Research Intern - AI & Human Systems

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 pursue innovation in a range of scientific and technical disciplines to help solve complex challenges in diverse fields, including computing, healthcare, economics, and the environment.

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.

AI & Human Systems brings together researchers and applied scientists who have been part of the Fairness, Accountability, Transparency, and Ethics in AI (FATE), Sociotechnical Alignment Center (STAC), Economics and Computation, and Computational Social Science (CSS) groups. This posting is for candidates interested in working with researchers and applied scientists across any of these areas. Group members collaborate extensively with one another and with other groups across Microsoft.

The group shares a common 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 will contribute to this goal by working with mentors on research that advances it.

Our research draws on diverse disciplinary perspectives to study, measure, and design AI systems and understand their effects on people, teams, organizations, markets, economies, and societies. Topics include, but are not limited to: AI measurement and evaluation; measuring the impacts of AI on individuals, organizations, and society; human–AI interaction and meaningful human engagement with AI; and the design of agentic systems, markets, and institutions that shape how AI participates in the economy and society.

Applicants should demonstrate an 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. We welcome applicants pursuing a doctoral degree in technical fields (e.g., machine learning, artificial intelligence, natural language processing, statistics, computer science), economics, computational social science, or sociotechnical fields (e.g., human–computer interaction, information science, law, linguistics, science and technology studies) as well as JD candidates. Applicants should be proficient with AI tools.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. We recommend submitting by December 1, 2026.

Responsibilities

Alongside fellow doctoral candidates and some of the world’s best researchers, Research Interns learn, collaborate, and network for life. Research Interns not only advance their own careers, but they also contribute to exciting research and development strides. During the 12-week internship, Research Interns are paired with mentors and expected to collaborate with other Research Interns and researchers, present findings, and contribute to the vibrant life of the community. Research internships are available in all areas of research, and are offered year-round, though they typically begin in the summer.

Required Qualifications

Currently enrolled in a Doctorate Degree program in a related field.

Other Requirements

Research Interns are expected to be physically located in their manager’s Microsoft worksite location for the duration of their internship.

In addition to the qualifications below, you’ll need to submit a minimum of two reference letters for this position as well as a cover letter and any relevant work or research samples. After you submit your application, a request for letters may be sent to your list of references on your behalf. Note that reference letters cannot be requested until after you have submitted your application, and furthermore, that they might not be automatically requested for all candidates. You may wish to alert your letter writers in advance, so they will be ready to submit your letter.

All applicants must submit a cover letter, which we will use to route your application to the appropriate researchers for review. Our group collaborates frequently across disciplines, but we also understand the value of pairing interns with mentors who work with similar vocabularies and tools. Because this document is for routing only, please do not invest much time in it and include only the information requested below. We are hiring for a wide variety of projects, and different projects require different skills, so it is fine to answer "not applicable."

Please explicitly list in your cover letter

A link to your research website/publications

Which of the following topic areas you are interested in (list all that are applicable): AI measurement and evaluation; measuring the impacts of AI on individuals, organizations, and society; human–AI interaction and meaningful human engagement with AI; or the design of agentic systems, markets, and institutions that shape how AI participates in the economy and society

What field is your PhD in

• What kinds of methodologies you have applied in your research or are most familiar with (e.g., coding, statistics, large scale data analysis, theoretical/mathematical analysis, user studies, experimental design, ethnography)
• Key toolkits, if applicable: web development (e.g., JavaScript, React.js, D3.js, etc.), analytic toolsets (e.g., R, Python, etc.), etc.
• If appropriate, a link to any online code repositories (e.g., GitHub, OSF, Hugging Face)
• Any researchers you are particularly interested in working with (and explain why in one sentence)
• To submit your cover letter, please navigate to the Action Center in your Careers Profile. You can upload other documents under the “Resume Manager” tab in the top right.

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.

The base pay range for this internship is USD $6,810 - $13,480 per month. 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 $8,920 - $14,610 per month.

Certain roles may be eligible for benefits and other compensation. Find additional benefits and pay information here: https://careers.microsoft.com/us/en/us-intern-pay

Microsoft accepts applications and processes offers for these roles on an ongoing basis throughout the academic calendar (September - April).

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.

Insights from previous hires

Top skills: Architecture, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Algorithms, Agents, Science, Agile Methodologies, Machine Learning, Computer Science, Cascading Style Sheets (Css), C++

Common previous titles: Senior Researcher, Scientist, Senior Scientist, Cloud Solution Architect, Senior Data Analyst, Specialist, Software Engineer II, Software Engineer, Senior Data Scientist, Partner