Research Intern, AI & Human Systems (NYC)

Overview

Research Internships at Microsoft offer a dynamic setting for research careers, with world-class research labs led by globally recognized scientists and engineers. They work across computing, healthcare, economics, the environment and other fields to solve complex challenges.

The AI & Human Systems group at Microsoft Research New York City (MSR NYC) and Microsoft Research New England (MSR NE) is seeking multiple Research Interns. The group brings together researchers and applied scientists from the Fairness, Accountability, Transparency, and Ethics in AI (FATE), Sociotechnical Alignment Center (STAC), Economics and Computation, and Computational Social Science (CSS) groups. This posting covers work across any of these areas, and members collaborate closely with each other and with other Microsoft groups.

The group shares a goal: a world where AI boosts productivity, accelerates innovation, and helps people flourish by focusing their attention, enhancing their capabilities, and safeguarding their agency. Research Interns contribute to this goal by working with mentors on research that advances it.

The group's research draws on several disciplines to study, measure, and design AI systems and their effects on people, teams, organizations, markets, economies, and societies. Topics include AI measurement and evaluation, the impacts of AI on individuals and society, human-AI interaction and meaningful human engagement with AI, and the design of agentic systems, markets, and institutions.

Applicants should show interest in studying AI and human systems, a desire to work in a highly interdisciplinary environment, and experience using AI to thoughtfully enhance their own research. Applicants should also be proficient with AI tools.

Responsibilities

Research Interns learn, collaborate, and network alongside doctoral candidates and leading researchers. They advance their own careers while contributing to research and development. During the 12-week internship, interns are paired with mentors, collaborate with other interns and researchers, present findings, and take part in the community. Research internships cover all areas of research and are offered year-round, though they typically begin in the summer.

Other Requirements

Research Interns must be physically located at their manager's Microsoft worksite for the duration of the internship. Applicants must submit a cover letter, a minimum of two reference letters, and any relevant work or research samples. Reference letters may be requested after the application is submitted, not necessarily for all candidates.

Preferred Qualifications

• 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.
• Proficiency with AI tools.

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, and the position stays open for a minimum of 5 days or until filled.