About this role
Early-career STEM talent must be integrated effectively to accelerate the development of frontier intelligence systems at Perplexity. The Perplexity Research Fellowship serves as the primary flagship program designed to bring top-tier practitioners into the organization to build next-generation AI capabilities. Fellows will tackle core research initiatives, working directly on foundational challenges in information retrieval and generative AI.
This role exists to identify and nurture exceptional researchers who can operate independently and produce high-impact technical breakthroughs. Successful candidates typically possess a rigorous academic or practical background in STEM fields, coupled with a demonstrated ability to execute original research without external assistance. Anyone who thrives in a fast-paced environment and wants to directly influence the trajectory of AI search will find a strong fit here.
What you will do
- Conduct independent research aimed at advancing frontier intelligence and core AI capabilities.
- Develop and execute rigorous experiments within the research program framework.
- Contribute original technical writing and documentation for application evaluation.
- Collaborate within the broader research initiatives of the organization.
What you need
- Demonstrate exceptional early-career talent and expertise within STEM fields.
- Submit original application writing completed entirely without assistance from other humans or AI models.
- Provide verified proof of an approved leave of absence of one year or greater if applying as a student prior to graduation.
- Meet the priority consideration deadline of September 30, 2026.
Skills and tech stack
Questions candidates ask
What is the timeline and evaluation process for the fellowship?
Applications are evaluated on a rolling basis, with priority consideration given to submissions received by September 30, 2026. Candidates should carefully follow all instructions provided in the application form.
Can current students apply for the research fellowship?
This opportunity is not an internship program for students seeking research experience between school terms. If the requested start date is before graduation, verified proof of an approved leave of absence of one year or greater from the university is required as a precondition to any offer.
Are there specific rules regarding the application writing process?
Applications must be written without assistance from other humans or AI models. Submitting writing from other humans or AI models as your own will result in permanent disqualification from employment at Perplexity.