PhD Research Intern – Graph Learning & Agentic AI for Fraud Detection

📋 Description

• • Embark on a groundbreaking research journey as a PhD Research Intern at Socure, a leader in identity trust infrastructure for the digital economy. This unique internship opportunity, spanning Summer 2026, places you at the forefront of innovation, tackling some of the most complex and dynamic challenges in fraud detection. You will be an integral part of our Fraud Data Science team, contributing to the development of next-generation AI systems that safeguard businesses, governments, and individuals from evolving fraudulent activities.
• • At Socure, we are committed to verifying 100% of good identities in real-time, a mission that requires relentless pursuit of cutting-edge solutions. The fraud landscape is a constantly shifting battleground, characterized by adversarial actors, rapidly changing tactics, and vast, complex datasets. This role is designed for individuals who thrive in such an environment, possessing a deep intellectual curiosity and a drive to push the boundaries of machine learning research.
• • Your primary focus will be on pioneering novel modeling approaches at the intersection of advanced graph-based learning techniques and sophisticated agentic AI systems. This includes exploring and extending state-of-the-art architectures such as Graph Neural Networks (GNNs), graph transformers, and other advanced graph representation learning methods. You will be instrumental in designing scalable solutions capable of handling dynamic, heterogeneous, and massive-scale fraud graphs, which are the backbone of our detection capabilities.
• • Beyond graph learning, you will delve into the exciting realm of agentic AI and Large Language Model (LLM)-augmented systems. This involves investigating how these intelligent agents can automate risk reasoning, streamline complex investigation workflows, and provide intelligent decision support to our operational teams. The goal is to create systems that can not only detect but also understand and adapt to fraudulent behaviors with unprecedented autonomy and intelligence.
• • The challenges inherent in fraud detection research are significant: extreme class imbalance, where fraudulent activities are rare but highly impactful; evolving adversaries who constantly adapt their methods; weak supervision signals that require robust learning techniques; and the stringent constraints of real-world production deployment. You will be tasked with developing learning techniques that are not only accurate but also robust and trustworthy, capable of performing reliably in these adversarial and non-stationary environments.
• • This internship is more than just an academic exercise; it's an opportunity to translate cutting-edge research insights into tangible, system-level implications. You will collaborate closely with experienced data scientists and engineers, bridging the gap between theoretical advancements and practical, production-scale applications. Your work will directly influence the evolution of Socure's fraud detection systems, ensuring they remain at the pinnacle of effectiveness.
• • A key outcome of your research will be the potential for significant intellectual property generation, including patent filings, and the dissemination of your findings through publications in top-tier academic venues. This provides a unique platform to build your academic profile while gaining invaluable industry research experience.
• • You will be empowered to formulate and drive your own original research directions, fostering an environment of independent exploration and innovation. The role demands a proactive approach to scoping and executing open-ended research problems, demonstrating your ability to navigate ambiguity and deliver impactful results.
• • The ideal candidate is a PhD student with a strong academic record and a proven track record of research excellence, eager to apply their theoretical knowledge to solve real-world problems with significant societal impact. This is a chance to contribute to a mission-driven company that is shaping the future of digital trust and security.