Future Product Innovation Research Intern, Human Computer Interaction

Toyota Research Institute
Los Altos, CA
Hybrid

Who this role is best for

PhD candidates in Human Computer Interaction with experience in behavioral signal analysis and prototype development will find this research-driven, hybrid role at Toyota Research Institute in Los Altos, CA.

Best fit for

  • PhD students in HCI or related fields with a focus on human-AI interaction and data analysis
    — “Currently enrolled in a PhD program in Human Computer Science, or a related field.”
  • Candidates who have developed interactive prototypes and conducted human-subject studies
    — “Experience designing and developing interactive research prototypes to investigate novel human-AI interaction paradigms.”
  • Individuals with a strong background in modeling user intent and preferences from behavioral data
    — “Experience analyzing behavioral signals, such as eye gaze, mouse interactions, verbal utterances, and interaction logs, to infer and model user intent and preferences.”

Things to consider

  • The role requires in-office presence for part of the 12-week hybrid internship
    — “hybrid, in-office role.”
  • Candidates must have a proven track record of academic publications in top venues
    — “Proven track record of publications at top venues (e.g., CHI, UIST, IUI, UbiComp/IMWU.”

How to stand out

  • Highlight experience with adaptive AI systems and preference modeling in your application materials
    — “Experience developing adaptive AI experiences from inferred preferences.”
  • Emphasize your ability to autonomously drive technical plans while seeking mentor feedback
    — “Be the primary driver of the technical plan (e.g., model development, analysis plan) with regular feedback from mentors.”
  • Showcase your skills in both quantitative and qualitative data analysis of human behavior
    — “Experience designing and conducting human-subject studies, including collecting and analyzing behavioral interaction data using quantitative and/or qualitative methods.”
Pace · SteadyCollaboration · HighAutonomy · MediumDecision Impact · Team

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

What success looks like

  • project scoping
  • technical plan execution
  • research presentation
Typical background
PhD in Human Computer InteractionComputer Sciencerelated field

Skills & requirements

Required

Behavioral Signal AnalysisHuman-ai InteractionResearch Prototype DevelopmentHuman-subject StudiesAutonomous Work

Preferred

Adaptive AI ExperiencesImplicit Preference ModelingPersonalized Recommendation Systems

Stack & domain

AIHuman-computer InteractionBehavioral SignalsEye GazeMouse InteractionsVerbal UtterancesInteraction LogsModel DevelopmentAnalysis PlanHuman-subject StudiesBehavioral Interaction DataQuantitative MethodsQualitative MethodsAdaptive AI ExperiencesImplicit Preference ModelingConsumer Decision MakingPersonalized Recommendation SystemsUser ModelingAutonomyFeedbackTeamworkInterdisciplinary WorkRoboticsDrivingMaterial 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 Human Computer Interaction, Computer Science, or a related field.
  • Experience analyzing behavioral signals, such as eye gaze, mouse interactions, verbal utterances, and interaction logs, to infer and model user intent and preferences.
  • Experience designing and developing interactive research prototypes to investigate novel human-AI interaction paradigms.
  • Experience designing and conducting human-subject studies, including collecting and analyzing behavioral interaction data using quantitative and/or qualitative methods.
  • Proven track record of working autonomously while soliciting feedback.
  • Proven track record of publications at top venues (e.g., CHI, UIST, IUI, UbiComp/IMWU.
  • Strong interpersonal skills and a great teammate.
  • Strong interest in interdisciplinary work.

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Experience developing adaptive AI experiences from inferred preferences.
  • Familiarity with implicit preference modeling, consumer decision making, personalized recommendation systems, or user modeling.

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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