Join world-leading AI researchers
Applications are now open for Fall 2024/Winter 2025 Research Internships
Work alongside Vector Faculty Members & top AI researchers who are pushing the boundaries of machine learning and deep learning in critical areas such as:
- Computer Vision
- Generative Models
- Health – computational biology, genomics
- Natural Language Processing
- Optimization
- Reinforcement Learning & Representation Learning
- Statistical Learning Theory
- Sequential Decision Making
- Security, Privacy & Fairness
- Quantum Computing
- Robotics
- Machine Learning, Deep Learning
“My internship at Vector was transformative, guided by experts like Dr. Erdogdu who provided regular and insightful mentorship. The culture of innovation here doesn’t just prepare you for the future; it propels you into it. I’m grateful for the rich experiences and the collaborative spirit at Vector, which have left a lasting impact on my professional journey.”
Khashayar Bayati
Vector Research Intern, Summer 2023
Interning at Vector benefits:
Learn every day with research and commercialization talks, mentorship from the AI ecosystem, and targeted professional development opportunities to accelerate your career. Your future starts here.
“The I.M.P.A.C.T. program is a great way for researchers at the start of their careers to get a more comprehensive understanding of the possibilities post graduation. I wish this program existed when I was a student.”
Thor Jonsson (Mentor, I.M.P.A.C.T. Mentorship Program)
Team Lead, EthicalAI Inc
Gain a mentor
Research interns can participate in the Vector Mentorship Program, where you are matched with an AI expert at a Vector sponsor organization. You and your mentor will make lasting connections, while learning how to strengthen your technical and interpersonal skills meaningfully, and get tips for how to stand out in the job market.
“Participating as a mentor in this program has been an eye-opening and enriching experience for me. It’s not just about imparting knowledge; it’s also about receiving. Engaging with my mentee has broadened my perspective, introducing me to new ways of thinking and approaching challenges. This exchange of ideas not only benefits me but also prepares the future generation with diverse insights and wisdom.”
San Lee (Mentor, I.M.P.A.C.T. Mentorship Program)
Chief AI Officer, SpassMed
Meet our previous research interns
“My internship experience exposed me to a variety of new topics and ideas that broadened my research thinking, and I feel prepared to continue exploring them in my future work.”
“Throughout my internship I worked on fascinating exploratory work into the memorability of facial images using deep learning”
“During my research internship, I had the opportunity to dive deep into an incredibly engaging project that spanned across hardware acceleration, probabilistic machine learning, and bioinformatics, focusing on scalable algorithms for DNA barcoding”
“I had the opportunity to enter into contact with the industry environment, something that I didn’t have the chance to experience earlier on.”
“I was shown how to maximize the impact of one’s research and collaborate more effectively.”
Applications for Vector’s Research Internship program are open
Our renowned research community is pioneering AI breakthroughs, from quantum computing for climate change to 3D machine learning models. Want to join? Apply now for Fall 2024/Winter 2025 Research Internship positions
Who can apply
Research internships may be offered to individuals who meet the following criteria:
- You are in the second year or higher, studying at a university or college
- You are studying in a STEM program (Science, Technology/Computer Science, Engineering, Math) or adjacent disciplines such as Business, Economics or Life Sciences at the undergraduate, master’s or PhD level
- You have completed an Introduction to Machine Learning Course.
- Haven’t taken Intro to ML? Think about the knowledge you possess and how you can apply that to work with a Vector Faculty member!
Please note that current graduate students or postdoctoral fellows of Vector Faculty Members are not eligible for research internships. Vector Institute’s research internship program is supported by funding made available through the Pan Canadian AI Strategy.
The Vector Institute’s research internship program is supported by funding made available through the federal Pan-Canadian AI Strategy. As a federally funded program, Vector will not consider applications from students who are either currently enrolled at or affiliated with a Named Research Organization under the federal Policy on Sensitive Technology Research and Affiliations of Concern.
Questions about Vector’s internship programs? Email us
Vector is committed to building a diverse workforce
Vector is committed to workforce development in AI and to building a strong and diverse AI ecosystem in Canada. Applications to our internship programs from racialized persons / persons of colour, women, Indigenous / Aboriginal People of North America, persons with disabilities, and LGBTQ2S+ persons are encouraged.
How to apply
To apply to Vector’s Research Internship program please fill out our application form. Before you start your application, make sure you have all your documents ready and that you meet the eligibility requirements. If you will be submitting letters of recommendation, make sure to have your Referee’s names and emails ready. Application requirements:
- CV;
- University transcripts (official or unofficial if ongoing term not yet completed) or offer letter;
- Research Statement (optional for undergraduate students); and
- Two letters of recommendation (Required for PhD and postdoc applicants, optional for undergraduate and Masters students).
Applications are currently open for Fall 2024 and Winter 2025 internships. The deadline to apply for Fall 2024 internships is May 22 at 1:00 PM ET, and the deadline for Winter 2025 internships is July 22 at 1:00 PM ET.
Term | Application Period | Internship Term |
---|---|---|
Fall | April – May | September – December |
Winter | April – July | January – April |
Summer | October – January | May – September |
Vector research internships are paid positions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I reach out to faculty for a research internship?
When you apply to a research internship, you will be asked to select up to three faculty members you are interested in doing research with. Once Faculty have had a chance to review all the applications, they would then reach out to you if they would like to learn more, or would like to pursue an internship.
You can contact faculty in advance to see if there is a mutual fit, but we strongly recommend doing your research on the faculty member and their past and current research direction in advance of touching base. Please understand that they receive a significant number of emails and they may not get back to you – this does not mean that they will not be interested in working with you.
How should I research faculty?
We suggest visiting the Faculty page as well as visiting faculty’s websites. Many faculty will have specific instructions about how to reach out to them (specific email format).
Many faculty also use X (Twitter), so check out their pages to see what they are currently researching.
Is the internship remote or in person?
Internships can be either remote or in person. This should be discussed with your prospective faculty member. There are also restrictions from remote work in certain countries, which you can learn more about here.
I am interested in an in person internship from another country. How do I do this?
With a Vector research internship, you will travel to Canada under the 120-day work permit exemption for researchers. This page details whether you need a Temporary Residence Visa or Electronic Travel Authorization based on your country of citizenship.
If you require a TRV, this page outlines how long you can expect your TRV to take. Select temporary residence –> visitor Visa (outside Canada) –> (your country of citizenship).
Many TRVs take 90+ days to process and eTAs are a quick process done online in about 10 minutes.
I recently graduated undergrad/grad school. Can I still be a Vector intern?
If you graduated within the last semester prior to the internship you are eligible for the program. For example: if you graduated Fall 2023, you can intern in winter 2024, but not summer 2024.
I’m not eligible for a research internship. Are there any other ways that I can be involved at Vector?
There are many other ways to become part of Vector’s vibrant and growing community:
- Apply to be a graduate researcher or a Postdoctoral Fellow within a Vector Faculty Member or Faculty Affiliate’s lab/group, at one of the many affiliated Universities;
- Join one of many Vector recognized masters programs;
- Looking for a job? Check out Vector’s opportunities page, where you can find a variety of positions, such as Postdoctoral Fellowships and positions with Vector’s AI Engineering & Technology team
Will I be notified if I am not selected for an internship?
Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.
If you are selected for an interview but not offered the role, you will be notified.
I just applied to a research internship. When can I expect to hear about next steps?
Faculty reach out to prospective interns on an ongoing basis after they receive applications.