PhD Research Intern, Security and Privacy - 2027

NVIDIA is hiring a PhD Research Intern, Security and Privacy - 2027 in Santa Clara, United States. It pays $38-$94/hr and Level rates it ; you can apply on Level.

AI in this role

Research security, privacy, and safety mechanisms for trustworthy AI systems and hardware infrastructure.

cudapythoncgpus

securityprivacyapplied-cryptographycomputer-architectureai-safety

NVIDIA is seeking exceptional security and privacy researchers to contribute to the development of secure, private, and safe systems. In particular, security, privacy, and safety concerns are increasingly limiting the access and use of data in AI as well as the use of AI in critical use cases. In order to enable trustworthy AI systems in the future, all layers of AI systems need to be co-designed and co-optimized to provide strong, verifiable protection while still maximizing performance and energy efficiency. We are seeking candidates that have a proven track record of research excellence, a broad perspective on security/privacy across the full hardware/software stack, and depth in one of the layers such as computer architecture, programming languages, software systems, applied cryptography, and AI/ML algorithms.

NVIDIA has pioneered programmable GPUs and the CUDA language, and is a world leader in accelerated computing and AI systems, with aggressive plans for future system developments. This position offers you the opportunity to have a real impact in a dynamic, technology-focused company.

What you'll be doing:

Understand and analyze the potential vulnerabilities and risks in future systems for AI and AI-based systems.
Develop creative hardware, software, and algorithms to enable trustworthy AI systems with strong and verifiable security, privacy, and safety guarantees.
Collaborate with a diverse set of teams across the company, spanning software, hardware, research, and product groups.
Publish original research and speak at conferences and events.

What we need to see:

You are pursuing a Ph.D. in CE/CS/EE with a strong background in computer architecture, operating systems, programming. languages/compilers, applied cryptography, and/or AI/ML.
Demonstrated expertise in at least one specific security area (applied cryptography, programming languages, software systems, AI/ML algorithms, computer architecture, etc) with the ability to become the go-to resource within a team having varied backgrounds.
Strong publication and research collaboration records.
Experience with experimental research and development.
Experience with C, C++, Python, and/or scripting languages.

NVIDIA is widely considered to be one of the technology world’s most desirable employers! We have some of the most hardworking, resourceful and dedicated people in the world working for us. Are you a creative and collaborative security researcher who loves the challenge of exploring and crafting techniques that will impact our future products? If so, we want to hear from you!

Our internship hourly rates are a standard pay based on the position, your location, year in school, degree, and experience. The hourly rate for our interns is 38 USD - 94 USD.

You will also be eligible for Intern benefits.

Applications for this job will be accepted at least until October 18, 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

PhD Research Intern, Security and Privacy - 2027 at NVIDIA rates 90 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. Open the description and count.

Key facts

PhD Research Intern, Security and Privacy - 2027 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 October 14, 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

SecurityPrivacyApplied CryptographyComputer ArchitectureAI SafetyCUDAPythonC

Questions you could be asked

Tell me about a project where security was part of your work. What did you do?
Tell me about a project where privacy was part of your work. What did you do?
Tell me about a project where applied cryptography was part of your work. What did you do?
Tell me about a project where computer architecture was part of your work. What did you do?
How do you think about the risk of an AI system in this kind of role failing silently?

Adapt your resume

List these exact terms on your resume: Security, Privacy, Applied Cryptography, Computer Architecture, and AI Safety. 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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