PhD Internship (f/m/d) - AI Research - Foundation Models on Structured Data

We help the world run better

At SAP, we keep it simple: you bring your best to us, and we'll bring out the best in you. We're builders touching over 20 industries and 80% of global commerce, and we need your unique talents to help shape what's next. The work is challenging – but it matters. You'll find a place where you can be yourself, prioritize your wellbeing, and truly belong. What's in it for you? Constant learning, skill growth, great benefits, and a team that wants you to grow and succeed.

What You’ll Do

• As a PhD Intern you will work with a team of experienced researchers and applied scientists taking on challenges informed by scaling AI methods across and beyond the broad portfolio of SAP’s business software. You will have the chance to work with some of the richest data sets available in the world addressing problems that have impact on our customers.
• Perform state of the art research on Foundation Models on Structured Data and Semantically Linked Tables or closely related topics.
• Publish research results and contribute to research that can be applied to SAP product development.
• Collaborate with academic researchers and cross-functional partners including communicating research plans, progress, and results.
  
  

What You Bring

• You are a PhD student at least in your second year or PostDocs, specializing the research area of Foundation Models on Structured Data Experience in deep learning, transformer architectures, and self-supervised learning.
• A strong publication record in recognized ML/NLP conferences or journals such as ICLR, ICML, NeurIPS.
• Proficient in PyTorch and Python with a good understanding of statistical analysis and shell programming
• Must be fluent in English.
  
  

The duration of the internship is at least 4 months but ideally 6 months and should take place in 2026.

Meet your team 

SAP's AI organization is dedicated to seamlessly infusing AI into all enterprise applications, enabling customers, partners, and developers to enhance business processes and generate remarkable business value. Leveraging the cutting-edge developments in AI research along with SAP’s unparalleled enterprise data assets offers a distinctive opportunity to explore an uncharted domain within AI research. As a vital part of this organization, our team is dedicated to pioneering transformative advancements in high-value domains, including Foundation Models for structured data and the development of comprehensive grounding for widespread SAP applications through Knowledge Graphs.

#SAPBusinessAICareers

Bring out your best

SAP innovations help more than four hundred thousand customers worldwide work together more efficiently and use business insight more effectively. Originally known for leadership in enterprise resource planning (ERP) software, SAP has evolved to become a market leader in end-to-end business application software and related services for database, analytics, intelligent technologies, and experience management. As a cloud company with two hundred million users and more than one hundred thousand employees worldwide, we are purpose-driven and future-focused, with a highly collaborative team ethic and commitment to personal development. Whether connecting global industries, people, or platforms, we help ensure every challenge gets the solution it deserves. At SAP, you can bring out your best.

We win with inclusion

SAP’s culture of inclusion, focus on health and well-being, and flexible working models help ensure that everyone – regardless of background – feels included and can run at their best. At SAP, we believe we are made stronger by the unique capabilities and qualities that each person brings to our company, and we invest in our employees to inspire confidence and help everyone realize their full potential. We ultimately believe in unleashing all talent and creating a better world.

SAP is committed to the values of Equal Employment Opportunity and provides accessibility accommodations to applicants with physical and/or mental disabilities. If you are interested in applying for employment with SAP and are in need of accommodation or special assistance to navigate our website or to complete your application, please send an e-mail with your request to Recruiting Operations Team: [email protected].

For SAP employees: Only permanent roles are eligible for the SAP Employee Referral Program, according to the eligibility rules set in the SAP Referral Policy. Specific conditions may apply for roles in Vocational Training.

AI Usage in the Recruitment Process

For information on the responsible use of AI in our recruitment process, please refer to our Guidelines for Ethical Usage of AI in the Recruiting Process.

Please note that any violation of these guidelines may result in disqualification from the hiring process.

Requisition ID: 442014 | Work Area: Information Technology | Expected Travel: 0 - 10% | Career Status: Graduate | Employment Type: Limited Full Time | Additional Locations: Virtual - Germany