Google DeepMind Research Ready Programme

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Is your undergraduate degree in computer science or a related area? Are you in your penultimate or final year of your undergraduate degree, or have recently graduated? Take part in a paid, eight-week summer internship at the University of York and learn about the design, verification and assurance of intelligent robots.

Google DeepMind Research Ready is a pioneering new scheme supporting UK universities to deliver research placements that provide undergraduate students and recent graduates from socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds and underrepresented groups within engineering with research experience in AI.

The scheme is a partnership between the Royal Academy of Engineering, Google DeepMind and The HG Foundation. It is funding up to 120 paid AI research placements in summer 2025, hosted by 11 UK universities.

Who is this opportunity for?

This exciting programme is jointly created by two world leading research centres here at York: RoboStar, a centre of excellence on software engineering for robotics, and the Centre for Assuring Autonomy, which is dedicated to pioneering research and innovation in AI and safety.

We are looking for twelve talented students from across the UK to work on projects with our world-class researchers. You’ll also be working with some of our current PhD students - a fantastic opportunity to find out what it’s like to be a postgraduate researcher at York.

We are offering a generous stipend, support with travel costs and free accommodation on campus at York  (subject to travel distance from your home address).

What will you be doing?

Working with leading academics in the fields of intelligent robots and safe AI, you’ll focus on research themes with real-world impact. Here is just a taster of the projects that you may become involved in:

• Development of control software for robots that use deep learning
• Use of machine learning methods to address risks posed by Galactic Cosmic Radiation to human tissues during long-duration deep space missions (in collaboration with NASA Ames Research Center)
• Simulation of a solar farm for autonomous inspection and maintenance
• Integration of Small Language Models into autonomous decision-making systems
• Use of Large Language Models to evaluate healthcare safety investigation reports for evidence of systems thinking

As well as getting involved in research, you’ll also attend a series of tutorials and practical sessions. We’ll give you plenty of opportunities to put your new-found knowledge and skills into practice and, at the end of your internship, we’ll celebrate your success at a special departmental event.

While at York, you’ll become a member of a diverse, multinational academic community, and will have support and guidance from our academic team. You’ll work closely with your fellow interns and our current PhD students, and you’ll develop skills that will support your future academic and career path. 

Where will you be based?

Our campus-based university is renowned for its green spaces and lakes and is just a short bus or cycle ride from the historic city centre of York. 

During your internship, you’ll be based in the Department of Computer Science on Campus East. If you choose to live on campus during your time at York, your room will be located on Campus West, which is a 15 minute walk or a short bus ride from Campus East.

• Find out more about our campus
• Find out more about the city of York

Find out more about the Google DeepMind Research Ready programme with our information webinar. Hear about the projects on offer in the fields of intelligent robotics and AI and find out more about how to apply.