Research Scientist Internships
Research scientist 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 in Technology & Software, with ByteDance, TikTok, and Meta among the employers posting roles now.
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Showing 5 of 35+ Research Scientist Internships
TikTok USDS Joint Venture LLC is dedicated to the safety and security of millions of Americans who create, discover, and connect with what they love on the apps we operate. The Joint Venture has been established in compliance with the Executive Order signed by President Trump on September 25, 2025. Our foundation is a comprehensive data privacy and cybersecurity program we operate under defined safeguards to protect national security and secure U.S. user data, apps and the algorithm. We safeguard the U.S. content ecosystem, holding decision-making authority for trust and safety policies and moderation. USDS Joint Venture helps ensure Americans can continue to express their creativity, discover new hobbies and interests, and build thriving communities and businesses on a global scale.
On-site presence across teams allows the company to operate with greater speed, alignment, and agility — especially in areas like real-time decision-making, team development, and integrated execution. As such, the company is shifting from a hybrid work model to a fully in-person schedule up to 5 days a week.
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.
USDS 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/USDS-RA
The hourly rate range for this position in the selected city is $45- $45.
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:
1. Interacting and occasionally having unsupervised contact with internal/external clients and/or colleagues;
2. Appropriately handling and managing confidential information including proprietary and trade secret information and access to information technology systems; and
3. Exercising sound judgment.
TikTok USDS Joint Venture LLC is dedicated to the safety and security of millions of Americans who create, discover, and connect with what they love on the apps we operate. The Joint Venture has been established in compliance with the Executive Order signed by President Trump on September 25, 2025. Our foundation is a comprehensive data privacy and cybersecurity program we operate under defined safeguards to protect national security and secure U.S. user data, apps and the algorithm. We safeguard the U.S. content ecosystem, holding decision-making authority for trust and safety policies and moderation. USDS Joint Venture helps ensure Americans can continue to express their creativity, discover new hobbies and interests, and build thriving communities and businesses on a global scale.
On-site presence across teams allows the company to operate with greater speed, alignment, and agility — especially in areas like real-time decision-making, team development, and integrated execution. As such, the company is shifting from a hybrid work model to a fully in-person schedule up to 5 days a week.
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.
USDS 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/USDS-RA
The hourly rate range for this position in the selected city is $45- $45.
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:
1. Interacting and occasionally having unsupervised contact with internal/external clients and/or colleagues;
2. Appropriately handling and managing confidential information including proprietary and trade secret information and access to information technology systems; and
3. Exercising sound judgment.
Research Scientist Internship Market
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Technology & Software
Tips for Your Research Scientist Internship Search
Apply earlier than the academic calendar suggests
Large employers, national labs, major tech firms, and pharmaceutical companies, open summer internship applications the previous fall and close them before spring semester begins. Smaller companies and co-op programs post closer to start dates. Check listings regularly from September onward so you catch structured cohorts before they close.
Build a portfolio before you send a single application
Hiring teams for research scientist internships expect limited work history, so projects carry the weight your resume can't. Document two or three complete projects with the tools and methods you used, and publish them somewhere reviewers can actually see the work, a linked GitHub repository, a published analysis write-up, or a documented experimental project works well.
Work your campus network and apply directly at the same time
Campus career fairs surface structured 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 cohorts alongside campus activity widens the pool you reach and gives you two parallel channels running simultaneously.
Practice the research scientist intern screen out loud before applying
Research scientist intern interviews typically include a technical screen covering quantitative reasoning, experimental design, or statistical analysis, depending on the subfield. Practice solving problems aloud and explaining your reasoning step by step, since interviewers weigh how you think through a problem as much as whether you reach the right answer.
Target structured rotational and cohort programs first
Many larger employers run dedicated research internship cohorts or rotational programs built specifically to train people new to the field. These programs offer structured mentorship, defined project scopes, and clear timelines. They recruit early and fill in the first application wave, so identify the programs that fit your research area and apply before general postings open.
Set your work-type filter before you start
On-site roles are 70% of the research scientist internships listed here. Decide what you can realistically commit to, on-site, hybrid, or remote, before you start searching, then filter by location and work type on Migrate Mate so you are only reviewing roles you can actually take.
Research Scientist Internships: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a research scientist internship?
Lead with coursework, independent projects, and a portfolio rather than work history, hiring teams expect limited professional experience at the intern level. For research scientist candidates, a GitHub repository, published analysis, or documented experimental project gives recruiters something concrete to assess. Combine direct applications with campus career fairs, where recruiters often move faster for students they meet in person.
Can a 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 research scientist interns is performance on real project work, available team headcount at the end of the term, and how early you signal interest in returning. Treat the offer as a possible outcome to work toward, not a baseline expectation.
When should I apply for research scientist internships?
Earlier than most candidates expect. Large employers, national labs, pharmaceutical companies, and major tech firms, recruit summer interns the preceding fall, often closing applications before the new year. Smaller companies and co-op programs post closer to start dates, so openings appear year-round. Checking listings regularly and applying as soon as a role opens gives you the strongest shot.
Are research scientist internships paid?
Most professional research scientist internships in the United States are paid. Compensation varies by company size, industry, and location, a large pharmaceutical firm in a high-cost city typically pays more than a small nonprofit or academic lab. Listings show compensation where the employer chooses to disclose it, so check each posting individually.
What should a research scientist internship resume include?
Lead with projects, not work history. Feature two or three complete, documented projects with the tools and methods used and a link to where reviewers can see the work, for research scientist candidates, that means a linked GitHub repository, a published analysis, or a documented experimental write-up. Add relevant coursework, list technical skills, and keep the whole document to one page.
Are there remote research scientist internships?
Yes. Remote and hybrid roles make up 30% of the research scientist internship listings here, with the rest on-site. Remote cohorts fill quickly because they attract applicants from every region, so apply early once you find a role that fits. Use the work-type filter to see only remote or hybrid listings and avoid sorting through positions you cannot take.
What is a research scientist rotational internship?
Rotational internship programs place interns on two or three different research teams over a single term, giving exposure to multiple projects and methodologies. They are designed specifically for people new to professional research environments and recruit early in the fall cycle. Spots are competitive and fill in the first application wave, so identify programs that match your research area and apply as soon as they open.
Can international students get 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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