Applied Deep Learning PhD Research Intern, Reinforcement Learning for LLMs - Fall 2026

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    NVIDIA

    10,001+ employeesFounded 1993Santa Clara, CAComputer Hardware Manufacturing
    Actively hiringPaidFall 2026Computer Hardware Manufacturing
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    About the role#

    We are looking for PhD research interns to advance large language models using reinforcement learning. You will join our applied deep learning research team to develop new methods for improving model reasoning, alignment, and reliability. This role focuses on algorithmic research, hands-on experimentation, and rapid prototyping at scale.

    What you'll do#

    • Develop and prototype reinforcement learning algorithms for large language models.
    • Explore methods to improve instruction following, multi-turn interaction, and reasoning.
    • Design experiments to evaluate model robustness, hallucination, and task performance.
    • Implement research ideas in Python and PyTorch while running experiments on large-scale GPU clusters.

    What you'll need#

    • Pursuing a PhD in AI, ML, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Mathematics, Physics, or a related field.
    • Strong background in reinforcement learning and natural language processing.
    • Excellent programming skills in Python.
    • Experience with deep learning frameworks like PyTorch.
    • Comfort with experimental research, debugging models, and working with large-scale training pipelines.
    • Bonus points for publications or open-source contributions in RL, LLMs, or alignment, as well as experience with RLHF, RLAIF, policy optimization, or reward modeling.

    Location & details#

    • Location: Santa Clara, California.
    • Term: Fall 2026.
    • This is a paid, full-time internship. We do not provide sponsorship for this position.

    About NVIDIA

    NVIDIA operates as a computer hardware manufacturer based in Santa Clara, California. Founded in 1993, the company focuses on accelerated computing and graphics technology. It produces hardware for markets including artificial intelligence, gaming, and data centers. The organization employs over 50,000 people and maintains a global presence.

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