Research Intern, Frontier

a16z crypto; New York (NY); On-site; USD 159,000 - 205,000; Full time

Job summary

a16z Frontier invites students to join its New York–based internship, blending academic theory with industry practice. Interns will pursue independent research two-thirds of the time and collaborate on portfolio-related problems for one-third, with in-person residency in NYC from June 1 to August 20, 2027.

Interns gain access to and frequently use the latest AI tools, engage with researchers and visiting academics, and contribute to blog posts and white papers, while exploring areas from AI to

Qualifications

• Pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree in a relevant field such as computer science, economics, mathematics, operations research, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, materials science, physics, chemistry, biology, etc.

Responsibilities

• Pursue fundamental research on topics relevant to the firm.
• Collaborate with a16z Frontier’s full-time researchers and other student interns.
• Collaborate with portfolio companies on technical research problems.
• Quickly develop expertise in emerging areas of science and technology.
• Take full advantage of the latest generation of AI tools.
• Contribute to blog posts, white papers, and other public expository content.
• Meet with visitors from academia and industry and attend research seminars.

Skills

Fundamental research

AI/ML research

Cross-disciplinary work

Education

Undergraduate or graduate student

Tools

AI tools

Job description

Founded in Silicon Valley in 2009 by Marc Andreessen and Ben Horowitz, Andreessen Horowitz (aka a16z) is a venture capital firm that backs bold entrepreneurs building the future through technology. We are stage-agnostic . We invest in seed- to venture- to growth-stage technology companies, across AI , bio + healthcare , consumer , frontier , enterprise , fintech , games , and companies building toward American dynamism . a16z has $100B+ under management across multiple funds.

We’ve established a team that is defined by respect for the entrepreneur and the company-building process; we know what it’s like to be in the founder’s shoes. Our team is at the forefront of new technology, helping founders and their companies impact and change the world.

The Role

a16z Frontier research is a multidisciplinary lab that bridges the worlds of academic theory and industry practice. The lab has recently expanded its focus from crypto-focused research to include other emerging areas of technology, ranging from AI-enabled applications to new scientific developments in materials, energy, and hardware. In addition to fundamental research, we collaborate with portfolio companies to solve hard technical and conceptual problems. Research interns will have the opportunity to learn from and collaborate with the firm’s investment and engineering teams.

We are seeking students with a strong technical background and an interest in emerging technologies to join the group for the summer. Example research areas of interest include AI and machine learning, agentic commerce, cryptography, security, distributed computing, hardware design, economics (micro, macro, and empirical), energy, material science, biology, incentives, quantitative finance, market and mechanism design, foundations of computing, and pure mathematics. This list is not exhaustive and we encourage applicants with different backgrounds, who may have unique perspectives on the emerging technologies, to apply.

We anticipate selecting a wide range of applicants, including ambitious undergraduate students with a unique grasp of emerging technologies, graduate students looking to transition from academic work to building and entrepreneurship, and PhD students pursuing a more traditional academic career.

This role will be based in New York City, NY and requires in-office presence in our New York City, NY office.

To join our team, you should be excited to:

• Pursue fundamental research on topics relevant to the firm.
• Collaborate with a16z Frontier’s full-time researchers and other student interns.
• Collaborate with portfolio companies on technical research problems.
• Quickly develop expertise in emerging areas of science and technology.
• Take full advantage of the latest generation of AI tools.
• Contribute to blog posts, white papers, and other public expository content.
• Meet with visitors from academia and industry and attend research seminars.

Preferred Qualifications

• Pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree in a relevant field such as computer science, economics, mathematics, operations research, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, materials science, physics, chemistry, biology, etc.
• Passionate, knowledgeable, and optimistic about science and technology.
• Experience with absorbing and producing fundamental research.

Internship Details

• A typical schedule will have an intern spending ⅔ of the time pursuing their own research (typically in collaboration with other lab members and visitors) and ⅓ of the time collaborating on portfolio-related problems.
• In-person residency required in New York, NY.
• Interns will have access to and will typically make heavy use of the latest AI tools.
• Duration of internship June 1, 2027 – August 20, 2027 (minimum residency 10 weeks, maximum 12 weeks).
• The anticipated weekly rate is dependent on the current degree program. Actual starting pay may vary based on a range of factors which can include experience, skills, and scope:
• PhD: $4,500 per week, plus $500 per week housing stipend
• Masters: $4,000 per week, plus $500 per week housing stipend
• Undergrad: $3,500 per week, plus $500 per week housing stipend

For full consideration, please submit applications by 12 p.m. PT on November 20, 2026

Notice

Export Control: This position requires access to information and technology that is subject to U.S. export controls. Your responses to the questions below will be used solely to determine your eligibility under U.S. law to receive information and materials subject to U.S. export controls.

We welcome applications from all qualified candidates, including international applicants. Employment is subject to applicable work authorization requirements in the country where the position is based.

a16z culture

• We do only first class business and only in a first class way
• We take a long view of relationships, because we are in the relationship business
• We believe in the future and bet the firm that way
• We are all different, we recognize that, and we win
• We celebrate the good times
• We do it for the team
• We play to win

At a16z we are always looking to hire the absolute best talent and recognize that diversity in our experiences and backgrounds is what makes us stronger. We hire candidates of any