Research Intern, the company Labs

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

The company PhD Research Internship Program offers doctoral students the opportunity to pursue ambitious research alongside the company Labs researchers and engineers working on some of the most interesting challenges in databases, systems, and data infrastructure.

Research interns join the company Labs for approximately 10-12 weeks to explore meaningful research questions, develop new ideas, and investigate technologies that have the potential to advance both the broader research community and the future of the company.

The program is intentionally designed around research collaboration. Interns are paired with experienced researchers and have the opportunity to pursue work that aligns with their academic interests, ongoing research, and areas of interest within the company Labs. In some cases, an internship may build on research, a prototype, or a system the student has already begun exploring at their university.

We believe the strongest research relationships extend beyond a single summer. Interns may continue their work after returning to their university through academic research, open-source contributions, publications, or other forms of collaboration. Where there is a strong mutual fit, an internship may become the beginning of a longer-term relationship between the researcher, the company Labs, and the broader academic community.

During their internship, researchers will have the opportunity to work closely with the company Labs, engage with the company's open-source technology and engineering community, share their findings, and contribute to the intellectual life of the broader research community.

Program length: 10-12 weeks, with flexibility based on academic calendars and research needs

Typical timing: Summer, beginning approximately June 1

Locations: Opportunities available across the US and Europe, subject to role and employment requirements. Remote first.

Research environment: the company Labs

Internship format: Research-focused, mentor-supported, and shaped around areas of mutual research interest

Compensation: commensurate with experience, a monthly stipend will be paid

RESEARCH AT the company LABS

The company Labs explores ambitious ideas at the intersection of databases, distributed systems, data infrastructure, and the broader systems research community.

We believe some of the most interesting advances in these areas happen through close collaboration between industry and academia. The company Labs brings together researchers and engineers to explore new ideas, investigate challenging technical problems, and connect academic research with real-world systems at scale.

Research interns are an important part of that community. Interns have the opportunity to bring their own research interests and perspectives into the company Labs while working alongside researchers and engineers who are deeply engaged with both the practical challenges and open research questions shaping the future of data systems.

PROGRAM GOALS

• Identify exceptional PhD researchers working in areas directly relevant to the company.

• Give researchers the opportunity to work on meaningful, open-ended problems with the company Labs.

• Build long-term relationships with researchers and academic institutions.

• Encourage continued research and open-source contributions after the internship.

• Create opportunities for co-authored papers, thesis advising, or other academic collaboration.

• Increase the company's visibility within the database and systems research community.

• Publish and share meaningful research outcomes through the company website and other appropriate channels.

WHAT MAKES THE PROGRAM DIFFERENT

This is intentionally not a highly structured engineering internship and should not detailed planning. ****But the high-level problem area and expectations should defined several months before the internship begins. This flexibility is intentional and allows the company Labs to respond to:

• Emerging research questions

• Current the company priorities

• New academic research

• Interesting systems or database prototypes

• Work candidates have already completed

• Opportunities to apply new research ideas to the company

The goal is to identify researchers whose work is already closely aligned with areas the company cares about and then determine the most valuable research problem to pursue together.

CANDIDATE PROFILE

We are looking for exceptional PhD students conducting research directly relevant to the company and the broader database/systems space.

IDEAL CANDIDATES

• Currently pursuing a PhD in computer science or a closely related field

• Conducting research in areas relevant to the company

• Demonstrated research excellence

• Strong database systems, distributed systems, hardware, or related technical background

• Has demonstrated ability to independently pursue complex research questions

• Ideally has prior experience with the company open source but not required**.**

• Has research, prototypes, or publications that could translate into meaningful work with the company

• Interested in continuing research beyond the internship

• Potential interest in open-source contribution and academic collaboration

CANDIDATE SELECTION PHILOSOPHY

The strongest candidates will be researchers whose work is specifically relevant to what the company Labs wants to explore.

A candidate who has already

• Worked with the company

• Built a relevant database or systems prototype

• Published research in an area relevant to the company

• Explored a technical problem the company is interested in

may be significantly more valuable than a candidate with an otherwise impressive academic profile but no meaningful connection to our research areas.

RESEARCH AREAS & PROJECT SCOPE

Unlike an engineering internship program, specific projects do not need to be defined when recruiting begins.

Research projects may emerge from

• A candidate's existing research

• A recent academic paper

• A prototype or system the candidate has developed

• An emerging the company Labs research priority

• An opportunity to test or extend an existing research concept within the company

IF THIS IS RELEVANT AND EXCITING TO YOU, PLEASE APPLY!

PERKS

• Flexible work environment - the company is a globally distributed company and remote-friendly. We currently operate in over 25 countries.

• Healthcare - Employer contributions towards your healthcare.

• Equity in the company - Every new team member who joins our company receives stock options.

• Time off - Flexible time off in the US, generous entitlement in other countries.

• A USD$500 Home office setup if you’re a remote employee.

• Global Gatherings – We believe in the power of in-person connection and offer opportunities to engage with colleagues at company-wide offsites.

CULTURE - WE ALL SHAPE IT

As part of a rapidly scaling start-up, you will be instrumental in shaping our culture.

Are you interested in finding out more about our culture? Learn more about our values here [link for members] Check out our blog posts [link for members] or follow us on LinkedIn [link for members] to find out more about what’s happening at the company.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY & PRIVACY

The company provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type based on factors such as race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

Please see here [link for members] for our Privacy Statement.