About the role
About the Program
OpenAI is hiring a small cohort of exceptional early-career researchers and engineers to join OpenAI Research.
This opportunity is designed primarily for current undergraduate students and recent graduates who have demonstrated technical ability through elite competitions and challenges.
Participants join OpenAI directly as full-time Research Scientists / Research Engineers and begin with an intensive one-month research bootcamp designed to immerse them in the core problems behind modern AI systems.
Many of the strongest researchers at OpenAI first distinguished themselves through mathematics or programming competitions, and we believe exceptional reasoning ability is one of the strongest predictors of success in frontier AI research.
During the bootcamp participants will:
Learn OpenAI’s research infrastructure and tools
Work with a mentor and get direct experience building here
Meet with researchers across multiple OpenAI teams and explore potential research directions
Work on technically demanding research challenges
After the bootcamp, participants enter a structured team-matching process before joining a permanent research team.
If you enjoy solving very difficult problems and want to work on the frontier of AI, we encourage you to apply.
About the Role
You will join OpenAI as a full-time Research Scientist / Research Engineer based in San Francisco, CA.
The first month consists of a structured research bootcamp where participants work closely with researchers across the organization before selecting a permanent research team.
This role follows a hybrid, in-person collaboration schedule in San Francisco. Relocation assistance may be available.
Who We’re Looking For
This role is designed for early-career individuals, especially current undergraduate students and recent graduates.
Strong candidates often demonstrate this through technical competitions, research, or ambitious independent projects.
You might be:
A top competitor in mathematics or programming competitions (e.g., Olympiads, Putnam, ICPC, or similar contests)
A top performer in an OpenAI-hosted Challenge or similar
A mathematician, physicist, or quantitative researcher interested in the foundations of intelligence
A builder or hacker who has created ambitious technical systems or research prototypes
An exceptional early-career engineer or researcher with strong technical intuition
If you’ve done well in competitions such as the IMO, EGMO, IOI, Putnam, ICPC, or similar contests, we strongly encourage you to apply.
Minimum Qualifications
Demonstrated exceptional mathematical or algorithmic problem-solving ability
Strong ability to reason about complex technical or mathematical systems
Comfort with linear algebra, probability, statistics, and optimization
Evidence of rapid independent learning and technical creativity
Ability to obtain and maintain authorization to work in the United States by the program start date. Candidates who cannot secure appropriate work authorization by the start date may not be eligible for this cohort.
Preferred Qualifications
Candidates often demonstrate this ability through:
High-level results in Olympiads, Putnam, ICPC, or similar competitions
Top or novel performance in an OpenAI-hosted Challenge or similar
- •OpenAI is at the forefront of AI research, driving innovation in artificial general intelligence.
- •The company emphasizes ethical AI development, appealing to those passionate about responsible technology.
- •OpenAI offers diverse roles across engineering, sales, and creative fields, indicating a dynamic work environment.
- •OpenAI's rapid growth may lead to organizational challenges and resource strain.
- •The focus on AGI poses inherent risks and ethical dilemmas that require careful navigation.
- •Limited public information about internal culture and work-life balance may concern potential applicants.
- •OpenAI's mission to ensure AGI benefits all of humanity sets it apart in the tech industry.
- •The organization combines cutting-edge research with a strong emphasis on ethical AI practices.
- •OpenAI's diverse hiring across global markets reflects its commitment to international impact and collaboration.
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OpenAI is a pioneering AI research organization focused on developing AGI to benefit humanity, attracting talent keen on ethical and innovative AI solutions.
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About OpenAI
OpenAI is an artificial intelligence research organization that aims to ensure that artificial general intelligence (AGI) benefits all of humanity. They develop advanced AI technologies and promote safe and responsible AI practices.
