Graduate Research Intern Jobs in Decatur, GA (NOW HIRING)

How you'll help us Keep Climbing (overview & key responsibilities)

As a business unit, Delta Innovation maintains a portfolio of projects driven by fundamental research, emerging technology exploration, new product innovation, business impact, and operational goals. From investigating future opportunities and prototyping concepts to designing new interactive experiences, our research team works on real-world challenges that span the airline industry, including airport operations, customer and employee experience, and commercial applications.

As an Applied Research Intern , you will help uncover and define meaningful business opportunities by developing a deep understanding of current-state experiences, user needs, operational realities, and potential for emerging technology integration. You will leverage qualitative research methodologies to gather insights from stakeholders, subject matter experts, frontline employees, industry resources, technical documentation, standards, and other information sources.

As an Applied Research Intern, you will also contribute to the broader Delta Innovation community through knowledge sharing, intern collaboration opportunities, and special projects that support strategic innovation initiatives across the organization. You will work closely with researchers, designers, engineers, and business stakeholders to identify pain points, uncover opportunity areas, and help shape concepts, prototypes, and innovation strategies. Success in this role requires curiosity, adaptability, and the ability to navigate ambiguity while transforming complex information into actionable recommendations.

Role & Responsibilities

• Partner with stakeholders to understand businesschallenges and translate them into research objectives, learning plans,and actionable questions.

• Design and conduct qualitative research activities,including stakeholder interviews, workshops, focus groups, contextualinquiry, and observational research.

• Analyze and synthesize findings from diverseinformation sources, including interviews, operational documentation,industry research, technology assessments, and other relevant materials.

• Develop and communicate insights through researchdeliverables such as reports, briefs, presentations, personas, journeymaps, experience maps, opportunity frameworks, and design recommendations.

• Collaborate closely with design, engineering, andinnovation teams to translate research findings into concepts, prototypes,and future-state solutions.

What you need to succeed (minimum qualifications)

• Graduate student enrolled in an accredited College,University, or Institution with experience in a research-focused role(e.g., academic research, technology scouting, design research, userresearch, or a related field).

• Knowledge of qualitative research methodologies,including interviews, focus groups, workshops, ethnographic research,contextual inquiry, journey mapping, and experience research.

• Ability to identify, understand, and frame complexbusiness and technology challenges as research opportunities, synthesizinginformation from multiple sources into meaningful insights andrecommendations.

• Thrive in a fast-paced innovation environment wherepriorities, project scopes, and research approaches may evolve as new considerationsemerge.

• Seeking student with strongwork ethic, with excellent communication, organizational, attention todetail, and critical thinking skills.

• Consistently prioritizes safety and security of self, others, andpersonal data.

• Embraces diverse people, thinking, and styles.

• Possesses a high school diploma, GED, or high school equivalency.

• Is at least 18 years of age and has authorization to work in theUnited States.

What will give you a competitive edge (preferred qualifications)

• Interest in emerging technologies, including (but notlimited to) AI, robotics, IoT, AR/VR, automation, and future technologytrends.

• Familiarity with human-centered design, designthinking, service design, journey mapping, or opportunity identificationframeworks.

• Experience collaborating across business, design,engineering, or innovation teams.

• Contribute to team initiatives, intern programming,knowledge-sharing activities, and collaborative projects that extendbeyond assigned research efforts.

Benefits and Perks to Help You Keep Climbing

Delta Air Lines, Inc. is an Equal Employment Opportunity / Affirmative Action employer and provides reasonable accommodation in its application process for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans. If you are a qualified individual, you may request a reasonable accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to access job openings through this site, apply for jobs through Delta’s online system, or at any point in the selection process. To request a reasonable accommodation, please click here