2027 PhD Residency, Earth Scientist AI Resident (Early Stage Project)

Our goal at X is to make the world a radically better place. In order to do that we seek fresh unexpected perspectives, from different fields, and that’s why we’re excited about you.

Life here isn’t easy, but it’s fun. We’re trying to build things most people can’t even imagine, and we’re doing it with the hope of making a huge, positive impact on the world. You’ll be embedded into a moonshot project, where you’ll partner with team members to solve key challenges.

This isn’t your ordinary internship. You’ll be positively challenged and pushed professionally, in ways that you may have never experienced. If this excites you - keep reading.

• To be placed on one of our confidential or public X projects
• To get paid competitively and with Google benefits
• To be part of a lively community of other Interns and Residents
• To attend colloquium and discussions with team leads from across Google, DeepMind and external organizations

• Collaborating with confidential X Project team to apply advanced ML and geophysics computing techniques to their project's mission
• Understanding the project’s challenges;
• Suggesting a number of ways in which ML and other techniques can apply to those challenges;
• Prototyping solutions;
• Work closely with team members to implement solutions.
• Learning Moonshot thinking, attending colloquium and tech talks.
• Engaging with the X Internship community during the program.
• Having fun!

This project aims to push the limits of science and modeling as we know them and to prove how ML can radically accelerate our understanding of the world

• Location: X's headquarters in Mountain View, CA
• Start Date(s): Year-round rolling basis
• Duration: a flexible 4 mo. to 1 year program based on project team needs and your availability

• To be embedded into one of our confidential or public X projects
• To get paid competitively and receive benefits
• To be a part of a lively community of AI and ML Residents
• To attend tech-talks with AI leaders from across X

• Must be enrolled in a PhD program focused in Geology, Geophysics, Seismology, Machine Learning, Physics, Mathematics or Statistics.
• Must be currently doing research at the interface of geology/geophysics/seismology and machine learning
• Completed coursework in geophysics, linear algebra, signal processing, machine learning, or their equivalent.
• Strong programming skills in Python. Proficient in Numpy, Scipy, Matplotlib, scikit-learn. Proficient with ML frameworks such as Tensorflow, Keras, JAX.
• Experience with machine learning and geophysics algorithms or applications such as: deep learning, computer vision, optimization, denoising, signal processing or time-series analysis.

• Research experience in one or more following areas: full waveform inversion, elastic wave propagation, distributed acoustic sensing, microseismic.
• Projects that demonstrate relevant skills.
• Publications in relevant conferences and journals.

• https://www.wired.com/video/watch/astro-teller-captain-of-moonshots-at-x-speaks-at-wired25
• https://www.bloomberg.com/news/videos/2019-10-10/alphabet-x-s-astro-teller-on-bloomberg-studio-1-0-video
• https://www.npr.org/2025/09/12/nx-s1-5493348/astro-teller-takes-us-inside-the-moonshot-factory-building-tech-ahead-of-its-time
• https://time.com/collections/best-inventions-2024/7094574/x-taara/
• https://youtu.be/_iLJU4HORAA?si=aK8cHf64NUNcsZXr
• https://www.fastcompany.com/best-workplaces-for-innovators/list/84

The US base salary range for this position is $109,000 - $157,000 + benefits. Our salary ranges are determined by role, level, and location. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range for your location during the hiring process.

Please note that the compensation details listed in US role postings reflect the base salary only, and do not include benefits.