Principal Researcher - Machine Learning & Statistics - Microsoft Research
About The Position
Microsoft Research New England in Cambridge, Massachusetts, seeks a full-time Principal Researcher in artificial intelligence, machine learning, statistics, or a related area. The lab supports cutting-edge theoretical and applied research and currently focuses, among other topics, on the science of deep learning and generative AI, post-training, data curation and synthesis, test-time scaling, and new model architectures and training paradigms. Researchers have access to large and small data sources, an open publication policy, and connections with leading academic institutions. The role is for a researcher who can define and pursue an independent research program and demonstrate research impact through a strong record of publications or comparable contributions. Microsoft Research New England brings together researchers, postdoctoral researchers, data scientists, engineers, and program managers across machine learning, statistics, healthcare, computational biology, theoretical computer science, algorithmic game theory, economics, and other disciplines. The lab encourages cross-disciplinary collaboration and maintains connections with academic and technology communities in the Cambridge and Boston area. The Principal Researcher will define and lead an influential research agenda spanning fundamental and applied work, provide intellectual leadership across projects and disciplines, initiate ambitious collaborations, and help shape research priorities at Microsoft Research. The role also produces sustained, field-shaping research contributions, mentors and supports other researchers, and identifies strategic opportunities for research to influence the scientific community, Microsoft products, and society. Microsoft Research New England is committed to an inclusive, diverse, and pluralistic research environment. Microsoft describes its mission as empowering every person and organization to achieve more, and emphasizes growth mindset, innovation, collaboration, respect, integrity, accountability, and inclusion.
Requirements
- Doctorate in Computer Science, Machine Learning, Mathematics, Statistics, or a relevant field and 3+ years of related research experience; OR a master's degree in one of these fields or a relevant field and 4+ years of related research experience; OR a bachelor's degree in one of these fields or a relevant field and 6+ years of related research experience; OR equivalent experience.
- Ability to define and pursue an independent research program.
- Demonstrated research impact through a strong publication record at leading venues.
Nice To Haves
- Demonstrated sustained, original research impact through influential peer-reviewed publications, widely used research artifacts, or comparable contributions, together with experience shaping research directions and leading collaborative research efforts.
- Experience running large-scale experiments with transformers/LLMs, including pre-training and/or fine-tuning.
- Experience creating, optimizing, and running large-scale machine-learning pipelines.
- Experience building data collection and curation pipelines.
- Ability to collaborate, communicate effectively, and work as part of a multidisciplinary team.
Responsibilities
- Define and lead an influential research agenda spanning fundamental and applied work.
- Provide intellectual leadership across projects and disciplines.
- Initiate ambitious collaborations and help shape broader research priorities within Microsoft Research.
- Produce sustained, field-shaping research contributions.
- Mentor and support the development of other researchers.
- Identify strategic opportunities for research to influence the scientific community, Microsoft products, and society.
Stand Out From the Crowd
Upload your resume and get instant feedback on how well it matches this job.
What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Principal
