Research Intern - Gray Systems Lab (GSL)

Microsoft•Redmond, WA

6d•Onsite

About The Position

Microsoft’s Research Internships provide a collaborative environment for research careers, connecting interns with world-class research labs and researchers. Gray Systems Lab (GSL) is an applied research lab within Azure Data that conducts research and development in databases, big data, and cloud systems in close collaboration with product teams. Its work addresses areas including 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. Research spans Microsoft internal and open-source systems such as Fabric, Spark, SQL Server, MySQL, and Apache Iceberg. The lab seeks graduate students interested in cutting-edge research conducted alongside industry product groups. Candidates should have a track record in systems, databases, or data science and an aptitude for hands-on system building and rigorous experimental design, including running and analyzing experiments at scale. During the 12-week internship, interns are paired with mentors, collaborate with other interns and researchers, present findings, and contribute to the research community. Internships are offered year-round and typically begin in the summer. Interns must be physically located at their manager’s Microsoft worksite for the duration of the internship.

Requirements

Currently enrolled in a doctorate degree program in computer science, statistics, mathematics, or a relevant field.
Demonstrated 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 a minimum of 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/productization plan, and work well as part of a team.
Proficient critical thinking and communication skills.

Responsibilities

Collaborate with mentors, fellow interns, and researchers on research and development.
Present research findings.
Contribute to the research community during the 12-week internship.
Conduct hands-on system building and rigorous experimental design, including running and analyzing experiments at scale.