PhD Intern, Data Science (2027)

Figma is growing our team of passionate creatives and builders on a mission to make design accessible to all. Figmas platform helps teams bring ideas to lifewhether 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!Figmas 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, youll bring rigorous research training to some of Figmas most important and open-ended questions, from researching emerging product and user behaviors and Figmas broader ecosystem to developing new measurement methodologies, applying causal inference or machine learning, and building analytical systems. Youll own a data science project end-to-end: from framing the question and methodology to translating findings into insights that influence Figmas 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 youll 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 Wed 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 At Figma, one of our values is Grow as you go. We believe in hiring smart, curious people who are excited to learn and develop their skills. If youre excited about this role but your past experience doesnt align perfectly with the points outlined in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyways. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.Pay Transparency Disclosure This internship role is based in either Figmas San Francisco o