Research Intern - Gray Systems Lab (GSL)
About The Position
Gray Systems Lab (GSL) is an applied research lab within Azure Data that conducts research and development in databases, big data, and cloud systems, working closely with product teams to design solutions to real-world problems. Research areas include machine learning for systems, reinforcement learning, fine-tuning and post-training techniques, agentic workflows and systems, resource management, query optimization and execution, workload optimization, graph analytics, data storage formats and governance, emerging hardware, program analysis, data provenance, and ontologies. The lab works on Microsoft and open-source systems, including Fabric, Spark, SQL Server, MySQL, and Apache Iceberg, and collaborates with internal product groups and external university partners. This internship is for graduate students interested in cutting-edge research conducted in close collaboration with advanced industry product groups. Applicants should demonstrate a track record in systems, databases, or data science, and aptitude for hands-on system building and rigorous experimental design, including conducting and analyzing experiments at scale. The 12-week internship pairs interns with mentors and involves collaboration with other interns and researchers, presenting findings, and contributing to the research community. Internships are offered year-round and typically begin in summer. Interns are expected to be physically located at their manager’s Microsoft worksite for the internship duration.
Requirements
- Currently enrolled in a doctorate degree program in computer science, statistics, mathematics, or a relevant field.
- Demonstrated research track record in one or more areas of systems, databases, or data science.
- Aptitude for hands-on system building and rigorous experimental design, including running and analyzing experiments at scale.
- Must be physically located at the manager’s Microsoft worksite for the duration of the internship.
- Submit at least two reference letters, a cover letter, and relevant work or research samples.
Nice To Haves
- Experience with one or more general-purpose programming languages, such as Python, Java, C#, C++, or Rust.
- Experience with PostgreSQL, MySQL, SQL Server, Spark, Apache Iceberg, CUDA, or another database or big data system.
- Experience contributing to research communities or efforts, including publishing papers as an author at academic conferences.
- Ability to take initiative, follow a research or productization plan, and work well as part of a team.
- Proficient critical-thinking and communication skills.
Responsibilities
- Conduct research and development in collaboration with mentors, fellow interns, and researchers.
- Present research findings.
- Contribute to the research community and its activities.
- Build systems and conduct rigorous experiments, including running and analyzing experiments at scale.
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What This Job Offers
Career Level
Intern
Education Level
Ph.D. or professional degree
