Senior UX Researcher

Job ID: 200055797Posted: 2026-09-17Location: United States, Washington, SeattleSalary: USD $119,800 - $234,700 per yearEmployment type: Full-TimeWork site: 3 days / week in-officeRole type: Individual ContributorTravel: Less than 25%Profession: Design & CreativeDiscipline: UX ResearchCompany: MicrosoftOverviewThe Windows + Devices, Design + Research team is hiring a Senior UX Researcher to help shape the future of Windows in an AI world. In this role, you will lead research that informs how AI shows up across Windows, from the features people use every day to the places where the OS, apps, and AI meet real work.This is a technical research role. You will work side by side with the engineers and scientists building local models, and your research will influence decisions about model behavior, fine-tuning, and the tradeoffs that shape what ships. You'll help teams frame the right questions early and stay close through iterative development and post-launch learning.We're looking for a researcher who is fluent in how modern AI models work. You understand models and pipelines at a real level, can hold a substantive conversation about model behavior, and know the difference between a model problem and a product problem. You've built genuine depth in how AI systems work, whether through hands-on work with models, evaluation systems, or study of their limitations.You bring real experience researching AI experiences, whether that's human-AI interaction, LLM-mediated products, quality measurement, or trust and safety, and you hold a clear point of view on what good looks like. You thrive in ambiguity, bring clarity to complexity, and answer unspoken questions with precision, depth, and durability.You put people first, both the customers you study and the teammates you work with. You raise the craft bar of the researchers around you and mentor others as they grow.If you are energized by shaping the future of Windows in an AI world and want your research to reach more than a billion people, we would love to hear from you.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.ResponsibilitiesLead end-to-end research on AI experiences in Windows, from framing the right questions early to guiding decisions through iterative development and post-launch learning.Work directly with engineers and applied scientists building local models, translating between user needs and technical choices about model behavior, training data, and system design.Look beyond the current roadmap to anticipate where AI will change the product next, bringing insight that shapes decisions before they land as feature work.Set the methodological bar for how the team studies non-deterministic AI systems, combining qualitative insight with behavioral, telemetry, and model evaluation signals in close collaboration with data science and engineering.Develop a point of view on what good looks like for AI experiences, holding model behavior and user behavior in the same frame.Build credibility and trust with product, design, engineering, and science leaders that lets your research change decisions, not just inform them.Raise the craft bar of the researchers around you through mentorship, peer review, and shared standards for AI research.QualificationsRequired Qualifications: Doctorate in Human-Computer Interaction, Human Factors Engineering, Computer Science, Technical Communications, Information Science, Information Architecture, User Experience Design, Behavioral Science, Social Sciences, or related field AND 1+ year(s) User Experience Research experience.OR Master's Degree in Human-Computer Interaction, Human Factors Engineering, Computer Science, Technical Communications, Information Science, Information Architecture, User Experience Design, Behavioral Science, Social Sciences, or related field AND 3+ years User Experience Research experience.OR Bachelor's Degree in Human-Computer Interaction, Human Factors Engineering, Computer Science, Technical Communications, Information Science, Information Architecture, User Experience Design, Behavioral Science, Social Sciences, or related field AND 4+ years User Experience Research experience.OR equivalent experience.Preferred Qualifications:Master's Degree in Human-Computer Interaction, Computer Science, Cognitive Science, Information Science, or related field.Technical understanding of how modern AI models and pipelines work, built through hands-on work with models, evaluation systems, or applied research on model behavior and limitations.Experience partnering directly with engineers or applied scientists on AI or ML products.Direct experience with model fine-tuning, evaluation frameworks, or trust and safety research.#W+DJOBSUX Research 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.