Bell Labs Fiber Optics Co-op
Nokia
Number of Position(s): 1
Duration: 15 weeks
Date: June 1 – September 11, 2026
Location: Onsite in Murray Hill, NJ 07974, USA
The team you'll be part of:
The Advanced Photonics Research Group within Smart Network in Bell Labs advances the state of the art in high-speed and high-capacity optical communications systems and their underlying subsystems
Hands-on experience with optics and optoelectronics devices; experience in quantum communication, single-photon detection systems; multimode or multicore fibers and amplifiers; high-speed device design and
experimentation; experience in digital signal processing are desired.
Education Recommendations
Currently enrolled as a candidate for a master’s degree or diploma in Electrical Engineering, Physics, Computer Science, or a related field with an accredited school in the US.
Nokia is a global leader in connectivity for the AI era. With expertise across fixed, mobile and transport networks, powered by the innovation of Nokia Bell Labs, we’re advancing connectivity to secure a brighter world.
- Flexible and hybrid working schemes to balance study, work, and life
- Professional development events and networking opportunities
- Well-being programs, including Personal Support Service 24/7 - a confidential support channel open to all Nokia employees and their families in challenging situations
- Opportunities to join Nokia Employee Resource Groups (NERGs) and build connections across the organization
- Employee Growth Solutions, mentorship programs, and coaching support for your career development
- A learning environment that fosters both personal growth and professional development – for your role and beyond
This is a great opportunity to gain hands-on experience in optical fiber communication research. As part of this internship, you will work closely with industry experts to contribute to the development of high-speed and high-capacity fiber optic communication systems and their underlying subsystems. Your work will support innovation in next-generation optical technologies, helping to advance Nokia’s cutting-edge solutions in the field.
- Strong motivation to learn new skills in fiber optics
- Basic programming skills
- Basic background in communication technology
It would be nice if you also had:
- Experience with Python programming is a big plus
- Experience with machine learning tools
- Experience with fiber optic communication system test beds
- Experience with FPGAs or GPUs as computing units for digital signal processing
As a summer intern, you will join our research organization and contribute to projects exploring the fundamental limits of optical communication and fiber sensing.
In this role, you will:
- Contribute to cutting-edge research in optical communication and fiber sensing
- Gain hands-on experience with advanced optics and optoelectronic devices
- Develop practical skills in digital signal processing (DSP) for high-speed systems
- Enhance basic programming skills by applying Python/ML tools to research
- Understand the operations of a premier research organization