Senior Researcher

Job ID: 200055955Posted: 2026-09-18Location: United States, Washington, RedmondSalary: USD $119,800 - $234,700 per yearEmployment type: Full-TimeWork site: 0 days / week in-office – remoteRole type: Individual ContributorTravel: Less than 25%Profession: Research, Applied, & Data SciencesDiscipline: Research SciencesCompany: MicrosoftOverviewMicrosoft is a company where passionate innovators come to collaborate, envision what can be and take their careers further. This is a world of more possibilities, more innovation, more openness, and the sky is the limit thinking in a cloud-enabled world. Microsoft’s Azure Data engineering team is leading the transformation of analytics in the world of data with products like databases, data integration, big data analytics, messaging & real-time analytics, and business intelligence. The products our portfolio include Microsoft Fabric, Azure SQL DB, Azure Cosmos DB, Azure PostgreSQL, Azure Data Factory, Azure Synapse Analytics, Azure Service Bus, Azure Event Grid, and Power BI. Our mission is to build the data platform for the age of AI, powering a new class of data-first applications and driving a data culture. ​​The Databases organization delivers trusted, scalable operational AI ready databases that power application development across cloud, hybrid, and on premises environments. Our portfolio includes SQL, Azure Cosmos DB, DocumentDB, PostgreSQL, and MySQL, supporting developers as they build AI native applications and run critical workloads at global scale.​ ​​We work on models, agents and indexing infrastructure for semantic retrieval and memories. Among other things, we developed DiskANN (github.com/Microsoft/DiskANN), the vector engine used across Microsoft and broadly in industry. We develop cutting edge models for semantic retrieval quality across modalities, agents for semantic retrieval and memories. We are a small team with a lot of freedom in setting technical direction and drive cross-company projects with large scope and own outcomes. We do not just value differences or different perspectives. We seek them out and invite them in so we can tap into the collective power of everyone in the company. As a result, our customers are better served.Responsibilities​Masters one or more subareas (e.g., Object Recognition, Text Classification) and gains expertise in a broad area of research (e.g., Machine Learning [ML], Natural Language - Processing, Computer Vision, Statistical Modeling). Understands the corresponding literature, applicable research techniques, and academic context. Identifies and articulates problems in an area of research that directly or indirectly impact business opportunities. Advances a research agenda through one or more research projects, yielding new algorithms, prototypes, theories, tools, methods, analyses, insights, or collections of data in one or more subareas or a broad area of research.Expands collaborative relationships with relevant product and business groups inside or outside of Microsoft as a domain expert and provides expertise or technology to them. Takes initiative and participates in activities such as incorporating relevant data security considerations and guidelines, technology transfers, benchmarking technology with public domain data, filing patents, authoring white papers, developing or maintaining tools/services for internal Microsoft use, or consulting for product or business groups. Collaborates with other relevant researchers, research groups, or engineering teams to contribute to or advance a research agenda. Contributes to organizing workshops or conference sessions. Publishes papers as lead author for high-quality conferences and journals, with an impact similar to that of a (United States) assistant professor.​ Embody our culture and values QualificationsRequired/minimum qualificationsBachelor's Degree in Computer Science or related technical field AND 4+ years technical engineering experience with coding in languages including, but not limited to, C, C++, C#, Java, JavaScript, or Python OR equivalent experience.Job Requirements: Other & Additional Ability to meet Microsoft, customer and/or government security screening requirements are required for this role. These requirements include, but are not limited to the following specialized security screenings: Microsoft Cloud Background Check: This position will be required to pass the Microsoft Cloud background check upon hire/transfer and every two years thereafter. Preferred/Additional Qualifications ​​Published research at top conferences 2+ years experience in Natural language processing, Information Retrieval or post-training 2+ years experience in hands-on experimentation.​ Research Sciences IC4 - The typical base pay range for this role across the U.S. is USD $119,800 - $234,700 per year. 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 $160,200 - $261,000 per year. Certain roles may be eligible for benefits and other compensation. Find additional benefits and pay information here:This position will be open for a minimum of 5 days, with applications accepted on an ongoing basis until the position is filled.Microsoft is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, citizenship, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, immigration status, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran or military status, race, ethnicity, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable local laws, regulations and ordinances. If you need assistance with religious accommodations and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application process, read more about requesting accommodations.