IXp Intern - AI Research PhD Associate

We help the world run better. At SAP, we keep it simple: you bring your best to us, and we'll bring out the best in you. We're builders touching over 20 industries and 80% of global commerce, and we need your unique talents to help shape what's next. The work is challenging – but it matters. You'll find a place where you can be yourself, prioritize your wellbeing, and truly belong.

What's in it for you? Constant learning, skill growth, great benefits, and a team that wants you to grow and succeed.

The SAP Internship Experience Program is SAP’s global, strategic, paid internship program that provides university students with opportunities to find purpose in their careers. This is more than an internship, it’s the foundation for a career built on connection, creativity, and impact.

• Position title:
  
  SAP iXp Intern - AI Research PhD Associate
• Location:
  
  Palo Alto
• Expected start date:
  October 2026
• Contract Duration: 4 months
• Work Hours:
  
  Full-time, 40 hours per week

• As a PhD Intern you will work with a team of experienced researchers and data scientists taking on challenges posed by the SAP customers and product units and providing smart services across and beyond the SAP portfolio. You will have the chance to work with some of the richest data sets available in the world addressing real-world problems
• Perform state of the art research to advance Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence
• Choose from different focus topics:
  Foundation Models on Structured, Tabular Data;
  Scalable access to business data using LLMs and Knowledge Graphs
• Publish research results and contribute to research that can be applied to SAP product development
• Collaborate with academic researchers and cross-functional partners including communicating research plans, progress, and results

We’re looking for someone who takes initiative, perseveres, and stay curious. You like to work on meaningful innovative projects and are energized by lifelong learning.

• You are a PhD student at least in your second year or Post Docs, specializing in our research area:
  Generative Foundation Models on Structured Data
• Experience with a strong foundation in machine learning, including building systems utilizing deep learning, natural language processing, LLMs, Foundation Models, or Knowledge Graphs
• A strong publication record in recognized ML/NLP conferences or journals such as ACL, EMNLP, ICLR, ICML, NeurIPS
• Proficient in PyTorch, Python, and Hugging Face Transformers, with a good understanding of statistical analysis and shell programming
• Must be fluent in English.
• The duration of the internship is at least 4 months but ideally 6 months and should take place in 2026.

Be part of SAP Next Gen, a global community for students, universities, schools and educational partners, who are passionate about innovation and technology.

• Culture of
  
  Collaboration:
  
  Partner with experienced SAP colleagues and expert mentors who will support your growth. Grow professionally through personalized mentoring, coaching, and career development support.
• Project-driven
  
  Experience:
  
  Kickstart your career with hands‑on learning experience, making an impact from day one by contributing to meaningful projects that help the world run better. You’ll have endless learning resources at your fingertips and gain future‑ready skills from a variety of virtual, in‑person, and hybrid learning sessions, cultivated just for you, and aligned with our learning approach.
• Gain Visibility:
  Build relationships with leaders and peers across teams and functions. Showcase your ideas, skills, and creativity in a global, fast‑paced environment. Open doors for future career opportunities within SAP and beyond.

SAP's AI organization is dedicated to seamlessly infusing AI…