About the role#
The AI Research Fellowship is a 3-month program, extendable to 6 months, for researchers and engineers interested in applied machine learning and AI problems in local commerce. Fellows operate as independent researchers with access to real-world operational data, dedicated compute resources, and research infrastructure. The program includes a kickoff period for onboarding and scoping, followed by a core research period involving regular check-ins, internal talks, and collaboration with a cohort of peers.
What you'll do#
- Propose and scope a research agenda within priority areas such as reinforcement learning environments, agentic systems for logistics, foundation models for marketplace dynamics, evaluation methods for ML systems, and multimodal understanding.
- Build high-fidelity simulators and training environments using operational data.
- Develop benchmarks for ML systems.
- Engage in regular check-ins, internal presentations, and research mentorship sessions.
- Prepare final write-ups and pursue publication or productionization of research outcomes.
What you'll need#
- A strong track record in research, including PhD candidates (rising 4th year or beyond), recent PhDs, or independent researchers with published work or equivalent output.
- Ability to operate independently to set, scope, and execute a research agenda without heavy supervision.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present work to mixed research and engineering audiences.
- Experience as an engineer with deep research instincts who has shipped ambitious ML or systems work.
Location & details#
- Location: San Francisco, California.
- Term: Summer 2026 and Fall 2026 cohorts.
- Modality: On-site.
- Employment: Full-time, paid fellowship.
- Compensation: Monthly base pay ranges from $8,500 to $16,000 USD, plus housing and relocation stipends.
About DoorDash
DoorDash is a technology and logistics company based in San Francisco. It operates in the local logistics, restaurant delivery, and ecommerce sectors. The company employs over 80,000 people and maintains offices across the United States, Canada, and Australia. It focuses on connecting merchants, delivery drivers, and customers through its platform.
How to get in at DoorDash
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