Future Product Innovation Research Intern, Human-AI Computational Design

Toyota Research Institute
Los Altos, CA
HybridCareer-pivot friendly

Who this role is best for

Strong fit for PhD candidates in AI or related fields who can autonomously drive research projects and collaborate in a hybrid, in-office setting.

Best fit for

  • PhD students with a proven track record in publishing high-impact AI research and a passion for open-ended innovation.
    — “Track record of executing research projects including publications at top venues”
  • Individuals skilled in 3D parametric design and deep generative models, with experience in subjective evaluation methods.
    — “Experience with 3D parametric design, deep generative models, and relevant tools”
  • Candidates who can work independently while maintaining strong communication and collaboration with research teams.
    — “Excellent communication and teamwork skills”

Things to consider

  • The internship requires in-office presence for a hybrid role, which may limit remote flexibility.
    — “hybrid, in-office role”
  • Candidates must be enrolled in a PhD program, which is a clear prerequisite for this position.
    — “Currently enrolled in a PhD program in Machine Learning, Computer Science, Mechanical Engineering, or related fields”

How to stand out

  • Highlight your ability to independently prototype and adapt models to specific tasks in your resume and interview.
    — “Strong engineering skills, with the ability to independently prototype research solutions”
  • Emphasize your experience in developing and executing subjective evaluation methods for AI models.
    — “Experience developing subjective evaluation methods for generative and predictive models”
Pace · SteadyCollaboration · MediumAutonomy · MediumDecision Impact · Individual

Derived from job-description analysis by Serendipath's career intelligence engine.

What success looks like

  • execute research projects
  • present project findings
  • collaborate with mentors
Typical background
PhD in Machine LearningComputer ScienceMechanical Engineering

Skills & requirements

Required

Machine LearningComputer ScienceMechanical Engineering3D Parametric DesignDeep Generative ModelsResearch ProjectsPublicationsCommunicationTeamwork

Preferred

Post-training TechniquesEngineering SkillsPrototyping

Stack & domain

3D Parametric DesignDeep Generative ModelsPythonocc-coreBuild123dBlenderCommunicationTeamworkAIRoboticsDrivingMaterial Sciences

About the role

Original posting from Toyota Research Institute via Lever

At Toyota Research Institute (TRI), we’re on a mission to improve the quality of human life. We’re developing new tools and capabilities to amplify the human experience. To lead this transformative shift in mobility, we’ve built a world-class team advancing the state of the art in AI, robotics, driving, and material sciences.

This is a paid 12-week internship opportunity and is a hybrid, in-office role.

Here’s a glimpse into the Internship experience from some of our TRI interns!

Responsibilities:

In collaboration with your mentor and the other researchers in the department, you will:

  • Scope the project to align to the core research efforts;
  • Be the primary driver of the technical plan (e.g., model development, analysis plan) with regular feedback from mentors;
  • Execute the project using TRI resources; and
  • Present the project’s approach and findings in research meetings.

Qualifications:

  • Currently enrolled in a PhD program in Machine Learning, Computer Science, Mechanical Engineering, or related fields.
  • Experience with 3D parametric design, deep generative models, and relevant tools (e.g., build123d, Blender, pythonocc-core).
  • Experience developing subjective evaluation methods for generative and predictive models.
  • Track record of executing research projects including publications at top venues including but not limited to NeurIPS, EMNLP, ACL, ICML.
  • Desire to work on challenging open-ended research projects.
  • Demonstrated ability to work autonomously while soliciting feedback.
  • Excellent communication and teamwork skills.

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Experience adapting models to specific tasks through post-training techniques.
  • Strong engineering skills, with the ability to independently prototype research solutions.

The pay range for this position at commencement of employment is expected to be between $45 and $65/hour for California-based roles. Base pay offered will depend on multiple individualized factors, including, but not limited to, a candidate's experience, skills, job-related knowledge, and market location. TRI offers a generous benefits package including medical, dental, and vision insurance, and paid time off benefits (including holiday pay and sick time). Additional details regarding these benefit plans will be provided if an employee receives an offer of employment.

Please reference this Candidate Privacy Notice to inform you of the categories of personal information that we collect from individuals who inquire about and/or apply to work for Toyota Research Institute, Inc. or its subsidiaries, including Toyota A.I. Ventures GP, L.P., and the purposes for which we use such personal information.

TRI is fueled by a diverse and inclusive community of people with unique backgrounds, education and life experiences. We are dedicated to fostering an innovative and collaborative environment by living the values that are an essential part of our culture. We believe diversity makes us stronger and are proud to provide Equal Employment Opportunity for all, without regard to an applicant’s race, color, creed, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, medical condition, religion, marital status, genetic information, veteran status, or any other status protected under federal, state or local laws.

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability. Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records for employment.

Source: Toyota Research Institute careers (Lever)

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