Research Scientist Intern, Synthetic Data for Computer Use Agents (PhD)

Meta; Menlo Park (CA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 141,000; Part time

Job summary

Meta is seeking a PhD intern to research generation of challenging tasks to improve planning and reasoning in AI agents. You will design generation methods, build prototypes, and run experiments to understand task difficulty and its impact on learning.

The program blends research with practical engineering and aims to contribute to frontier-model training data. The role focuses on planning and navigation workflows, with opportunities to work on synthetic data, evaluation methods, and scalable

Qualifications

• Currently has, or is obtaining, a PhD in computer science or a related field
• Proficiency in Python
• Experience designing and implementing machine learning experiments
• Must obtain work authorization in the country of employment at the time of hire and maintain ongoing work authorization during employment

Responsibilities

• Research methods for generating diverse, challenging reinforcement learning (RL) tasks with reliable success checks.
• Develop ways to measure and control task difficulty.
• Evaluate agent performance and distinguish reasoning failures from problems in tasks or environments.
• Build reproducible experiments and communicate findings and limitations.

Skills

Python

RL experiments

Experiment design

AI agents

Education

PhD in CS or related field

Tools

Docker

SQL

AWS

HTML

TypeScript

Job description

Our team builds synthetic data and simulation tools & infra to train AI agents that use computers to complete everyday tasks. We are looking for a PhD intern to research how to generate tasks that require stronger planning and reasoning, with an initial focus on planning and navigation workflows. The intern will design generation methods, build prototypes, and run experiments to understand which kinds of task difficulty help agents learn. The project combines research with practical engineering and offers an opportunity to contribute to training data for frontier models.

Research Scientist Intern, Synthetic Data for Computer Use Agents (PhD) Responsibilities:

• Research methods for generating diverse, challenging reinforcement learning (RL) tasks with reliable success checks.
• Develop ways to measure and control task difficulty.
• Evaluate agent performance and distinguish reasoning failures from problems in tasks or environments.
• Build reproducible experiments and communicate findings and limitations.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Currently has, or is obtaining, a PhD in computer science or a related field
• Proficiency in Python
• Experience designing and implementing machine learning experiments
• Must obtain work authorization in the country of employment at the time of hire and maintain ongoing work authorization during employment

Preferred Qualifications:

• Proficiency in HTML, TypeScript, Docker, SQL & AWS
• Experience with language models, reinforcement learning, AI agents, automated planning, synthetic data, or evaluation methods
• Intent to return to the degree program after the completion of the internship

About Meta:

Meta builds technologies that help people connect, find communities, and grow businesses. When Facebook launched in 2004, it changed the way people connect. Apps like Messenger, Instagram and WhatsApp further empowered billions around the world. Now, Meta is moving beyond 2D screens toward immersive experiences like augmented and virtual reality to help build the next evolution in social technology. People who choose to build their careers by building with us at Meta help shape a future that will take us beyond what digital connection makes possible today—beyond the constraints of screens, the limits of distance, and even the rules of physics.

Meta is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and Aff…? We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, transgender status, sexual stereotypes, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. We also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable federal, state and local law. Meta participates in the E-Verify program in certain locations, as required by law. Please note that Meta may leverage artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies in connection with applications for employment.

Meta is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for candidates with disabilities in our recruiting process. If you need any assistance or accommodations due to a disability, please let us know at [e-mail].

$7,650/month to $12,667/month + benefits

Individual compensation is determined by skills, qualifications, experience, and location. Compensation details listed in this posting reflect the base hourly rate, monthly rate, or annual salary only, and do not include bonus, equity or sales incentives, if applicable. In addition to base compensation, Meta offers benefits. Learn more about benefits at Meta.