Data Scientist, Research Intern, PhD, Summer 2026
GooglePlease complete your application before October 31st, 2025.
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and it’s in a candidate’s best interest to apply early.
Timing on when you can hear back will vary and can take upwards of 90+ days. If you haven’t heard from us in three months about your application, we likely proceeded with other candidates for the role.
Participation in the internship program requires that you are located in the United States for the duration of the internship program.
This internship is intended for students in their penultimate academic year, who are pursuing a PhD degree program in a quantitative discipline (e.g., statistics, biostatistics, physics, applied mathematics, operations research, economics).
Google is a global company and, in order to facilitate efficient collaboration and communication globally, English proficiency is a requirement for this internship program.
To start the application process, you will need an updated CV or resume and a current unofficial or official transcript in English. Click on the “Apply” button on this page and provide the required materials in the appropriate sections (PDFs preferred):
- In the “Resume Section:” attach an updated CV or resume.
- Please ensure you’ve listed your anticipated graduation date (in MM/YY)
- In the “Education Section:” attach a current or recent unofficial or official transcript in English.
- Under “Degree Status,” select “Now attending” to upload a transcript.
This role may also be located in our Playa Vista, CA campus.
Applicants in the County of Los Angeles: Qualified applications with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act.
Applicants in San Francisco: Qualified applications with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act.
Note: By applying to this position you will have an opportunity to share your preferred working location from the following: Mountain View, CA, USA; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Atlanta, GA, USA; Austin, TX, USA; Boulder, CO, USA; Bellevue, WA, USA; Cambridge, MA, USA; Chicago, IL, USA; Irvine, CA, USA; Kirkland, WA, USA; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Madison, WI, USA; New York, NY, USA; Palo Alto, CA, USA; Portland, OR, USA; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Raleigh, NC, USA; Durham, NC, USA; Reston, VA, USA; Redmond, WA, USA; Redwood City, CA, USA; San Diego, CA, USA; Goleta, CA, USA; San Bruno, CA, USA; Seattle, WA, USA; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Jose, CA, USA; Santa Cruz, CA, USA; South San Francisco, CA, USA; Sunnyvale, CA, USA; Washington D.C., DC, USA.
Minimum qualifications:
- Currently pursuing a PhD degree in a quantitative discipline (e.g., statistics, biostatistics, physics, applied mathematics, operations research, economics).
- Experience with statistical methods (linear models, multivariate analysis, stochastic processes, sampling methods, etc.).
- Experience with data analysis.
- Experience using R or Python and technology to work with datasets such as scripting or statistical software (R, SAS, etc.).
Preferred qualifications:
- Currently attending a degree program in the US and available to work full time for 12 weeks outside of university term time.
- In their penultimate academic year or returning to a degree program after completion of the internship.
- Ability to draw conclusions from data and recommend actions.
- Ability to take on a leadership role and take initiative.
- Interest in learning new techniques.
About the job
At Google, data drives all of our decision-making. In the Data Scientist - Research role, you will work all across the organization to help shape Google's business and technical strategies by processing, analyzing, and interpreting huge data sets. Using analytical excellence and statistical methods, you will mine through data to identify opportunities for Google and our clients to operate more efficiently, from enhancing advertising efficacy to network infrastructure optimization to studying user behavior. You will work with Engineers, Product Managers, Sales Associates, and Marketing teams to adjust Google's practices according to your findings. Identifying the problem is only half the job; you also figure out the solution.
Google is and always will be an engineering company. We hire people with a broad set of technical skills who are ready to address some of technology's greatest challenges and make an impact on millions, if not billions, of users. At Google, engineers not only revolutionize search, they routinely work on massive scalability and storage solutions, large-scale applications and entirely new platforms for developers around the world. From Google Ads to Chrome, Android to YouTube, Social to Local, Google engineers are changing the world one technological achievement after another.
The US base salary range for this full-time position is $113,000-$150,000. Our salary ranges are determined by role, level, and location. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range for your preferred location during the hiring process.
Responsibilities
- Work with large complex data sets, solve difficult non-routine analysis problems, and apply advanced analytical methods. Conduct analysis that includes data gathering and requirements specification, processing, analysis, ongoing deliverables, and presentations.
- Build and prototype analysis pipelines iteratively to provide insights at scale. Develop a comprehensive understanding of Google data structures and metrics, advocating for changes.
- Interact cross-functionally with a wide variety of people and teams. Work closely with engineers to identify opportunities, design and assess improvements to Google products.
- Make business recommendations (e.g., cost-benefit, forecasting, experiment analysis) with effective presentations of findings at multiple levels of stakeholders through visual displays of quantitative information.
- Research and develop analysis, forecasting, and optimization methods to improve the quality of Google's user products.