Research Intern - Applied Science in Viva Insights

Research Internships at Microsoft provide a dynamic environment for research careers with a network of world-class research labs led by globally-recognized scientists and engineers, who pursue innovation in a range of scientific and technical disciplines to help solve complex challenges in diverse fields, including computing, healthcare, economics, and the environment.

Viva Insights aims to create cultures where people and businesses thrive by improving how people and organizations work with data and science. The product enables organizations to use actionable workplace insights to increase productivity and engagement and helps them through their AI transformation journey. We are here to help employees feel better and be better at work, and organizations achieve important business outcomes. Learn more about Viva Insights here.

The Viva Insights Applied and Data Science is a team of Data & Applied Scientists that work together to leverage advanced analytics, ML/AI techniques, and behavioral research to find new ways to measure human behavior, drive impactful improvements to the Viva Insights product, and conduct research to discover new interventions to help our customers thrive at work in the age of AI. 

Required Qualifications

• Current PhD student in computer science, artificial intelligence, data science, or related fields.   
• At least 1 year experience conducting original research in (or closely related to) Natural Language Processing, ML, Agentic technologies, HCI and/or HAI.   

Other Requirements

• Research Interns are expected to be physically located in their manager’s Microsoft worksite location for the duration of their internship.
• In addition to the qualifications below, you’ll need to submit a minimum of two reference letters for this position as well as a cover letter and any relevant work or research samples. After you submit your application, a request for letters may be sent to your list of references on your behalf. Note that reference letters cannot be requested until after you have submitted your application, and furthermore, that they might not be automatically requested for all candidates. You may wish to alert your letter writers in advance, so they will be ready to submit your letter. 

Preferred Qualifications

• Familiarity with LLMs and their applications in real-world systems.  
• Proven experience with lightweight machine learning techniques and their integration with deep learning models.  
• Demonstrated proficiency in mixed-technologies and AI prototyping 
• Experience with Organizational Behavior, Computational Social Science and end-to-end data modeling. 
• Programming proficiency in Python and experience with machine learning frameworks (e.g., TensorFlow, PyTorch)  
• Demonstrates the ability to think unconventionally to derive creative and innovative solutions.  
• Published research in top-tier AI/ML or HCI/HAI conferences (e.g., NeurIPS, ACL, CHI etc). 
• Familiarity with human-computer interaction (HCI) principles and methods for studying user interactions with AI systems. 
• Strong project management skills to work with diverse teams. 
• A keen interest in translating cutting-edge AI research into real-world business impact. 

The base pay range for this internship is USD $6,550 - $12,880 per month. 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 $8,480 - $13,920 per month.

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

Microsoft accepts 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.

Research Interns put inquiry and theory into practice. Alongside fellow doctoral candidates and some of the world’s best researchers, Research Interns learn, collaborate, and network for life. Research Interns not only advance their own careers, but they also contribute to exciting research and development strides. During the 12-week internship, Research Interns are paired with mentors and expected to collaborate with other Research Interns and researchers, present findings, and contribute to the vibrant life of the community. Research internships are available in all areas of research, and are offered year-round, though they typically begin in the summer.

In this role you will conduct and source research needed to back Viva Insights product directions with science and uncover innovative ideas for product growth. You will use data science, research and analytics to be at the forefront of product strategy and investment, identify new opportunities and ideas for product innovation in partnership with customers and foster our reputation as world leaders in the organizational productivity area.

Responsibilities include:

• AI Agent Prototype Development and Impact Study: Utilize machine learning, natural language processing, and other AI engineering techniques to design and build an AI agent capable of providing data-driven insights and scientific interpretations of Copilot usage data and other relevant behavioral and business data. Conduct a study to evaluate the impact of the agent on key business outcomes.
• Collaboration across disciplines: Collaborate across applied science, user research, data science, product, engineering, and design to scope agent capabilities, develop a phased plan and build a working science-backed agent that addresses real customer needs in the employee experience and data and analytics markets. 
• Knowledge sharing and product impact: Provide insights and breakthroughs through prototypes, internal learning sessions, and external thought leadership, and work with product teams to incorporate findings into the existing Copilot Analytics product. 
• Publication and internal reports: Work towards submitting a research paper in a top conference or journal in HCI or AI applications as well as author internal reports for leadership in product.