--- title: Applied Deep Learning PhD Research Intern description: NVIDIA is hiring for the Applied Deep Learning PhD Research Intern, Reinforcement Learning role. See the full description and apply. type: job url: https://www.foundrole.com/jobs/applied-deep-learning-phd-research-intern-reinforcement-learning-at-nvidia-01a13963-0c50-7844-8523-983ca68b2365 date: 2026-11-15T01:26:44Z og_description: Join NVIDIA as Applied Deep Learning PhD Research Intern, Reinforcement Learning in Santa Clara, CA. Pays $38–$94 per hour. og_image: https://www.foundrole.com/og/8kinex.png breadcrumbs: - label: Home url: https://www.foundrole.com/ - label: Search url: https://www.foundrole.com/jobs --- | | | |---|---| | **Company** | [NVIDIA](https://www.foundrole.com/companies/nvidia?utm_source=ai_markdown) | | **Location** | Santa Clara, CA | | **Salary** | $38/hr - $94/hr | | **Type** | Intern | | **Posted** | Oct 12, 2026 | ## Is this job real? **Ghost job check:** B · Low risk. Probably a real opening. ## Visa sponsorship - **H-1B:** NVIDIA sponsors H-1B visas. It filed 3,120 H-1B petitions (FY2026 Q1 – FY2026 Q4). - **E-Verify:** No E-Verify enrollment on record for NVIDIA. ## Pay for similar jobs Most similar jobs pay $216,000 – $248,000 a year (median $236,000). ## Description We are looking for PhD research interns excited to advance the next generation of large language models through reinforcement learning. Our applied deep learning research team at NVIDIA has helped pioneer projects such as Megatron, MT-NLG, and DLSS. We build state-of-the-art foundation models and develop new methods to improve their reasoning, alignment, reliability, and ability to solve real-world tasks. This internship will focus on algorithmic research at the intersection of reinforcement learning and large language models. You will design, implement, and evaluate new RL-based methods for improving LLM behavior, with a strong emphasis on hands-on experimentation and rapid prototyping at scale. **What you will be doing:** - Develop and prototype reinforcement learning algorithms for large language models - Explore methods for improving reasoning, alignment, instruction following, and multi-turn interaction - Design experiments to evaluate model behavior, robustness, hallucination, and task performance - Implement research ideas in Python and PyTorch, and run experiments on large-scale GPU clusters **What we need to see:** - Pursuing a PhD in AI, ML, CS, CE, EE, Math, Physics, or a related field - Strong background in reinforcement learning and natural language processing - Excellent programming skills, especially in Python - Experience with deep learning frameworks such as PyTorch - Comfort with experimental research, debugging models, and working with large-scale training pipelines **Ways to stand out from the crowd:** - Publications or open-source contributions in RL, LLMs, alignment, reasoning, or post-training - Experience with RLHF, RLAIF, policy optimization, reward modeling, or agentic LLM systems - Strong intuition for both algorithms and large-scale implementation If you are excited about using reinforcement learning to make language models more capable, reliable, and useful, this team could be a great fit. Our internship hourly rates are a standard pay based on the position, your location, year in school, degree, and experience. The expected hourly rate for this position is 38 USD – 94 USD. You will also be eligible for Intern [benefits](https://www.nvidia.com/en-us/benefits/interns/). ​ Applications for this job will be accepted at least until November 3, 2026. This posting is for an existing vacancy. NVIDIA uses AI tools in its recruiting processes. NVIDIA is committed to fostering an inclusive work environment and proud to be an equal opportunity employer. As we highly value diversity in our current and future employees, we do not discriminate (including in our hiring and promotion practices) on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability status or any other characteristic protected by law. ## Skills - Debugging - Open-Source Software - Deep Learning - Python - Foundation Models - Megatron-LM - Algorithms - RLAIF - Reinforcement Learning from Human Feedback (Rlhf) - Natural Language Processing - Training Pipelines - Large Language Models (Llm) - Natural Language Generation - Reinforcement Learning - GPU Cluster Management - Communication - Reward Modeling ## Related - [More jobs at NVIDIA](https://www.foundrole.com/companies/nvidia?utm_source=ai_markdown) - [Science & Research jobs](https://www.foundrole.com/careers/science-and-research?utm_source=ai_markdown)- [Biomedical & Population Health Research jobs](https://www.foundrole.com/careers/science-and-research/biomedical-and-population-health-research?utm_source=ai_markdown)- [Research Scientist jobs](https://www.foundrole.com/careers/science-and-research/biomedical-and-population-health-research/research-scientist?utm_source=ai_markdown)- [Browse all companies](https://www.foundrole.com/companies?utm_source=ai_markdown) ## Explore this job market - [California](https://www.foundrole.com/locations/us/california?utm_source=ai_markdown) — 260759 jobs - [Computer Hardware](https://www.foundrole.com/sectors/technology/computer-hardware?utm_source=ai_markdown) — 22574 jobs - [Santa Clara, CA](https://www.foundrole.com/locations/us/california/santa-clara?utm_source=ai_markdown) — 6822 jobs - [NVIDIA](https://www.foundrole.com/companies/nvidia?utm_source=ai_markdown) — 2765 jobs ## Related pages - [California](https://www.foundrole.com/locations/us/california?utm_source=ai_markdown) — 260759 jobs - [Computer Hardware](https://www.foundrole.com/sectors/technology/computer-hardware?utm_source=ai_markdown) — 22574 jobs - [Santa Clara, CA](https://www.foundrole.com/locations/us/california/santa-clara?utm_source=ai_markdown) — 6822 jobs - [NVIDIA](https://www.foundrole.com/companies/nvidia?utm_source=ai_markdown) — 2765 jobs ## Browse - [Companies](https://www.foundrole.com/companies?utm_source=ai_markdown) - [Jobs by country](https://www.foundrole.com/locations?utm_source=ai_markdown) - [Jobs in the United States by state and city](https://www.foundrole.com/locations/us?utm_source=ai_markdown) - [H1B sponsors by location](https://www.foundrole.com/h1b-sponsors?utm_source=ai_markdown) - [H1B salaries](https://www.foundrole.com/h1b-salaries?utm_source=ai_markdown) - [Sectors and industries](https://www.foundrole.com/sectors?utm_source=ai_markdown) - [Jobs by career field](https://www.foundrole.com/careers?utm_source=ai_markdown) - [Latest jobs](https://www.foundrole.com/jobs/latest?utm_source=ai_markdown)