Research Sciences Intern

Overview

Join Microsoft as a Research Science Intern and engage with a global community of university interns to explore passions and deliver your best work. This internship allows you to apply your talents and enthusiasm for advancing AI integration within the Azure SQL Database platform through research collaborations and innovative developments.

As an intern, you will define and pursue research problems with an emphasis on advancing academic insights, theories, algorithms, and prototypes. Your work will contribute long-term opportunities for Microsoft but may not address immediate product requirements. We are looking for candidates passionate about deep research and rapid entrepreneurial execution in databases, distributed systems, and AI. The role demands teamwork, excellent programming capabilities, and strong research skills, especially in Natural Language Understanding, Computer Vision, Machine Learning, Optimization algorithms, Data Mining, and Artificial Intelligence.

Microsoft fosters an environment supporting innovation and collaboration among researchers and engineers to develop AI technologies that improve lives worldwide. Our inclusive culture is founded on respect, integrity, and accountability.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate and enhance advanced algorithm performance on large-scale data for AI and machine learning applications.
• Develop scalable AI system prototypes and assist in progressing them to production levels.
• Collaborate effectively with team members throughout system development phases.
• Design practical solutions for large-scale, real-world challenges.
• Research emerging tools, technologies, and methods, sharing expertise to support project planning.
• Understand connections between research and Microsoft products, aiding in technology transfer, patent filing, authoring white papers, and internal tool development.

Qualifications

• Pursuing a Master’s or Doctorate degree in a related field with at least one academic term remaining following the internship.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in designing scalable data systems and applying Large Language Models and machine learning to extensive data applications.
• Proven ability to create original research agendas.
• Strong collaboration skills with researchers and product teams.
• Excellent interpersonal and cross-cultural communication abilities.
• Creative and unconventional problem-solving mindset.

Additional Requirements

• Applicants must submit at least two reference letters, a cover letter, and relevant work or research samples. Reference requests will be sent after application submission and might not be automatic for all candidates.
• Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until the position is filled, with a minimum posting duration of five days.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Microsoft is committed to equal employment opportunity. Qualified candidates will be considered regardless of age, identity, genetics, citizenship, disability status, or any other characteristics protected by law. Assistance with accommodations during the application process is available upon request.