Research Intern - AI & Human Systems

Microsoft • New York, NY

12h • Onsite

About The Position

Microsoft Research is seeking multiple Research Interns for the AI & Human Systems group at Microsoft Research New York City and Microsoft Research New England. The group brings together researchers and applied scientists from areas including fairness, accountability, transparency, and ethics in AI; sociotechnical alignment; economics and computation; and computational social science. Its shared goal is to help AI boost productivity, accelerate innovation, and help people flourish while safeguarding human agency.

Interns work with mentors on interdisciplinary research that studies, measures, and designs AI systems and examines their effects on people, teams, organizations, markets, economies, and societies. Areas of interest include AI measurement and evaluation; measuring AI’s impacts; human–AI interaction and meaningful human engagement; and designing agentic systems, markets, and institutions that shape AI’s participation in society and the economy.

The internship lasts 12 weeks. Interns collaborate with mentors, fellow interns, and researchers, present findings, and contribute to the research community. Research internships are available year-round, though they typically begin in the summer. Interns are expected to be physically located at their manager’s Microsoft worksite for the duration of the internship. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis; the posting recommends applying by December 1, 2026.

Requirements

• Currently enrolled in a doctorate degree program in a related field.
• Demonstrated interest in studying AI and human systems.
• Desire to work in a highly interdisciplinary environment.
• Experience using AI to thoughtfully enhance one’s own research.
• Proficiency with AI tools.
• Must be physically located at the manager’s Microsoft worksite for the duration of the internship.
• Submit a cover letter, at least two reference letters, and relevant work or research samples.
• The cover letter should include a research website or publications link; applicable research topic areas; PhD field; research methodologies; relevant toolkits; code repository links if appropriate; and researchers of interest with a one-sentence explanation.

Nice To Haves

• Demonstrated ability to conduct original research.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with other researchers and product development teams.
• Demonstrated interpersonal skills and cross-group and cross-cultural collaboration.
• Ability to think unconventionally to derive creative and innovative solutions.

Responsibilities

• Conduct research with a mentor on topics that advance the AI & Human Systems group’s goals.
• Collaborate with other Research Interns and researchers during the 12-week internship.
• Present research findings.
• Contribute to the research community and its activities.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Intern
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree