Principal Researcher - Machine Learning & Statistics - Microsoft Research

Job ID: 200062862Posted: 2026-10-21Location: United States, Massachusetts, CambridgeSalary: USD $142,800 - $274,800 per yearEmployment type: Full-TimeWork site: 3 days / week in-officeRole type: Individual ContributorTravel: Less than 25%Profession: Research, Applied, & Data SciencesDiscipline: Research SciencesCompany: MicrosoftOverviewCall for Machine Learning, AI, & Statistics Researchers at Microsoft Research New England Microsoft Research New England in Cambridge, Massachusetts, is seeking candidates for full-time Principal Researcher positions in artificial intelligence, machine learning, and related areas.  If your research background is in these fields or a related one, we would like to hear from you!   Microsoft Research offers a supportive environment for cutting-edge theoretical and applied research across disciplines. Current areas of focus at MSR NE include the science of deep learning and generative AI, post-training, data curation and synthesis, test-time scaling, and new model architectures and training paradigms; these themes are illustrative rather than exhaustive. Researchers benefit from access to a wide range of large and small data sources, an open publication policy, and close connections with leading academic institutions. We seek candidates who can define and pursue an independent research program and who have demonstrated research impact through a strong publication record at leading venues. Microsoft Research New England brings together full-time researchers, postdoctoral researchers, data scientists, engineers, and program managers working across machine learning, statistics, healthcare, computational biology, theoretical computer science, algorithmic game theory, economics, and other disciplines. The lab fosters collaboration across fields and maintains active connections with the academic and technology communities in the Cambridge and Boston area. We are committed to building an inclusive, diverse, and pluralistic research environment. In keeping with this, Microsoft Research New England is a place where all are able to do their very best work.  Microsoft’s mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more. As employees we come together with a growth mindset, innovate to empower others, and collaborate to realize our shared goals. Each day we build on our values of respect, integrity, and accountability to create a culture of inclusion where everyone can thrive at work and beyond. ResponsibilitiesAs a Principal Researcher at Microsoft Research, you will define and lead an influential research agenda spanning fundamental and applied work. You will provide intellectual leadership across projects and disciplines, initiate ambitious collaborations, and help shape broader research priorities within Microsoft Research. You will produce sustained, field-shaping research contributions; mentor and support the development of other researchers; and identify strategic opportunities for research to influence the scientific community, Microsoft products, and society. QualificationsRequired Qualifications:Doctorate in Computer Science, Machine Learning, Mathematics, Statistics or relevant field AND 3+ years related research experienceOR Master's Degree in Computer Science, Machine Learning, Mathematics, Statistics or relevant field AND 4+ years related research experienceOR Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science, Machine Learning, Mathematics, Statistics or relevant field AND 6+ years related research experienceOR equivalent experience.Preferred Qualifications:Demonstrated record of sustained, original research impact, evidenced by influential peer-reviewed publications, widely used research artifacts, or comparable contributions, together with experience shaping research directions and leading collaborative research efforts. Experience in running large scale experiments with transformers/LLMs pre-training and/or finetuning  Experience in creating, optimizing and running large scale machine learning pipelines  Experience in building data collection and curation pipelines.  Ability to collaborate, communicate effectively, and work as part of a multi-disciplinary team. Other Requirements: To ensure we receive a complete application from you, please be sure to follow these instructions:  • Upload your Resume/CV.      • Upload (as separate attachments to your application) 1 or 2 conference or journal articles, book chapters, link to blog posts, technical reports or equivalent (potentially unpublished) writing samples that you are most proud of.   • Upload a short cover letter (no more than 2 pages) outlining technical achievements so far that you are most proud of and what you aim to continue doing moving forward. Feel free to also add extra research activities such as volunteering, civic engagement, community organizing that you might have been part of.   • Add contact information for 2/3 reference letter writers (in nearly all cases, one will be from your dissertation advisor).    After you submit your application, the system will send a request for letters to your list of references on your behalf. Note: The application system will not request reference letters until after you have submitted your application.  You can upload documents by going to your profile on the career site and clicking on the Resume Manager tab in the top right of the page, and from there selecting Other Documents. If you are having trouble submitting your application, please go to the bottom of the page and click "Support" and fill out the requested information.#Research #MSRRResearch Sciences IC5 - The typical base pay range for this role across the U.S. is USD $142,800 - $274,800 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 $188,000 - $304,200 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.