Principal Researcher – AI (Agentic Systems & Interaction) – Microsoft Research

Microsoft Research (MSR) AI Frontiers is inviting applications for a Principal Researcher to join our team. We are focused on solving real-world problems and pushing the boundaries of agentic AI systems and interaction research.  

The mission of the AI Frontiers lab is to expand the pareto frontier of Artficial Intelligence (AI) capabilities, efficiency, and safety through innovations in foundation models and learning agent platforms. Some of our projects include work on multi-agent systems (e.g. AutoGen), small language models (e.g. Phi, Orca), foundation models for actions (e.g., in gaming, robotics, and Office productivity tools), and evaluation (e.g., Eureka). 

We are seeking exceptional candidates to advance the state-of-the-art in foundation model-based agentic systems and interaction research. Focus areas include, but are not limited to, the following: 

• Multi-agent systems and applications 

• Foundation model-based agents 

• Reliable and general-purpose agentic capabilities 

• Human-AI/agent interaction and experiences 

• Agentic evaluation and tooling 

• Responsible AI 

As a Principal Researcher on our team, you will work hands-on on challenging and impactful projects. You will apply your strong technical skills and expertise to build practical solutions to real world problems. Additionally, you will collaborate closely with other researchers and engineers across the company to amplify your impact and grow your career in a supportive and stimulating environment. 

Microsoft’s mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more. As employees we come together with a growth mindset, innovate to empower others, and collaborate to realize our shared goals. Each day we build on our values of respect, integrity, and accountability to create a culture of inclusion where everyone can thrive at work and beyond.

In alignment with our Microsoft values, we are committed to cultivating an inclusive work environment for all employees to positively impact our culture every day.

Responsibilities

• Perform cutting edge research to solve real-world problems, including designing, developing, evaluating and sharing new foundation model-based technologies. 

• Collaborate hands-on with other researchers, engineers, and product group partners on high-impact projects that deliver real-world impact to people and society. 

• Embody our culture and values.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications: 

• Doctorate in Computer Science or relevant field AND 3+ years related research experience
  • OR equivalent experience.
• Publication record as a lead author or essential contributor at top venues such as: CHI, NeurIPS, UIST, ICML, ICLR, ACL, EMNLP, CVPR, AAAI, ICAPS.

Preferred Qualifications: 

• Doctorate in relevant field AND 5+ years related research experience 

• OR equivalent experience. 

• Hands-on experience building and working with large foundation models (e.g., OpenAI GPT models, LLAMA, etc.) and state-of-the-art ML frameworks and toolkits (e.g., Pytorch, Tensorflow, Langchain, AutoGen). 

• Demonstrated software engineering experience building and deploying prototypes, applications, or open-source technologies. Providing a link to a GitHub profile (if available) and/or code samples, is highly encouraged. 

• Hands-on experience evaluating AI models or systems (e.g., running benchmark experiments or user studies, analyzing data). 

• Experience working in multi-disciplinary teams along with a team player mindset, characterized by effective communication, collaboration, and feedback skills. 
• Reference letters are welcomed, though they are not mandatory. Please include them if available. 

Research Sciences IC5 - The typical base pay range for this role across the U.S. is USD $137,600 - $267,000 per year. There is a different range applicable to specific work locations, within the San Francisco Bay area and New York City metropolitan area, and the base pay range for this role in those locations is USD $180,400 - $294,000 per year.

Certain roles may be eligible for benefits and other compensation. Find additional benefits and pay information here: https://careers.microsoft.com/us/en/us-corporate-pay

Microsoft will accept applications and processes offers for these roles on an ongoing basis.

Microsoft is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran status, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws, regulations and ordinances.  We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. If you need assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application or the recruiting process, please send a request via the Accommodation request form.

Benefits/perks listed below may vary depending on the nature of your employment with Microsoft and the country where you work.

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