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Microsoft Researcher Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Microsoft

Senior Research Software Engineer

Redmond, WA · On-site

$229K/yr

Overview Microsoft Research (MSR) is a multidisciplinary global organization working to create scientific knowledge and deliver innovation that leads to positive human impact at scale. To envision ...

Microsoft

Research Intern - AI Hardware

Redmond, WA · On-site

$6K - $13K/mo

Microsoft Research Asia - Vancouver lab, located in the vibrant city of Vancouver, BC, Canada, our lab represents Microsoft Research Asia's expansion into the Asia-Pacific region. We're on a mission ...

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How much do microsoft researcher jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 5, 2026, the average yearly pay for microsoft researcher in the United States is $113,102.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $67,000.00 and $154,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration exist for Microsoft Researchers?

Microsoft Researchers often have the chance to work alongside engineers, product managers, and other specialists across various fields, such as artificial intelligence, human-computer interaction, and cloud computing. The organization encourages interdisciplinary projects, allowing researchers to contribute their expertise to innovative products and services. This collaborative environment not only enhances research outcomes but also fosters professional growth and networking. Such cross-functional teamwork is a key part of the research culture at Microsoft, enabling researchers to see their work have a real-world impact.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Microsoft Researcher, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Microsoft Researcher, you typically need a strong background in computer science, mathematics, or a related field, often supported by a PhD and a robust research portfolio. Proficiency with programming languages (such as Python, C++, or Java), data analysis tools, and experience with research publishing platforms is essential. Creativity, collaboration, and effective communication are standout soft skills for generating innovative ideas and working within multidisciplinary teams. These skills enable researchers to drive technological advances, publish influential work, and support Microsoft's mission of inventing cutting-edge solutions.

What is the difference between Microsoft Researcher vs Data Scientist?

AspectMicrosoft ResearcherData Scientist
Required CredentialsAdvanced degrees in CS, AI, or related fieldsBachelor's or Master's in CS, Statistics, or related fields; often a PhD for senior roles
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, innovation teams, focus on R&DBusiness settings, data analysis, model development
Employer & Industry UsageTech companies, research institutions, academiaTech, finance, healthcare, e-commerce
Common Search & ComparisonYesYes

The Microsoft Researcher primarily focuses on innovative research and development in technology and AI, often working in labs or research teams. In contrast, Data Scientists analyze data to derive insights, build models, and support business decisions. While both roles require strong technical skills and often similar educational backgrounds, their work environments and objectives differ significantly.

What are Microsoft Researchers?

Microsoft Researchers are professionals who work at Microsoft Research, the research division of Microsoft, conducting cutting-edge research in computer science and related fields. They focus on advancing technology by exploring innovations in artificial intelligence, machine learning, human-computer interaction, and other areas. Their work often leads to new products, services, and academic publications, influencing both industry and academia. Microsoft Researchers collaborate with other experts globally and contribute to solving complex scientific and technological challenges.
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Microsoft Researcher jobs near you
Infographic showing various Microsoft Researcher job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 93% Full Time, and 7% Part Time. Highlights an 90% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $113,102 per year, or $54.4 per hour.
Senior Researcher - Security - Microsoft Research

Senior Researcher - Security - Microsoft Research

Microsoft

Redmond, WA • On-site

$158K - $258K/yr

Full-time

Posted 9 days ago

Microsoft rating

8.6

Company rating: 8.6 out of 10

Based on 125 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

47th of 186 rated software companies

Job description

Overview
The Security Research Group at Microsoft Research Redmond is pushing the boundaries of data-driven security. By leveraging the massive volume and diversity of security-relevant events observed across Microsoft's platforms and customer environments, our mission is to detect security breaches accurately, quickly, and at an unprecedented scale.
In this role as a Senior Researcher - Security, you will work alongside leading researchers and engineers to design and build next-generation intrusion detection systems. Our work combines security expertise with advanced data processing and modeling techniques-including large-scale streaming analytics and graph-based representations-to enable near-real-time detection of sophisticated attacks.
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.
Responsibilities
  • Analyze large-scale, heterogeneous security event logs spanning endpoints, identities, cloud services, and networks.

  • Develop and train novel machine learning and statistical models for intrusion detection, anomaly detection, and adversarial behavior discovery.

  • Design and prototype scalable data processing and analytics platforms capable of operating on high-volume, high-velocity security data, with a focus on low-latency detection.

  • Explore and apply advanced techniques such as graph-based modeling, streaming computation, and representation learning to improve detection accuracy and timeliness.

  • Collaborate closely with other researchers, product teams, and engineering partners to transition research ideas into practical systems with real-world impact.

  • Publish and present research results in top security, systems, and data management venues, and contribute to Microsoft's broader security strategy.

Qualifications
Required/Minimum Qualifications
  • Doctorate in relevant field OR Master's Degree in relevant field AND 3+ years related research experience OR Bachelor's Degree in relevant field AND 4+ years related research experience OR equivalent experience.

Additional or Preferred Qualifications
  • A PhD (or equivalent experience) in computer science or a related field, with a strong research background in security, machine learning, data mining, systems, or a closely related area.

  • Experience working with large-scale data, including log analysis, streaming data, or distributed data processing systems.

  • Demonstrated foundations in machine learning or statistical modeling, and interest in applying these techniques to real-world security problems.

  • The ability to independently drive research projects from problem formulation through implementation, evaluation, and dissemination.

  • A collaborative mindset and interest in bridging foundational research and deployed security systems.

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 $158,400 - $258,000 per year.
Certain roles may be eligible for benefits and other compensation. Find additional benefits and pay information here:
https://careers.microsoft.com/us/en/us-corporate-pay
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.

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About Microsoft

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Our infrastructure is comprised of a large global portfolio of more than 100 datacenters and 1 million servers. Our foundation is built upon and managed by a team of subject matter experts working to support services for more than 1 billion customers and 20 million businesses in over 90 countries worldwide. With environmental sustainability and optimization at the forefront of our datacenter design and operations, we continue to grow and evolve as we meet the ever-changing business demands that hold Microsoft as a world-class cloud provider.

Industry

Computer and computer peripheral equipment and software wholesalers

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Redmond, WA, US

Year founded

1975

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