Join Microsoft Research AI as a Principal Researcher

Are you passionate about shaping the future of Artificial Intelligence (AI)? Do you thrive on solving real-world challenges using cutting-edge technologies? The Human-AI eXperiences (HAX) team at Microsoft Research AI Frontiers is looking for exceptional talents to advance human-AI collaboration. Focus on harnessing the capabilities of people and foundation model-based agents and systems to address real problems.

About the Role

As a Principal Researcher, you will:

• Work on challenging and impactful projects in areas such as human-AI collaboration, foundation model-based systems, multi-agent systems, next-gen AI experiences, and responsible AI.
• Utilize your skills and expertise to develop practical solutions that solve real-world issues and create a global impact.
• Collaborate with researchers and engineers across Microsoft, enhancing your impact and career growth in a supportive and stimulating environment.

Candidate Profile

We are seeking candidates who possess:

• A drive for real-world impact, demonstrated by a passion for building and releasing prototypes or OSS frameworks.
• A proven track record of influential projects and publications in top-tier conferences and journals (e.g., NeurIPS, ICML, AAAI, CHI, UIST).
• Interdisciplinary experience in applied machine learning, natural language processing, and human-computer interaction, including offline/online evaluations and user studies.
• Exceptional coding and hands-on expertise with large foundation models and related frameworks and toolkits. Familiarity with LLMs (e.g. OpenAI GPT models, LLAMA), model fine-tuning techniques (LORA, QLORA), prompting techniques (Chain of Thought, ReACT), and model evaluation is a plus.
• A passion for innovation and creativity, evidenced by the ability to generate novel ideas and solutions.
• A team-oriented mindset characterized by effective communication, collaboration, and feedback skills.

Microsoft's Commitment

Microsoft’s mission is to empower every individual and organization on the planet to achieve more. We foster a growth mindset, innovate to empower others, and collaborate to achieve shared goals. We build on values of respect, integrity, and accountability to create an inclusive culture where everyone can thrive at work and beyond. We’re committed to positively impacting our company's culture daily.

Responsibilities

• Conduct cutting-edge research to solve real-world problems.
• Collaborate closely with researchers, engineers, and product group partners on high-impact projects that benefit society.
• Embody Microsoft’s culture and values in all work and interactions.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

• Doctorate in Computer Science or related fields AND 3+ years of related research experience OR equivalent experience.

Application Requirements:

• Upload your Curriculum Vitae (CV) listing all peer-reviewed publications and preprints.
• Provide a link to your GitHub profile (if available).
• Include at least three (3) references. Note: Reference letters will be requested after you submit your application. Please inform your referees in advance.
• Submit a research statement detailing your research achievements and agenda.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Doctorate in a relevant field AND 5+ years of related research experience OR equivalent experience.
• Experience publishing academic papers as a lead or essential contributor.
• Experience participating in top conferences in relevant research domains.
• Ability to define an ambitious, original research agenda.
• Proven ability to collaborate effectively in a multi-disciplinary team.
• Keen interest in real-world applications and impact.

Compensation and Benefits

The typical base pay range for this role across the U.S. is USD $133,600 - $256,800 per year. For the San Francisco Bay Area and New York City metropolitan area, the base pay range is USD $173,200 - $282,200 per year. Some roles may be eligible for additional benefits and compensation. Find additional benefits and pay information here.