM degree. The I-983 training plan must document specific learning goals, skills being developed, and how the role connects to your field of study. Your employer and DSO both sign off before work begins.