Carnegie Mellon University is a private, global research university that stands among the world’s most renowned education institutions. With ground-breaking brain science, path-breaking performances, creative start-ups, big data, big ambitions, hands-on learning, and a whole lot of robots, CMU doesn’t imagine the future, we invent it. If you’re passionate about joining a community that challenges the curious to deliver work that matters, your journey starts here!
The Language Technologies Institute (LTI) at Carnegie Mellon University is a world-renowned research and education hub at the forefront of natural language processing, machine learning, artificial intelligence, and human-computer interaction. Established within the School of Computer Science, LTI pioneers innovative approaches to understanding, processing, and generating human language in both written and spoken forms.
LTI is seeking a Research Intern to design user-centered interaction strategies for an interactive assistive agent that helps people with daily activities over extended time periods. The intern implements those strategies, runs human-subject studies to test them, and analyzes the resulting data. This is a full-time, onsite position in Pittsburgh running from November 1, 2026 – March 31, 2027.
Core Responsibilities
- Design user-centered interaction strategies for an assistive agent that supports people with daily activities.
- Implement those strategies in an interactive agent and test them with users over extended time periods.
- Design and run human-subject studies under approved IRB protocols to evaluate the agent.
- Analyze study data to assess agent performance and participant experience, and revise the interaction design accordingly.
- Present results at internal meetings and at conferences.
Adaptability, excellence, and passion are vital qualities within Carnegie Mellon University. We are in search of a team member who can effectively interact with a varied population of internal and external partners at a high level of integrity. We are looking for someone who shares our values and who will support the mission of the university through their work.
Qualifications:
- Master’s degree in computer science, psychology, human-computer interaction, or related field required.
- Research experience in HCI, robotics, or AI/ML, including support for human-subject studies.
- Understanding of AI/ML including Generative AI
- Basic proficiency with a programming language (preferably Python)
- Familiarity with common AI/ML software packages and tools (e.g. PyTorch, TensorFlow, ART)
- Familiarity with human subject studies and IRB protocols
- Strong critical thinking, problem-solving and collaboration skills necessary.
- Willingness to travel to conferences and similar events.
- Able to work onsite in Pittsburgh, full-time from 11/1/2026-3/31/2027.
- A combination of education and proven experience from which comparable knowledge is demonstrated may be considered.
Requirements:
- Successful completion of a pre-employment background check
- Applicants for this position must be currently legally authorized to work for CMU in the United States.
Joining the CMU team opens the door to an array of exceptional benefits.
Benefits eligible employees enjoy a wide array of benefits including comprehensive medical, prescription, dental, and vision insurance as well as a generous retirement savings program with employer contributions. Unlock your potential with tuition benefits, take well-deserved breaks with ample paid time off and observed holidays, and rest easy with life and accidental death and disability insurance.
Additional perks include a free Pittsburgh Regional Transit bus pass, access to our Family Concierge Team to help navigate childcare needs, fitness center access, and much more!
For a comprehensive overview of the benefits available, explore our Benefits page.
At Carnegie Mellon, we value the whole package when extending offers of employment. Beyond credentials, we evaluate the role and responsibilities, your valuable work experience, and the knowledge gained through education and training. We appreciate your unique skills and the perspective you bring. Your journey with us is about more than just a job; it’s about finding the perfect fit for your professional growth and personal aspirations.
Are you interested in an exciting opportunity with an exceptional organization?! Apply today!
Location
Pittsburgh, PAJob Function
ResearchersPosition Type
Staff – Fixed Term (Fixed Term)Full Time/Part time
Full timePay Basis
HourlyMore Information:
Please visit “Why Carnegie Mellon” to learn more about becoming part of an institution inspiring innovations that change the world.
Click here to view a listing of employee benefits
Carnegie Mellon University is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Disability/Veteran.
Statement of Assurance
Skills Required
- Master's degree in computer science, psychology, human-computer interaction, or a related field
- Research experience in HCI, robotics, or AI/ML, including support for human-subject studies
- Understanding of artificial intelligence and machine learning, including Generative AI
- Basic proficiency with a programming language, preferably Python
- Familiarity with AI/ML software packages and tools such as PyTorch, TensorFlow, or ART
- Familiarity with human-subject studies and IRB protocols
- Strong critical-thinking, problem-solving, and collaboration skills
- Willingness to travel to conferences and similar events
- Ability to work full-time onsite in Pittsburgh from November 1, 2026 through March 31, 2027
- Successful completion of a pre-employment background check
- Current legal authorization to work for Carnegie Mellon University in the United States
Carnegie Mellon University Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Carnegie Mellon University and has not been reviewed or approved by Carnegie Mellon University.
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Retirement Support — Retirement support is positioned as a standout, with automatic employer contributions to a TIAA-administered plan at 8% of base salary (and 9.78% for 9‑month academic appointments), plus optional employee deferrals. Vesting after three years is clearly specified, which helps set expectations for long-term value.
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Parental & Family Support — Parental and family support is strengthened by 100% paid parental leave for six weeks and 100% paid maternity leave for 6–8 weeks (delivery-type dependent), effective July 1, 2024. Childcare support is also referenced through a Cyert Center subsidy up to $5,000 per family, alongside no-cost EAP access.
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Wellbeing & Lifestyle Benefits — Wellbeing and lifestyle benefits include free Pittsburgh Regional Transit access and access to fitness classes and facilities, adding recurring non-cash value to the overall package. Pittsburgh’s relatively affordable cost of living can further increase the perceived adequacy of a given salary compared with higher-cost coastal hubs.
Carnegie Mellon University Insights
What We Do
Carnegie Mellon University founder Andrew Carnegie said: "My heart is in the work." No statement better captures the passion and drive of our people to make a real difference. At Carnegie Mellon, we're not afraid of the work. Our educational environment creates problem solvers, drivers of innovation and pioneers in technology and the arts. Employers in every field say our graduates are ready to hit the ground running the day they graduate. So, join us. Whether you're looking for a career or an education. Or both.
