Visitor Industry Researcher Program

Imagine embedding one of your own experts inside a CSAIL research group, working shoulder-to-shoulder with MIT talent and living in the innovation hub of Cambridge, MA.

CSAIL Alliances facilitates the Visiting Industry Researcher (VIR) program, which allows industry researchers to join a CSAIL research group and work alongside MIT CSAIL faculty and students either on an ongoing CSAIL project or a project sponsored by their organization.

Companies must be CSAIL Alliances members at the Affiliate level or higher. Since this is an MIT appointment, candidates must meet MIT requirements and interview with the desired research group.

 

This is an additional engagement with a separate agreement, fee structure, and requirements. Learn more from your client relations coordinator.

Process at a Glance

Participants join CSAIL research teams for 6 or 12 months, typically starting in February or September. 

Eligibility

  • Employer: The candidate works for a CSAIL Alliances member company.
  • Education & experience: A bachelor's degree plus 5+ years of experience, or a Master's in a computer science discipline, or a PhD.
  • Technical fit: The candidate has proficiency in the research area they want to join.
  • English proficiency: Shown by a recognized test (TOEFL, IELTS, etc.), signed documentation from a school, or a documented interview with the faculty lead.

Cost

$150,000 for a 12-month appointment, with a 6-month option of $100,000.

Discounted pricing: Companies that pair their Visiting Industry Researcher with sponsored research or a gift that supports at least one graduate student are eligible for reduced program fees. Contact your client relations coordinator to discuss which option fits your company.

Program fees are in addition to CSAIL Alliances membership. 

Timeline

Step 1: Submit Candidates

We recommend starting at least 6 months ahead of the desired start date.

  • The member company sends candidate resumes and a placement request to CSAIL Alliances.
  • CSAIL Alliances reviews resumes, contacts candidates, and confirms research alignment and English proficiency.

 

Step 2: Matching

  • CSAIL Alliances works to find the best research match.
  • The candidate identifies the CSAIL researchers they'd like to work with.
  • If skills, space, and schedules line up, the researcher requests a virtual interview.

 

Step 3: Final Agreement

  • The candidate and the principal investigator (PI) hold a virtual interview.
  • If it's a match: The PI requests the appointment from the Lab Director, and the candidate moves to Preparation.
  • If not: The candidate returns to Matching.

Steps 1–3 take about 8–12 weeks.

 

Step 4: Preparation

  • CSAIL HR initiates the appointment, with visa information if applicable.
  • The sponsoring company signs the Agreement to Sponsor a Visiting Industry Researcher and returns it with the program fee.
  • The visiting researcher signs the MIT IPIA (Visiting Scientist Invention and Proprietary Information Agreement) and the MIT Non-Disclosure Agreement.
  • The sponsoring company provides a letter confirming the researcher remains its employee.
  • CSAIL Alliances sends onboarding materials to the company sponsor and the researcher.
  • Logistics, including paperwork, housing, and visa application, are handled during this stage.
  • All documents must be signed and fees paid before the researcher arrives on campus.

Step 4 takes about 3–4 months.

 

Step 5: Arrival

  • The Visiting Industry Researcher joins the CSAIL community for a 6 or 12 month appointment, working alongside MIT faculty and students on leading computer science research.
Not Yet a Member?

See the Current Members page for a full list, or contact our team to ask about joining.