Applied Deep Learning PhD Research Intern, Reinforcement Learning for LLMs - Fall 2026

NVIDIA is hiring an Applied Deep Learning PhD Research Intern, Reinforcement Learning for LLMs - Fall 2026 in Santa Clara, United States. It pays $38-$94/hr and Level rates it ; you can apply on NVIDIA.

Level's read on this job

Builds AI ●●●● is how Level rates this role: the job is building AI systems.
Tools and skills the posting cites include PyTorch and NLP.
Level classifies it as an internship.
Level lists 2,700+ other open roles at NVIDIA.

AI in this role

PyTorch

nlp

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.

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.

How we rate this

Applied Deep Learning PhD Research Intern, Reinforcement Learning for LLMs - Fall 2026 at NVIDIA rates 100 out of 100 for how much of the daily work is AI. That makes it Builds AI (AI Level 4 of 4). The level is about AI in the job, not seniority.

Classification

Builds AI. The job is building AI systems.

●●●● Builds AI80 to 100
●●●○ Works on AI60 to 79
●●○○ Uses AI40 to 59
●○○○ Little AI0 to 39

Levels come from how often the tools, models and workflows of the role are named in the posting itself. Read the description and count the AI tools, models and workflows it names.

Key facts

Applied Deep Learning PhD Research Intern, Reinforcement Learning for LLMs - Fall 2026 is an open job at NVIDIA.
Level rates this role AI Level 4 of 4: Builds AI.
The listed pay is $38-$94/hr.
The role is based in US, CA, Santa Clara.
The job was posted on May 6, 2026.
Seniority: intern.
Applications are handled by NVIDIA. Apply on NVIDIA

Prepare for this job

Built from this posting and from similar jobs on Level.

Skills and AI tools this role asks for

NLPPyTorch

Questions you could be asked

What NLP problem have you worked on, and how did you measure whether it actually worked?
Walk me through how you've used PyTorch in your day-to-day work.
How would you decide a model or AI system is ready to ship?
Tell me about a time a model underperformed in production. How did you find out, and what did you change?

Adapt your resume

List these exact terms on your resume: NLP and PyTorch. An applicant tracking system matches the wording, not the idea.
Attach one line of real, concrete experience to at least one of them. A tool named with nothing behind it rarely survives a human read.
Lead with what you built, trained or shipped. This role is judged on the AI system itself, not the tools around it.

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