2027 Summer Intern, PhD, Safety Research, Human Behavior Analytics
About this role
Researchers who enjoy exploring the intersection of artificial intelligence and cognitive science will thrive in this summer internship within the Human Behavior Analytics team at Waymo. This group sits inside the broader Safety organization, focusing on computational models of road user behavior and evaluation methods for autonomous driving technology. Interns collaborate closely with internal engineering departments and external academic partners to advance safety research.
During the program, the selected PhD candidate surveys the state-of-the-art in digital neuroscience and mechanistic interpretability while building models that capture complex human driving dynamics. The team created this position to investigate behavioral aspects that traditional machine learning models often miss, such as collision avoidance and visual attention. Successful candidates bring strong computational abilities and a deep academic foundation to help improve the Waymo Driver.
What you will do
- Survey the current landscape of digital neuroscience, cognitive science, and mechanistic interpretability.
- Develop computational models to represent human driving behaviors like collision avoidance and road user interactions.
- Explore methods for interpreting and explaining the internal mechanisms of developed models.
- Collaborate with internal engineering groups and external academic partners on safety research.
What you need
- Demonstrate a strong research background and expertise in cognitive science or neuroscience.
- Possess solid knowledge and expertise in contemporary artificial intelligence and machine learning.
- Show strong documented computational skills including mathematics and coding.
- Be actively enrolled in a PhD program, as the position targets current doctoral candidates.
Nice to have
- Specific experience from research on mechanistic interpretability
Benefits
- Competitive compensation packages with a housing or relocation bonus
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance
- Access to free daily meals and snacks while onsite
- Free access to company shuttles and onsite gym facilities
- Participation in intern networking events
Skills and tech stack
Questions candidates ask
What is the work arrangement for this internship?
This will be a hybrid onsite internship position located in Mountain View, CA.
What is the compensation for this role?
The expected hourly rate for this full-time position is $85 USD, and interns are also eligible to participate in company benefits programs.
Who is eligible to apply for this specific opportunity?
The role is specifically designed for current PhD candidates, and applicants must be actively enrolled in a doctoral program.
How long will the company accept applications?
Resumes will be accepted on a rolling basis until the role is filled.