About the role#
The DoorDash AI Research Fellowship is a 3-month program, extendable to 6 months, designed for researchers and engineers to address complex applied machine learning and AI challenges in local commerce. Fellows operate as independent researchers with access to operational datasets and research infrastructure. The program includes a 2-week in-person kickoff in San Francisco, followed by a core research period with regular check-ins and presentations.
What you'll do#
- Propose and scope a research agenda within priority areas such as reinforcement learning, agentic systems for logistics, foundation models for marketplace dynamics, and multimodal understanding.
- Build high-fidelity simulators and training environments using real-world operational data.
- Develop benchmarks and evaluation methodologies for ML systems.
- Engage in regular check-ins, internal talks, and working sessions with research sponsors and engineering leaders.
- Produce research outcomes with the goal of publication or productionization.
What you'll need#
- A strong track record in research, demonstrated through published work at top ML venues or equivalent output.
- Status as a PhD candidate (rising 4th year or beyond), recent PhD graduate, or independent researcher.
- Ability to operate independently, including setting and executing a research agenda without heavy supervision.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present work to diverse technical audiences.
- Experience shipping ambitious ML or systems work is highly valued.
Location & details#
- Location: San Francisco, California.
- Term: Summer and Fall 2026.
- Work Modality: On-site.
- Employment Type: Full-time.
- Compensation: Monthly base pay ranging from $8,500 to $16,000 USD, plus housing and relocation stipends.
