Joblaze summary

In this role, the PhD Intern in Data Science at Figma will engage in rigorous research to address complex product and user behavior questions, translating data into actionable insights. Key skills include proficiency in statistical analysis, machine learning, and experience with programming languages like Python or R, alongside SQL for data manipulation. This position is ideal for candidates pursuing a PhD with a strong background in quantitative fields and independent research experience. The intern will work closely with cross-functional teams, contributing to projects that may lead to publication.

Joblaze insights

Listed about a month ago — first seen on Joblaze September 23, 2026. Last confirmed on Figma's careers page November 11, 2026.

Quick facts

Is the PhD Intern, Data Science (2027) role remote?: It's hybrid — Figma expects some on-site time in San Francisco, CA • New York, NY.
What's the salary range?: Figma lists $68–$68 for this role.
Where is the role based?: Figma is hiring for this position in San Francisco, CA • New York, NY.
What's the tech stack?: Joblaze extracted these technologies from the posting: AI/LLMs, Machine Learning, Optimization, Python, R, SQL.
What seniority level is this role?: Figma targets intern candidates for this position.
Is this full-time or contract?: Internship for this PhD Intern, Data Science (2027) role at Figma.

From the original posting

Figma is growing our team of passionate creatives and builders on a mission to make design accessible to all. Figma’s platform helps teams bring ideas to life—whether you're brainstorming, creating a prototype, translating designs into code, or iterating with AI. From idea to product, Figma empowers teams to streamline workflows, move faster, and work together in real time from anywhere in the world. If you're excited to shape the future of design and collaboration, join us!

Figma’s Data Science team partners across product, engineering, design, marketing, sales, and operations to help Figma make better decisions with data. As a PhD Data Science Intern, you’ll bring rigorous research training to some of Figma’s most important and open-ended questions, from researching emerging product and user behaviors and Figma’s broader ecosystem to developing new measurement methodologies, applying causal inference or machine learning, and building analytical systems. You’ll own a data science project end-to-end: from framing the question and methodology to translating findings into insights that influence Figma’s products, strategy, or data science practices; with the potential to continue toward publication after the internship.

This internship will be based out of our San Francisco or New York hub.

What you’ll do at Figma:

Partner with cross-functional teams to turn ambiguous product, platform, or business questions into well-defined data science problems
Analyze user, product, or business data to uncover insights and recommend actions
Design and evaluate experiments, metrics, statistical or machine learning models, and analytical frameworks
Communicate assumptions, tradeoffs, limitations, and recommendations clearly to technical and non-technical partners
Own a focused internship project end-to-end, from problem framing and technical execution through final recommendations, with potential to continue toward publication after the internship

We’d love to hear from you if you have:

Currently pursuing a PhD in Data Science, Statistics, Computer Science, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Economics, Operations Research, Physics, Applied Mathematics, or a related quantitative field; with demonstrated experience conducting independent research (e.g. thesis or equivalent research milestone)
Demonstrated fluency in one or more research methodologies or technical areas, such as statistics, experimentation, machine learning, causal inference, econometrics, optimization, user research methods, or AI/LLMs
Experience using a scripting language such as Python or R, as well as proficiency with SQL, for analysis, modeling, or work with complex or large-scale datasets through research, internships, or applied projects
Ability to explain technical concepts clearly and connect analysis to decisions, recommendations, or product/business impact
A curious, rigorous, and self-starting mindset, with the ability to thrive in ambiguous, fast-moving environments and translate research into real-world impact

While it's not required, it's an added plus if you also have:

Prior industry or applied research experience with experimental design, causal inference, forecasting, product measurement, user research, or applied machine learning to influence product, business, platform, or stakeholder decisions
Publications or research relevant to applied data science
Experience or interest in AI product measurement, LLM analytics/evaluation, recommendation systems, search, personalization, or evaluating AI-powered features

Pay Transparency Disclosure

This internship role is based in either Figma’s San Francisco or New York hub offices, and has the hourly base pay rate stated below. Figma also offers interns a housing stipend and travel reimbursement. Figma’s compensation and benefits are subject to change and may be modified in the future.

Internship

$68—$68 USD

At Figma we celebrate and support our differences. We know employing a team rich in diverse thoughts, experiences, and opinions allows our employees, our product and our community to flourish. Figma is an equal opportunity workplace - we are dedicated to equal employment opportunities regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity/expression, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements.

Standard company text repeated across Figma's postings is omitted here.

PhD Intern, Data Science (2027)

Similar positions