Data Science PhD Internship

Optum is a global organization that delivers care, aided by technology to help millions of people live healthier lives. The work you do with our team will directly improve health outcomes by connecting people with the care, pharmacy benefits, data and resources they need to feel their best. Here, you will find a culture guided by diversity and inclusion, talented peers, comprehensive benefits and career development opportunities. Come make an impact on the communities we serve as you help us advance health equity on a global scale. Join us to start Caring. Connecting. Growing together.

The Data Science Internship is designed for PhD students seeking an industry placement to apply advanced data science, machine learning, and generative AI techniques to real-world healthcare challenges.

The Data Science internship runs for 12 weeks commencing on July 6th, 2026.

Careers with Optum offer flexible work arrangements and individuals who live and work in the Republic of Ireland will have the opportunity to split their monthly work hours between our Dublin office and telecommuting from a home-based office in a hybrid work model.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Collaborate with the research team to design and run experiments on clinical and operational data using machine learning and generative AI techniques
• Develop and evaluate solutions using large language models and agentic workflows
• Communicate findings clearly and contribute to the prototyping of practical AI solutions for healthcare problems

You will be rewarded and recognized for your performance in an environment that will challenge you and give you clear direction on what it takes to succeed in your role, as well as providing development for other roles you may be interested in.

Required Qualifications:

• Demonstrated current enrollment in a PhD program in Computer Science, Data Science, Artificial Intelligence, or a related field
• Proven experience in machine learning, natural language processing, or generative AI, with solid proficiency in Python based data analysis
• Demonstrated familiarity with modern ML frameworks and LLM concepts such as prompt design, evaluation, retrieval, and agentic workflows

Preferred Qualifications:

• Demonstrated exposure to scalable data platforms, retrieval systems, vector databases, model serving, or modern MLOps and LLMOps practices
• Proven experience working with agentic AI frameworks or orchestration libraries

Soft Skills:

• Demonstrated solid communication and collaboration skills, with intellectual curiosity and a responsible approach to AI development

Please note you must currently be eligible to work and remain indefinitely without any restrictions in the country to which you are making an application. Proof will be required to support your application.

At UnitedHealth Group, our mission is to help people live healthier lives and make the health system work better for everyone. We believe everyone-of every race, gender, sexuality, age, location and income-deserves the opportunity to live their healthiest life. Today, however, there are still far too many barriers to good health which are disproportionately experienced by people of color, historically marginalized groups and those with lower incomes. We are committed to mitigating our impact on the environment and enabling and delivering equitable care that addresses health disparities and improves health outcomes - an enterprise priority reflected in our mission.

Diversity creates a healthier atmosphere: Optum is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to gender, civil status, family status, sexual orientation, disability, religion, age, race, and membership of the Traveller community, or any other characteristic protected by law. Optum is a drug-free workplace. © 2026 Optum Services (Ireland) Limited. All rights reserved.

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