AI Research Intern (PhD)

Duolingo; New York (NY); On-site; USD 92,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Duolingo seeks interns pursuing a PhD in AI/ML/NLP to apply methods to large real-world datasets and prototype scalable models. You will collaborate with researchers and engineers to build features, publish findings, and evaluate ROI across a cross-functional team.

Availability for a 12-week internship in mid-2027 is required, with relocation to the Northeast region possible. Ideal candidates have publications or open-source work, strong programming in Python/Java/Scala/C/C++, and a creative,

Qualifications

• Pursuing a PhD in AI/ML/NLP or related field.
• Graduation expected by Aug 2028.
• Contributions to research communities and papers at ACL, CVPR, EDM, ICML, NeurIPS, etc.
• Portfolio of impactful work: publications, open-source, or AI internships.
• Experience implementing AI systems in Python, Java, Scala, or C/C++.
• Creative, interdisciplinary, entrepreneurial approach to R&D.
• Strong debugging and critical thinking skills.
• 12 weeks consecutive availability: May 24, 2027 - Aug 13, 2027 or Jun 14, 2027 - Sep 3, 2027.
• Willingness to relocate to Pittsburgh, PA or New York, NY.

Responsibilities

• Apply AI methods to large real-world datasets.
• Prototype models, run small experiments, and productionize solutions at scale.
• Collaborate with researchers, engineers, and others to build features or publish findings.
• Solve ambitious problems with appropriate tools and methodologies.
• Work cross-functionally to implement ideas in the product, measuring ROI.

Skills

Python

Java

Scala

C/C++

Debugging

Critical thinking

Interdisciplinary

R&D mindset

Education

PhD student in AI/ML/NLP

Job description

Our mission at Duolingo is to develop the best education in the world and make it universally available. It’s a big mission, and that’s where you come in!

At Duolingo, you’ll join a team that cares about educating our users, experimenting with big ideas, making fact-based decisions, and finding innovative solutions to complex problems. You’ll have limitless learning opportunities and daily collaborations with world-class minds — while doing work that’s both meaningful and fun.

Join our life-changing mission to develop education for our half a billion (and growing!) learners around the world.

Read our blog to learn more.

You Will

• Apply AI methods to massive real-world datasets
• Prototype new models, evaluate with small scale experiments, and/or productionize solutions at scale
• Work with a cross-functional team of world class researchers, engineers, and others to build new product features and/or publish state-of-the-art findings
• Solve our most ambitious problems with the right tool for the task
• Collaborate cross-functionally to bring your ideas to life in the product
• Identify problems, prototype solutions, evaluate their return on investment, and then implement the best solution at scale to improve the lives of our millions of learners each day

You Have

• Pursuing a PhD in artificial intelligence, machine learning, natural language processing, or related field
• Graduation expected by August 2028
• Contributions to research communities and efforts, including publishing papers at conferences such as ACL, CVPR, EDM, ICML, NeurIPS, etc.
• A portfolio of impactful work, in the form of (for example) publications, open-source projects, or AI internships
• Experience implementing AI systems in Python, Java, Scala, or C/C++ (i.e., not just R or MATLAB)
• A creative, interdisciplinary, and entrepreneurial approach to R&D
• Strong debugging and critical thinking skills
• 12 week consecutive availability
  • May 24, 2027 - August 13, 2027
  • June 14, 2027 - September 3, 2027
• Ability to relocate to Pittsburgh, PA or New York, NY

What You Can Expect

• Language learning opportunities
• Catered in-house lunches, and breakfast and dinner options
• Company-wide Hackathon
• PTO and company holidays
• Frequent company-wide dinners, monthly celebrations, social clubs, and so much more!

Hourly Range For This Internship Is

$67—$69 USD

Accommodations

We will do everything we can within reason to make sure that your interview takes place in an environment that fairly and accurately assesses your skills. If you need assistance or accommodation, please contact [e-mail].

Equal Employment Opportunity

Duolingo is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.