Research Internship – Reinforcement Learning for Large Foundation Models

Lightspeed Studios; Bellevue (WA); On-site; USD 80,169 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid sick leave

Paid holidays

Company-sponsored medical plan

Job summary

Lightspeed Studios is offering a Research Internship focused on reinforcement learning for large foundation models, expected to start in 2026. Interns will engage in cutting-edge AI research aimed at optimizing algorithms and conducting large-scale experiments.

The ideal candidate will hold a Ph.D. in Computer Science or related fields and possess strong skills in Python and deep learning frameworks like PyTorch. The position offers a competitive salary range from $80,169 to $120,000 annually, with benefits including paid sick leave and holidays.

Qualifications

• Self-motivated and excited about developing novel techniques.
• Experience developing with deep learning frameworks.
• History of creativity and intellectual flexibility.

Responsibilities

• Work on a research project for optimizing RL algorithms.
• Conduct large-scale experiments of RL algorithms.
• Deliver impactful algorithms and publish research papers.

Skills

Proficiency in Python

Research experience in natural language processing

Good publication track record

Excellent communication skills

Education

Ph.D. in Computer Science or related fields

Tools

PyTorch

Job description

Business Unit

What the Role Entails

About Tencent AI Lab at Seattle Area—Tencent is a leading internet company in China. Tencent AI Lab at Seattle Area was established in May 2017. The lab strives to continuously improve AI’s capability in perception, cognition, and creativity. Researchers there aim at solving challenging real‑world problems with advanced technologies and publish extensively at top conferences and journals.

Research Internship – Reinforcement Learning for Large Foundation Models

Tencent AI Lab is dedicated to advancing cutting‑edge AI technologies, with a particular focus on innovative breakthroughs in large foundation models. The lab’s long‑term ambition is to drive the development of Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) and ultimately Artificial Superintelligence (ASI). We are currently seeking research interns for the year of 2026, in the area of reinforcement learning (RL) for large foundation models, with an emphasis on developing stable and efficient RL algorithms. The goal is to empower large foundation models in complex reasoning and agent tasks and enhance their capabilities in autonomous exploration and continuous learning.

Responsibilities

• Work with researchers on a research project aimed at attacking one of the core problems on the design and optimization of RL algorithms for large foundation models.
• Conduct large‑scale experiments of RL algorithms in scenarios such as complex reasoning and autonomous agents.
• Deliver impactful algorithms for real world applications and publish influential research papers.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Computer Science, Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence or related fields from a top university.
• Self‑motivated and excited about developing novel techniques.
• Research experience in natural language processing or machine learning.
• Proficiency in Python and experience developing with deep learning frameworks such as PyTorch.
• Good publication track record and history of creativity and intellectual flexibility.
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills; capable of collaborating with cross‑functional teams to drive project success and innovation.

Intern Details

Intern duration: 3 months (with the possibility of extension).Can start any time in the year 2026.Location: State(s) US‑Washington‑Bellevue.
Expected base pay range: $80,169.00 to $120,000.14 per year (actual pay may vary depending on job‑related knowledge, skills, and experience).Eligibility for 1 hour of paid sick leave for every 30 hours worked and up to 13 paid holidays throughout the calendar year.Subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable plans, full‑time interns are also eligible to enroll in the Company‑sponsored medical plan.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Equal Employment Opportunity at Tencent. As an equal opportunity employer, we firmly believe that diverse voices fuel our innovation and allow us to better serve our users and the community. We foster an environment where every employee of Tencent feels supported and inspired to achieve individual and common goals.