About the role#
Toyota Research Institute is seeking a Ph.D. research intern for the Summer 2027 term. You will join the Adaptive Behavior Systems team within our Human-Centered AI division. This 12-week position focuses on the intersection of causal reasoning and large language models. You will work alongside machine learning researchers and behavioral scientists to develop new methods for testing and improving how generative models reason. The goal is to contribute to research that can be presented at top-tier venues while exploring how these technologies apply to real-world business challenges.
What you'll do#
- Lead a research project from initial ideation through to the validation of developed methods.
- Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to build technology that uses generative AI to understand human behavior.
- Conduct original research with the intent to publish your findings in relevant academic venues.
- Participate in strategic discussions regarding the business impact of your research at Toyota.
What you'll need#
- Current enrollment in a Ph.D. program for AI, machine learning, computer science, data science, statistics, or a related field.
- Research experience or a publication record in causal inference, such as structural causal models, identification, or counterfactual reasoning.
- Hands-on experience with LLM evaluation, benchmarking, or mechanistic interpretability.
- Proficiency in methods for improving LLM reasoning, including prompt optimization, post-training, pretraining, or architectural modifications.
- Experience with Python and deep learning frameworks like PyTorch.
- An interest in human-centered research, including behavioral or computational social science, and experience with qualitative or quantitative methods like user studies or experiments.
- Strong communication and teamwork skills.
Location & details#
- This is a paid, full-time, 12-week internship.
- The role is based in Los Altos, California.
- This is a hybrid position requiring time in the office.
About Toyota Research Institute
Toyota Research Institute is a research organization founded in 2016. Based in Los Altos, California, it operates as a subsidiary of Toyota. The company focuses on artificial intelligence, robotics, automated driving, and material sciences. Its staff of approximately 485 employees works to develop technology for vehicles and robots while researching new materials for batteries and fuel cells.
How to get in at Toyota Research Institute
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