Research Scientist Graduate; Compute Platform - Database Acceleration PhD San J

Research Scientist Graduate (Compute Platform - Database Acceleration) - 2026 Start (PhD)

Location:

San Jose

Employment Type:

Regular

Job Code: A72767

The Data Platform team works on challenges in big data infrastructure and data products. Our team focuses on internal tools relating to OLAP DBMS, logging and data ingestion infrastructure, A/B testing for all product and feature launches, workflow management, distributed cache, data visualization tools, and big data engineering, which supports Tik Tok's business products. The DB Boost team focuses on building the next generation DBMS kernel aiming for best-in-class query latency and hardware utilization.

The team operates the distributed OLAP infrastructure powering cloud native data warehouse, the foundation behind data-driven decision‑making within Tik Tok.

• Design and develop kernel modules or core features for cloud-native distributed analytical database systems
• Conduct research for cutting-edge technology evolvement in database and data management area and identify potential future directions
• Solve unique and complex problems on large-scale, high-performance cloud infrastructure
• Partner with different teams on building backend support for cloud native database service

• Individuals who are completing or have recently completed a PhD degree in Software Development, Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or a related technical discipline
• Experience with at least one system programming language: C++, Rust, etc.

• Research or deep working experience in OLAP databases and data management systems, including but not limited to database kernel, query processing, query optimization, storage system, hardware acceleration, cloud native infrastructure, etc.
• Experience with open-source and industry databases and data management systems like Velox, Data Fusion, DuckDB, Polars, Clickhouse, Spark, Presto, etc. is a plus
• Passionate & experienced for contributing to open source communities
• High levels of creativity and quick problem-solving capabilities

As a condition of employment, all successful candidates must be able to establish authorization to work in the United States. For this position, the Company does not provide sponsorship or any immigration-related benefits.

The base salary range for this position in the selected city is $156,000 - $387,600 annually.

Compensation may vary outside of this range depending on a number of factors, including a candidate’s qualifications, skills, competencies and experience, and location. Base pay is one part of the Total Package that is provided to compensate and recognize employees for their work, and this role may be eligible for additional discretionary bonuses/incentives, and restricted stock units.

Benefits may vary depending on the nature of employment and the country work location. Employees have day one access to medical, dental, and vision insurance, a 401(k) savings plan with company match, paid parental leave, short-term and long-term disability coverage, life insurance, wellbeing benefits, among others. Employees also receive 10 paid holidays per year, 10 paid sick days per year and 17 days of Paid Personal Time (prorated upon hire with increasing accruals by tenure).

The Company reserves the right to modify or change these benefits programs at any time, with or without notice.

Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with all federal, state, and local laws including the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act. Our company believes that criminal history may have a direct, adverse and negative relationship on some job duties, potentially resulting in the withdrawal of the conditional offer of employment.