Research Internship, Robotics

The Allen Institute for Artificial Intelligence • Seattle, WA

13h • $94,320 - $140,000 • Onsite

About The Position

Ai2’s Robotics team is seeking PhD student interns for a 12-week research internship. Interns work with AI researchers and software engineers on ambitious, team-based research spanning robotics, foundation models, and robotics skills. Projects may involve low-level control, simulation for real-world robotics challenges, world models, reinforcement learning, and agentic systems. Interns may contribute to open datasets, benchmarks, and models, and experiment with robots in the real world. Each intern is paired with a mentor, and internship work is not subject to publication restrictions. The start date is flexible. Applicants seeking consideration for Spring/Summer 2027 internships should apply by January 8, 2027, at 11:00 p.m. Pacific Time.

The role is expected to be based at Ai2’s Seattle offices; on-site requirements vary by position and team. Compensation depends on current degree enrollment: $94,320 annually for undergraduate interns, $106,110 annually for master’s interns, and $140,000 annually for PhD interns. International candidates are welcome, and visa sponsorship is available.

Ai2 is a Seattle-based nonprofit AI research institute founded in 2014. Its mission is to build breakthrough AI to solve the world’s biggest problems through foundational research and real-world impact, including open models, data, robotics, and conservation. The organization describes itself as a learning, diverse, inclusive, collaborative, and transparent workplace that emphasizes work/life balance.

Requirements

• Currently pursuing a PhD in robotics, machine learning, or a related field.
• Strong research background.
• Interest in and experience with cutting-edge artificial intelligence and robotics research.
• Experience and passion in a particular aspect of robotics.

Nice To Haves

• A proven track record of publishing at robotics and AI conferences, such as CoRL, ICRA, IROS, RSS, and NeurIPS.
• Strong software engineering skills in physics simulation, machine learning, and robot control.

Responsibilities

• Conduct AI research under the guidance of a mentor, potentially including building AI systems or components, developing datasets, and conducting experiments.
• Read scientific literature to investigate and understand AI research.
• Meet with a mentor to discuss research progress and ideas.
• Support development and investigate core research problems in foundation models and skills for robotics.
• Contribute to the development of open datasets, benchmarks, and models.
• Experiment with robots in the real world.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage for team members and their families.
• Employee assistance program.
• Health savings account plan, healthcare reimbursement arrangement plan, and healthcare and dependent care flexible spending account plans.
• $125 per month to assist with commuting or internet expenses.
• $200 per month for fitness and wellbeing expenses.
• Accrued sick days in line with Seattle sick time requirements.
• Pay for recognized holidays when the team member is usually scheduled to work.
• Generous paid vacation and sick leave, as well as family leave.
• Opportunities for ongoing education and learning alongside coworkers.

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Intern
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree