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Data Scientist Intern - Client Innovation Center (Entry Level) 2026

IBM

IBM

Data Science
Buffalo, NY, USA · Delft, Netherlands
Posted on Jan 28, 2026
Introduction

About the Client Innovation Center (CIC)

IBM Consulting Client Innovation Centers (CICs) are high-delivery, team-based environments where technologists work onsite to build real solutions for real clients.

At CIC, interns collaborate closely with data scientists, data engineers, and consultants to support analytics and AI-enabled solutions across industries. Our delivery centers are built for learning through delivery, combining hands-on project exposure, structured training, mentorship, and teamwork to help students build strong analytical foundations and prepare for early-career roles in data and consulting.

This role is ideal for individuals who enjoy working with data, learning analytical techniques, and collaborating in an in-person, team-based environment.

In this role, you'll work in one of our IBM Consulting Client Innovation Centers (Delivery Centers), where we deliver deep technical and industry expertise to a wide range of public and private sector clients around the world. Our delivery centers offer our clients locally based skills and technical expertise to drive innovation and adoption of new technology.

Your role and responsibilities

The Data Scientist Intern role is a developmental, learning-focused position that provides hands-on exposure to data analysis, machine learning concepts, and analytics delivery in a professional consulting environment.

This role is not about owning models, designing enterprise AI systems, or being an expert on day one. It is about applying academic knowledge, learning how analytics is used to solve business problems, and supporting delivery teams with data-driven insights.

High-performing interns may be considered for conversion into IBM Consulting’s full-time Associate Data Scientist program based on performance and business needs.

As a Data Scientist Intern, you will:

  • Support data analysis and modeling activities under the guidance of experienced data scientists and consultants
  • Assist with gathering, cleaning, and preparing data for analysis and modeling
  • Contribute to exploratory data analysis and basic statistical or machine learning techniques
  • Help evaluate model results and document findings
  • Support the development of simple data pipelines or analytical workflows using programming languages such as Python
  • Assist in communicating analytical insights to technical and non-technical team members
  • Learn how analytics, AI, and automation are applied within client delivery environments
  • Build analytical and professional skills through mentorship, training, and hands-on project work

Work Location & Onsite Expectations:

This internship role is based in an IBM Client Innovation Center (CIC) and requires regular onsite presence at the assigned delivery center. Working onsite enables hands-on learning, real-time collaboration, and mentorship that support faster growth and stronger delivery outcomes. Interns work in a collaborative, in-person team environment.

Work Authorization

  • IBM will not provide visa sponsorship for this position. Candidates must be eligible to work in the U.S. without current or future sponsorship requirements.
Required education
High School Diploma/GED
Preferred education
Bachelor's Degree
Required technical and professional expertise

These qualifications are essential for success in the role.

Analytical and Learning Skills

  • Strong interest in data science, analytics, machine learning, or AI
  • Analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to approach tasks using structured, logical thinking
  • Comfortable working onsite in a collaborative, team-based environment
  • Ability to work effectively in a technology-driven consulting environment where tools, platforms, and client needs evolve over time
  • Ability to learn new tools, techniques, and technologies in a delivery setting

Technical Foundation Skills

  • Currently pursuing coursework in a quantitative or technical field such as Computer Science, Data Science, Mathematics, Statistics, Engineering, AI, or a related discipline
  • Coursework or hands-on experience using Python or another analytical programming language
  • Familiarity with basic concepts such as data manipulation, statistics, or algorithms through coursework, labs, or projects

Education

  • High School Diploma or GED

Preferred:

  • Currently pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Data Science, Mathematics, Statistics, Engineering, AI, or a related field.
Preferred technical and professional experience

Preferred Skills (Nice-to-Haves):

  • Exposure to data analysis, statistical modeling, or machine learning through academic projects, internships, hackathons, or research
  • Familiarity with common data science libraries (e.g., pandas, NumPy, scikit-learn, or similar)
  • Exposure to cloud or analytics platforms through coursework or labs
  • Interest in areas such as AI-enabled analytics, automation, or data-driven decision making
  • Experience working on team-based projects that involve data analysis or technical problem-solving

ABOUT BUSINESS UNIT

IBM Consulting is IBM’s consulting and global professional services business, with market leading capabilities in business and technology transformation. With deep expertise in many industries, we offer strategy, experience, technology, and operations services to many of the most innovative and valuable companies in the world. Our people are focused on accelerating our clients’ businesses through the power of collaboration. We believe in the power of technology responsibly used to help people, partners and the planet.

YOUR LIFE @ IBM

In a world where technology never stands still, we understand that, dedication to our clients success, innovation that matters, and trust and personal responsibility in all our relationships, lives in what we do as IBMers as we strive to be the catalyst that makes the world work better.

Being an IBMer means you’ll be able to learn and develop yourself and your career, you’ll be encouraged to be courageous and experiment everyday, all whilst having continuous trust and support in an environment where everyone can thrive whatever their personal or professional background.

Our IBMers are growth minded, always staying curious, open to feedback and learning new information and skills to constantly transform themselves and our company. They are trusted to provide on-going feedback to help other IBMers grow, as well as collaborate with colleagues keeping in mind a team focused approach to include different perspectives to drive exceptional outcomes for our customers. The courage our IBMers have to make critical decisions everyday is essential to IBM becoming the catalyst for progress, always embracing challenges with resources they have to hand, a can-do attitude and always striving for an outcome focused approach within everything that they do.

Are you ready to be an IBMer?

ABOUT IBM

IBM’s greatest invention is the IBMer. We believe that through the application of intelligence, reason and science, we can improve business, society and the human condition, bringing the power of an open hybrid cloud and AI strategy to life for our clients and partners around the world.

Restlessly reinventing since 1911, we are not only one of the largest corporate organizations in the world, we’re also one of the biggest technology and consulting employers, with many of the Fortune 500 companies relying on the IBM Cloud to run their business.

At IBM, we pride ourselves on being an early adopter of artificial intelligence, quantum computing and blockchain. Now it’s time for you to join us on our journey to being a responsible technology innovator and a force for good in the world.

IBM is proud to be an equal-opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, pregnancy, disability, neurodivergence, age, or other characteristics protected by the applicable law. IBM is also committed to compliance with all fair employment practices regarding citizenship and immigration status.

OTHER RELEVANT JOB DETAILS

Supplemental 1 employees may be eligible for up to 8 paid holidays, minimum of 56 hours paid sick time and the IBM Employee Stock Purchase Plan. IBM offers paid family medical leave and disability benefits to eligible employees where required by applicable law.
This position was posted on the date cited in the key job details section and is anticipated to remain posted for 15 days from this date or less if not needed to fill the role.
We consider qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable law.

The compensation range and benefits for this position are based on a full-time schedule for a full calendar year. The salary will vary depending on your job-related skills, experience and location. Pay increment and frequency of pay will be in accordance with employment classification and applicable laws. For part time roles, your compensation and benefits will be adjusted to reflect your hours. Benefits may be pro-rated for those who start working during the calendar year.