Junior AI Research Associate

Company Description StartupVarsity is a pioneering Entrepreneurship-as-a-Service (EaaS) platform that enables enthusiasts and professionals to build real startups. The platform provides access to seed funding, mentorship from experienced industry leaders, office infrastructure, and a collaborative team environment. Participants gain hands-on experience in designing, validating, and scaling companies in a supportive ecosystem. StartupVarsity is ideal for individuals who want to learn by doing and contribute to the creation of innovative, high-impact ventures.

Role Description As a Junior AI Research Associate, you will support exploratory and applied research projects in artificial intelligence that can be leveraged within emerging startups. On a day-to-day basis, you will assist in literature reviews, data collection and preprocessing, model experimentation, and documentation of findings. You will collaborate with mentors and team members to test ideas, build prototypes, and help evaluate the feasibility of AI-powered solutions in real-world startup contexts. This is a volunteer role designed to provide learning and exposure rather than monetary compensation. The position is hybrid, based in the Greater Bengaluru Area, with a mix of in-office collaboration and some work-from-home flexibility.

Qualifications

• Foundational understanding of AI/ML concepts (e.g., supervised/unsupervised learning, basic model evaluation) and familiarity with common tools or libraries (such as Python, NumPy, pandas, scikit-learn, or similar).
• Ability to conduct structured research, including reviewing academic papers, summarizing key findings, and organizing information for team use.
• Basic data skills, such as collecting datasets, cleaning and formatting data, and documenting data sources and assumptions.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills to prepare clear research notes, reports, and presentations for technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Interest in startups, entrepreneurship, and applying AI to practical business or societal problems; prior exposure to innovation or startup ecosystems is a plus.
• Capacity to work collaboratively in a hybrid setting, manage time effectively, and take initiative in a volunteer environment.
• Relevant coursework or a degree in Computer Science, Data Science, Engineering, Mathematics, or a related field is preferred but not strictly required for motivated learners.

Selection process (transparent, 5 stages + offer)

1. Online Assessment (MCQ — fundamentals, programming, reasoning, aptitude; no prior AI

knowledge needed).

 2. 24-Hour AI Agent Building Challenge (beginner-friendly; build a working AI agent, submit via

GitHub).

3. Online Video Interview (about your challenge project).

4. Interview with HR & Technical Team.

5. Interview with the CEO.

Compensation:

• First 3 months — Internship: ₹10,000–25,000 per month
• On confirmation of job (after the internship): ₹30,000–50,000 per month

How to Apply

Apply directly via LinkedIn, or Email your profile to info@startupvarsity.com Subject: Application for Startup Mentor – StartupVarsity or

Click here to apply: https://tinyurl.com/jairesearch1

Know more: www.startupvarsity.com

StartupVarsity: Where ideas become ventures. Where talent becomes founders.