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Microsoft Researcher Jobs (NOW HIRING)

At Microsoft, we run the biggest platform for collaboration and productivity in the world with ... We are an Applied Research team driving mid- and long-term product innovations. We closely ...

Principal Research Software Engineer

Redmond, WA · On-site

$151K - $202K/yr

Overview Microsoft Research (MSR) is a multidisciplinary global organization creating scientific knowledge and delivering innovation for positive human impact at scale. We work with scientific ...

Principal Applied Researcher

Redmond, WA · On-site

$188K - $304K/yr

Overview The Data and AI team in Microsoft's Developer Division is working on the future of AI for ... We are a diverse, entrepreneurial and multi-disciplinary group of scientists, researchers and ...

Overview Research Internships at Microsoft provide a dynamic environment for research careers with a network of world-class research labs led by globally-recognized scientists and engineers, who ...

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Microsoft Researcher information

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$30K

$113.1K

$164.5K

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.
More about Microsoft Researcher jobs
What cities are hiring for Microsoft Researcher jobs? Cities with the most Microsoft Researcher job openings:
What states have the most Microsoft Researcher jobs? States with the most job openings for Microsoft Researcher jobs include:
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 - GPU Performance

Senior Researcher - GPU Performance

Microsoft

Redmond, WA • On-site

$158K - $258K/yr

Full-time

Posted 19 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
Generative AI is transforming how people create, collaborate, and communicate - redefining productivity across Microsoft 365 and our customers globally. At Microsoft, we run the biggest platform for collaboration and productivity in the world with hundreds of millions of consumer/enterprise users. Tackling AI efficiency challenges is crucial for delivering these experiences at scale.
Within our Microsoft wide Systems Innovation initiative, we are working to advance efficiency across AI systems, where we look at novel designs and optimizations across AI stacks: models, AI frameworks, cloud infrastructure, and hardware. We are an Applied Research team driving mid- and long-term product innovations. We closely collaborate with multiple research teams and product groups across the globe who bring a multitude of technical knowledge in cloud systems, machine learning and software engineering. We communicate our research both internally and externally through academic publications, open-source releases, blog posts, patents, and industry conferences. Further, we also collaborate with academic and industry partners to advance the state of the art and target material product impact that will affect 100s of millions of customers.
We are looking for a Senior Researcher - GPU Performance - Hardware/Software Codesign researcher to explore hardware/kernel-level optimizations to deliver significant efficiency gains for Large Language Models and Generative AI experiences.
The qualified candidate will have a solid background in GPU architecture, accelerator design, machine learning, or systems research and the ambition to apply them to large scale production systems. This role combines deep technical knowledge in GPU architecture with practical implementation skills to create efficient, scalable computational kernels. Further, the qualified candidate is expected to demonstrate a history of solving hard technical problems and is motivated to tackle the hardest problems in building a full end-to-end AI stack. An entrepreneurial approach and ability to take initiative and move fast are essential.
Have a look at this link for reading: Efficient AI - Microsoft Research
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
  • Design, implement, and optimize GPU kernels for complex computational workloads such as AI inferencing.
  • Research and develop novel optimization techniques for generation of GPU kernels.
  • Profile and analyze kernel performance using advanced diagnostic tools.
  • Generate automated solutions for kernel optimization and tuning.
  • Collaborate with other researchers to improve model performance.
  • Document optimization strategies and maintain performance benchmarks.
  • Contribute to the development of internal GPU computing frameworks.

Qualifications
Required Qualifications:
  • Doctorate in relevant field
    • OR equivalent experience.
  • 2+ years of experience in GPU architecture, memory hierarchies, parallel computing and algorithm optimization.
  • 2+ years of experience in GPU programming, including performance profiling and optimization tools.
  • Reliable C++ programming skills.

Other Requirements:
Ability to meet Microsoft, customer and/or government security screening requirements are required for this role. These requirements include but are not limited to the following specialized security screenings:
  • Microsoft Cloud Background Check: This position will be required to pass the Microsoft Cloud background check upon hire/transfer and every two years thereafter.

Preferred Qualifications:
  • 5+ years of experience in GPU programming and optimization, expert knowledge of CUDA, ROCm, Triton, PTX, CUTLASS, or similar GPU programming frameworks.
  • Experience with machine learning frameworks (PyTorch, TensorFlow).
  • Familiarity with compiler optimization techniques and background in auto-tuning and automated code generation.
  • Publication record in relevant conferences or journals (MLSys, NeurIPS, ICML, ICLR, AISTATS, ACL, EMNLP, NAACL, ISCA, MICRO, ASPLOS, HPCA, SOSP, OSDI, NSDI, etc.)

#M365Core #M365Research #Research
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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