Research Intern

Overview

Research Internships at Microsoft offer a dynamic environment for research careers, with world-class research labs led by globally recognized scientists and engineers. The work spans computing, healthcare, economics, and the environment.

This internship sits with the EPIC (Extended Perception, Interaction & Cognition) research group in Microsoft Research's Redmond Lab, and several positions are open. Interns will work on new interactive experiences that blend artificial and human intelligence, from pairing generative AI with interaction design to building multi-modal interfaces that adapt in real time to user tasks and contexts. The team welcomes interns' own ideas and viewpoints as they shape early research directions.

Key skills sought include:

• Generative AI: Large Language Models (LLMs), Vision Language Models (VLMs), Stable Diffusion, video/world/action models, real-time models, multi-agent development, and related technologies
• Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) system building and agentic development: building interactive prototypes with TypeScript, Node.js, and React, using coding agents and agentic workflows. Strong programming and software architecture fundamentals are essential to guide agents, review generated code, and validate system behavior.

Additional relevant skills (depending on projects):

• Interaction design: multimodal interactions (touch, pen, speech), context sensing, responsive and adaptive user interfaces
• Experience design: storyboarding and envisioning video techniques
• User Experience (UX) research: qualitative and quantitative user studies

The EPIC group conducts fundamental research at the intersection of hardware, software, and human potential. Its interdisciplinary team of researchers, engineers, scientists, and designers studies Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) through prototyping, system building, design sketching, and observational study of human behavior. Learn more about the group's research agenda, publications, and team at EPIC - Microsoft Research, and the broader HCI-AI research area at Future Experiences.

Responsibilities

Research Interns 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 research community. Internships are available in all areas of research and offered year-round, though they typically begin in the summer.

Other Requirements

• Interns must be physically located at their manager's Microsoft worksite location for the duration of the internship.
• Applicants must submit contact information for references, who may be contacted if needed.

The base pay range for this internship is USD $6,810 to $13,480 per month. In the San Francisco Bay Area and New York City metropolitan area, the range is USD $8,920 to $14,610 per month. Certain roles may be eligible for benefits and other compensation, found at https://careers.microsoft.com/us/en/us-intern-pay.

Microsoft accepts applications and processes offers on an ongoing basis throughout the academic calendar (September to April). The position will remain open for a minimum of 5 days, with applications accepted until it is filled.

Microsoft is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants 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. For religious accommodations or disability accommodations during the application process, see the requesting accommodations page.