PhD Research Intern (Summer 2027)

Join the leader in entertainment innovation and help us design the future. The Dolby U internship program offers impactful, project-based work experience in a collaborative, creative environment where you work side by side with industry leaders. Amplify your insatiable curiosity by implementing real-world solutions that revolutionize how people communicate and how entertainment is created, delivered, and enjoyed worldwide. We offer a collegial culture, challenging projects, and excellent compensation and benefits, not to mention a Flex Work approach that is truly flexible to support where, when, and how you do your best work. For any student seeking to gain invaluable expertise through meaningful, personal contributions, we invite you to join us in continuing to design a future where technology meets entertainment!

About the Role

The Advanced Technology Group (ATG) is Dolby's research division, focused on developing next-generation technologies that shape the future of entertainment and media experiences. ATG researchers work across audio, imaging, video, cloud, data, AI/ML, algorithms, signal processing, computer vision, neuroscience, perception science, AR/VR, distributed systems, edge and mobile computing, networking, HCI, and immersive media technologies.

As a Research Intern, you will define and lead a novel research project in collaboration with Dolby researchers. You will contribute to innovations that connect rigorous technical research with real-world media experiences, with the goal of enhancing how people create, deliver, and experience entertainment.

With the guidance of Dolby’s leading media technology experts, you will delve into your own innovative projects across exciting domains, which could include, but not limited to: Automotive, Smart Glasses, Live Sports, Consumer Devices, Human - Machine Interfaces, and Media Personalization.

Qualifications

• Currently pursuing a PhD in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, Neuroscience, Music Technology, Bioengineering, or a related technical field.

• Strong research background demonstrated through publications, patents, prototypes, projects, demos, or technical reports.

• Experience applying advanced algorithms, machine learning, data science, signal processing, computer vision, or related methods to real-world problems.

• Proficiency in Python, C/C++, MATLAB, or similar programming and research tools.

• Preferred experience with modern AI frameworks such as PyTorch or TensorFlow, GPU-accelerated computing, multi-GPU clusters, or cloud-based training environments.

• Strong analytical, problem-solving, communication, and collaboration skills.

• Curiosity, openness to learning from others, and interest in bringing new ideas into technical research.

• Passion for advancing technologies that enhance audio, video, media, entertainment, and human experiences.

Preferred Research Areas

Experience in one or more of the following areas is highly desirable. Candidates are not expected to have expertise in all areas.

Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning

• Machine learning, deep learning, foundation models, large language models, multimodal AI, or generative AI.

• Training, fine-tuning, evaluation, or deployment of AI models for media understanding, enhancement, personalization, content generation, or human interaction.

• Self-supervised learning, contrastive learning, representation learning, explainable AI, trustworthy AI, robustness, uncertainty, or model evaluation.

• Experience with modern AI frameworks such as PyTorch or TensorFlow, GPU-accelerated computing, multi-GPU clusters, or cloud-based training environments.

• Generative AI: Diffusion models, multimodal generation, media synthesis, controllability, representation learning, evaluation, or content authenticity.

• Agentic AI Systems: Autonomous agents, multi-agent systems, planning, reasoning, tool use, workflow automation, AI systems evaluation, or human-in-the-loop AI.

Audio, Speech & Media Processing

• Audio signal processing, speech processing, music information retrieval, acoustics, spatial audio, or audio perception.

• Machine learning applied to audio, speech, music, media understanding, source separation, synthesis, enhancement, or rendering problems.

• Real-time audio algorithm implementation, playback and recording systems, acoustic measurement techniques, critical listening, music production, or game-engine audio rendering.

Computer Vision, Imaging & Video Technologies

• Computer vision, image processing, video understanding, computational photography, image/video enhancement, or semantic visual understanding.

• Visual perception, image capture systems, sensor technologies such as RGB, SPAD, or event-based sensors, color science, rendering, compression, or computer graphics.

• Object detection, recognition, tracking, segmentation, recommendation systems, human-machine interfaces, or engagement measurement.

• 3D vision, volumetric media, Gaussian Splatting, light fields, novel view synthesis, spatial computing, Unity, Unreal Engine, AR/VR, or interactive media.

Multimodal Experiences & Human-Centered Computing

• Multimodal or cross-modal learning involving audio, video, text, image, sensor, tabular, time-series, or physiological data.

• Machine perception and reasoning, natural language processing, multimedia content analysis, generation, enhancement, understanding, retrieval, or recommendation.

• Human perception, human-computer interaction, computational or experimental neuroscience, affective computing, immersive media, personalization, or interactive experiences.

Data Platforms, Cloud Systems & Networking

• Distributed systems, cloud computing, large-scale data platforms, data and AI training infrastructure, or heterogeneous data architectures.

• Big data analytics, data quality, data profiling, data integration, data visualization, schema matching, dataset selection, data cleaning, or data-driven model training improvements.

• Networking, communications systems, information theory, channel/network coding, media distribution, decentralized architectures, IPFS, ICN/NDN, or software-defined networking.

• QoS/QoE prediction, edge compute resource management, traffic classification, routing optimization, performance modeling, utility optimization, simulation, or proof-of-concept test platforms.

Eligibility

• Must currently be enrolled in a PhD program.

• Must be available to work full-time, Monday through Friday, for a 12-week internship during Summer 2027.

Application Timing

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. For best consideration, candidates are encouraged to apply by the posted priority deadline of October 15.

This opportunity will be based out of our research offices in San Francisco, Sunnyvale or Atlanta depending on the role.

The hourly range for this internship position is $53-62/hr and can vary based on the location. Our hourly 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 hourly range and perks and benefits for your location during the hiring process.

Dolby will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of San Francisco Police Code, Article 49, and Administrative Code, Article 12

Equal Employment Opportunity:

Dolby is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. Our success depends on the combined skills and talents of all our employees. We are committed to making employment decisions without regard to race, religious creed, color, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, religion, marital status, family status, medical condition, disability, military service, pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions or any other classification protected by federal, state, and local laws and ordinances.