Research Intern (BS/MS/PhD)

About the Role

At Pika, we are pioneering the next generation of creative infrastructure built around real-time, multimodal generation and intelligent agentic platforms. We are seeking highly capable Research Interns at the BS, MS, or PhD level to join our team and make an immediate impact by contributing to extra throughput on pre-training and mid-training of large multimodal foundation models (FMs). You will have the opportunity to work at the frontier of AI research, developing and improving methods for multimodal large language model (MLLM) inferencing with a direct path to deploying your work in real-world systems.

This internship is ideal for excellent PhD interns or exceptional undergraduates passionate about advancing foundational AI technologies, excited to learn rapidly, and eager to make significant contributions alongside top AI talent. We offer flexible internship terms—both part-time and full-time are welcome.

What You’ll Do

• Contribute directly to large-scale pre-training and mid-training efforts for multimodal foundation models.

• Assist in designing, prototyping, and optimizing algorithms for high-throughput data pipelines and multimodal MLLM inference.

• Work with diverse data types, including text, image, audio, and video, to support advanced generative model training.

• Collaborate closely with experienced researchers and engineers on state-of-the-art core technologies.

• Learn and apply frontier research techniques and production-scale AI workflows.

What We’re Looking For

• BS, MS, or PhD-level backgrounds; excellent PhD interns or exceptional undergraduates strongly encouraged to apply.

• Experience or coursework in machine learning, deep learning, or multimodal AI.

• Strong technical skillset—proficiency in Python and relevant ML frameworks (PyTorch, TensorFlow, etc.).

• Prior work or research in MLLM inference, generative models, or similar AI systems is a plus.

• Quick learner able to contribute to fast-paced research projects and adapt to new technologies.

• Excellent communication skills and ability to collaborate in cross-functional teams.

What We Offer

• Flexible internship: part-time or full-time roles available

• Unique opportunity to create immediate impact by working on frontier research

• Mentorship and collaboration with world-class researchers and engineers

• Competitive compensation and dynamic, mission-driven environment

• Hybrid work with HQ in Palo Alto, CA

About Pika

Pika empowers creators by building state-of-the-art agentic and multimedia platforms. Our vision is to break down technical barriers and make real-time generative and intelligent orchestration accessible to all. Join us to learn, build, and shape the next evolution of creative technology!

If you are a motivated student or researcher ready to accelerate your AI career and contribute to cutting-edge multimodal foundation models, we want to hear from you.