AI Security Research Scientist Intern (Security Flow) - 2025 Spring/Summer (PhD)

Responsibilities

TikTok is the leading destination for short-form mobile video. At TikTok, our mission is to inspire creativity and bring joy. TikTok's global headquarters are in Los Angeles and Singapore, and its offices include New York, London, Dublin, Paris, Berlin, Dubai, Jakarta, Seoul, and Tokyo.

Why Join Us
Creation is the core of TikTok's purpose. Our platform is built to help imaginations thrive. This is doubly true of the teams that make TikTok possible.
Together, we inspire creativity and bring joy - a mission we all believe in and aim towards achieving every day.
To us, every challenge, no matter how difficult, is an opportunity; to learn, to innovate, and to grow as one team. Status quo? Never. Courage? Always.
At TikTok, we create together and grow together. That's how we drive impact - for ourselves, our company, and the communities we serve.
Join us.

This Internship Program runs for 10-24 weeks. Candidates can also apply for both Off-cycle Intern position and Program Intern position.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. We encourage you to apply early. Candidates can apply to a maximum of TWO positions and will be considered for jobs in the order you apply. The application limit is applicable to TikTok and its affiliates' jobs globally.

Nestled within TikTok's Flow AI Organization, the Security AI team stands as a beacon of innovation, leveraging cutting-edge Large Language Model (LLM) technology to fortify the digital fortress of TikTok's global products and infrastructures. Tasked with constructing, implementing, and sustaining secure frameworks, the team pioneers a new frontier in AI Security Research, inviting talented individuals with a background in LLM to join through the student researcher program. Through collaboration and unwavering commitment, this dynamic team ensures a safe and secure digital experience for users worldwide while offering a stimulating environment for LLM enthusiasts to thrive and shape the future of AI security.

Responsibilities:
1. Spearhead in-depth research on AI-specific security threats, encompassing adversarial attacks, model tampering, and data privacy concerns, with a specific focus on aligning Large Language Models (LLMs) with safety protocols.
2. Innovate strategies to detect and mitigate AI security vulnerabilities across diverse domains, including natural language processing, computer vision, and other machine learning arenas, ensuring seamless integration of LLM technology with safety measures.
3. Foster collaboration with cross-functional teams to seamlessly embed AI security protocols, particularly tailored to LLM advancements, into both existing and emerging products, ensuring robust protection and user safety.
4. Lead the charge in staying abreast of cutting-edge trends and breakthroughs in AI security, actively participating in conferences and fostering engagement within the wider research community, particularly emphasizing LLM-centric safety advancements.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualification:
1. Ph.D. degree in Computer Science with the specific focus on AI, safety/security, or related fields.
2. Demonstrated experience in conducting AI research with published papers or presentations in recognized conferences or technical forums.
3. Proficiency in programming languages such as Python, R, or Java, and familiarity with AI/ML frameworks like TensorFlow or PyTorch.
4. Excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to think creatively about complex challenges.

Preferred Qualifications:
1. Hands-on experience in developing and deploying secure AI systems in a real-world setting.
2. Prior experience in industry or academic settings, working on large-scale AI projects and research.
3. Having extensive experience in large language model development and research

TikTok is committed to creating an inclusive space where employees are valued for their skills, experiences, and unique perspectives. Our platform connects people from across the globe and so does our workplace. At TikTok, our mission is to inspire creativity and bring joy. To achieve that goal, we are committed to celebrating our diverse voices and to creating an environment that reflects the many communities we reach. We are passionate about this and hope you are too.

TikTok is committed to providing reasonable accommodations in our recruitment processes for candidates with disabilities, pregnancy, sincerely held religious beliefs or other reasons protected by applicable laws. If you need assistance or a reasonable accommodation, please reach out to us at https://shorturl.at/cdpT2

By submitting an application for this role, you accept and agree to our global applicant privacy policy, which may be accessed here: https://careers.tiktok.com/legal/privacy.