Research Internship, Robotics

The Allen Institute for Artificial Intelligence • Seattle, WA

1d • Onsite

About The Position

Ai2’s Robotics team seeks PhD student interns for a 12-week research internship, with a flexible start date. Interns support research into foundation models and skills for robotics, contribute to open datasets, benchmarks, and models, and experiment with robots in the real world. Research areas span robotics, including low-level control, simulation, world models, reinforcement learning, and agentic systems.

Interns work with AI researchers and software engineers in a collaborative, ambitious research environment. Each intern is paired with a mentor and participates directly in Ai2 research; the internship does not restrict publication of research. Applicants should have a strong research background and experience or a particular interest in an aspect of robotics. International candidates are welcome, and visa sponsorship is available.

The position is expected to be based at Ai2’s Seattle offices, though on-site requirements vary by position and team. The internship is intended for Spring/Summer 2027 applicants who apply by January 8, 2027, at 11:00 p.m. Pacific Time. Compensation depends on degree enrollment: $94,320 annually for undergraduate research interns, $106,110 for master’s research interns, and $140,000 for PhD research interns.

Requirements

• Pursuing a PhD in robotics, machine learning, or a related field.
• Strong research background.
• Interest and experience in cutting-edge artificial intelligence and robotics research.
• Ability to remain in a stationary position for long periods.
• Ability to communicate information and ideas clearly and exchange accurate information.
• Ability to observe details at close range.
• Ability to work under deadlines.

Nice To Haves

• 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.
• Paid holidays when an employee is usually scheduled to work on an Ai2-recognized day off.
• Generous paid vacation and sick leave, as well as family leave.
• Visa sponsorship is available.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Intern
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree