University Research Program
AI Research Fellowship Program
Work alongside leading researchers and engineers to solve high-impact AI problems at real-world scale.
Build, learn and publish with the backing of one of the world's largest local commerce platforms.
The AI Research Fellowship is a 12-week, full-time program for exceptional students or post-grads in AI/ML with a strong research background. This program is a great opportunity for those interested in applying to PhD programs, publishing research papers, or simply looking to expand their experience before applying to or attending a graduate program in the field of AI/ML.
During this program, you will work alongside senior researchers and engineers while leading a project of your choosing to solve a high-impact research problem. You will build systems that operate at real-world scale and have access to one of the largest real-world logistics networks in the world. Your findings will be shared with DoorDash's technical leadership team and will guide the direction of the company's AI mission.
We welcome applications from people with all technical backgrounds. While experience in machine learning is a plus, we primarily want those with a deep passion for AI regardless of what background or field of study they come from.
This opportunity is based in DoorDash's San Francisco headquarters and will commence in 2026.
The best research changes how millions of people experience everyday life. Our fellows dive into real-world problems that are complex, open-ended, and have the potential to create massive impact.
Michael ChenStaff Machine Learning Engineer, DoorDash
What You'll Do
Purpose and explore original research ideas
Partner with engineering teams on real production challenges
Translate advanced ML concepts into deployed systems
Present your work to technical leadership
Fellows are expected to operate with integrity and technical rigor, and independent thinking
Where Fellows can make an impact
Fellows may propose research aligned with our frontier AI focus areas
Some of our current focus areas include:
Agentic Commerce
What does it mean for AI agents to transact on behalf of users?
Physical Intelligence
How can AI learn from and operate in the physical world?
Enterprise Workflow Automation
How can AI transform complex operations at scale?
AI Infrastructure
Building the systems and tools that power safe, scalable, and reliable AI in the real world.
From our AI leaders
Featured Talk
Watch Sudeep Das, Head of AI/ML at DoorDash, share how we leverage Large Language Models to build seamless shopping experiences at scale.
FAQ
Yes. Fellows receive competitive compensation throughout the program. Additional details will be shared during the recruiting process.
No. The AI Research Fellowship is a full-time, 12–16 week program designed to provide an immersive research experience alongside DoorDash engineers and researchers.
The fellowship is designed as a 12–16 week experience. Extensions may be considered on a case-by-case basis based on project needs and mutual interest.
Yes. While we highlight several focus areas—including Agentic Commerce, Physical Intelligence, and Enterprise AI Systems—we encourage applicants to propose original research ideas that align with DoorDash's mission and AI strategy.
Yes. Fellows work closely with experienced researchers and engineers who provide technical guidance, feedback, and support throughout the program.
Exceptional students or post-grads in AI/ML with a strong research background. This program is a great opportunity for those interested in applying to PhD programs, publishing research papers, or simply looking to expand their experience before applying to or attending a graduate program in the field of AI/ML.