What are the responsibilities and job description for the Data Science Intern position at Delta Dental of Missouri?
Job Title: Data Science Intern
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt
Department: IT
Reports To: Senior Data Scientist
Ready to put your data and AI skills to work on real-world challenges? Join our team as a Data Science Intern and gain hands-on experience developing AI-powered solutions, machine learning applications, and automation tools in a Microsoft Azure environment. You'll collaborate with experienced data scientists, work with technologies like Python, LLMs, NLP, and computer vision, and help build innovative solutions that make a meaningful impact on our business and customers. If you're curious, analytical, and eager to learn, we'd love to hear from you.
Position Summary
This individual will participate in a full-time internship program, working 40 hours per week for approximately four months. The intern will contribute to data science and AI application development projects addressing real-world dental insurance challenges. Projects may include developing AI agents to support business operations and benefits inquiries, enhancing internal tools, and applying computer vision, natural language processing (NLP), and large language models (LLMs). The intern will gain hands-on experience in a cloud-based Microsoft Azure environment, with opportunities to build backend services, integrate APIs and data sources, automate workflows, and develop AI testing and evaluation capabilities. Additional responsibilities may include data preparation, model development, deployment, data visualization, and other assigned tasks based on business needs and the intern’s skills and interests.
Essential Functions And Job Responsibilities
This position currently functions as a hybrid role working from both home and in-office environments. Any home office setting must be conducive to all guidelines outlined by the organization. This role operates in a general office environment and may require prolonged periods of sitting and regular use of a computer and standard office equipment. This position also requires attendance at in-person meetings, with frequency determined by management based on departmental or organizational needs.
Physical And Other Demands
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Specific vision abilities require the ability to focus distant and near objects clearly. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, talk, and hear. The employee is frequently required to use hands and arms to handle, feel, and reach as well as operate a personal computer.
Disclaimer
This job description is designed to provide a general overview of the requirements of the job and does not entail a comprehensive listing of all activities, duties, or responsibilities that will be required. The organization reserves the right to modify this job description, including assigning or reassigning job duties, at any time.
Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt
Department: IT
Reports To: Senior Data Scientist
Ready to put your data and AI skills to work on real-world challenges? Join our team as a Data Science Intern and gain hands-on experience developing AI-powered solutions, machine learning applications, and automation tools in a Microsoft Azure environment. You'll collaborate with experienced data scientists, work with technologies like Python, LLMs, NLP, and computer vision, and help build innovative solutions that make a meaningful impact on our business and customers. If you're curious, analytical, and eager to learn, we'd love to hear from you.
Position Summary
This individual will participate in a full-time internship program, working 40 hours per week for approximately four months. The intern will contribute to data science and AI application development projects addressing real-world dental insurance challenges. Projects may include developing AI agents to support business operations and benefits inquiries, enhancing internal tools, and applying computer vision, natural language processing (NLP), and large language models (LLMs). The intern will gain hands-on experience in a cloud-based Microsoft Azure environment, with opportunities to build backend services, integrate APIs and data sources, automate workflows, and develop AI testing and evaluation capabilities. Additional responsibilities may include data preparation, model development, deployment, data visualization, and other assigned tasks based on business needs and the intern’s skills and interests.
Essential Functions And Job Responsibilities
- The intern may be assigned a wide variety of tasks depending on department workload and priorities, as well as the individual’s strengths, skillset, and background. Tasks may vary from routine work to complex, multi-step projects. Specific responsibilities include:
- Supporting the development of AI agents that assist with dental operations and member and provider benefits inquiries
- Assisting in building Azure Function Apps and backend services to orchestrate AI workflows and integrate with enterprise APIs and data sources
- Developing automated evaluation tools and test scenarios to assess AI response accuracy, reliability, and adherence to business rules
- Enhancing AI agent capabilities through improvements to prompts, data retrieval, tool integrations, and workflow logic
- Utilizing computer vision, natural language processing (NLP), and large language models (LLMs) to support AI-powered applications and agentic workflows as required by the projects
- Developing and supporting automated workflows to reduce manual processes
- Collaborating with business users to gather requirements, test functionality, and incorporate feedback into AI applications
- Documenting application workflows, technical components, and evaluation results to support ongoing maintenance and improvement
- Pursing or completed a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university required; degrees in computer science, data science, mathematics, or related fields preferred
- Experience with Python through coursework, personal projects, or professional experience preferred; familiarity with libraries such as Pandas, scikit-learn, PyTorch, or OpenCV a plus
- Working knowledge of data analysis and visualization tools, such as Pandas, Matplotlib, or Seaborn
- Familiarity with APIs, SQL, data processing, scripting, or backend development preferred
- Familiarity with large language models (LLMs), prompt development, or AI agents preferred; experience with computer vision or natural language processing a plus
- Interest in developing automated tests and evaluation methods to assess AI accuracy, reliability, and performance
- Familiarity with AI-assisted coding tools such as Claude Code, Codex, or GitHub Copilot preferred, including an understanding of the importance of reviewing and validating generated code
- Familiarity with Git and collaborative software development practices a plus
- Experience with cloud platforms, particularly Microsoft Azure, and services such as Azure Functions, cloud databases, or workflow automation a plus
- Ability to break down complex problems, research potential solutions, and seek guidance when needed
- Attention to detail and a commitment to accuracy, data privacy, and responsible use of AI
- Strong verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to explain technical concepts to nontechnical audiences
- Motivated with a strong interest in learning new technologies, skills, and tasks
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team environment
- Ability to manage multiple tasks, adapt to changing priorities, and meet deadlines
- Motivated with a strong interest in learning new skills and tasks
- Ability to work independently and in a team environment
- Ability to multi-task and work under tight deadlines
- Demonstrated commitment to the company’s core values of integrity, adaptability, service-focused, accountability, curiosity, and community.
This position currently functions as a hybrid role working from both home and in-office environments. Any home office setting must be conducive to all guidelines outlined by the organization. This role operates in a general office environment and may require prolonged periods of sitting and regular use of a computer and standard office equipment. This position also requires attendance at in-person meetings, with frequency determined by management based on departmental or organizational needs.
Physical And Other Demands
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Specific vision abilities require the ability to focus distant and near objects clearly. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, talk, and hear. The employee is frequently required to use hands and arms to handle, feel, and reach as well as operate a personal computer.
Disclaimer
This job description is designed to provide a general overview of the requirements of the job and does not entail a comprehensive listing of all activities, duties, or responsibilities that will be required. The organization reserves the right to modify this job description, including assigning or reassigning job duties, at any time.
Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.