Senior Applied Scientist

Microsoft’s mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more. The Office of the Chief Scientific Officer (OCSO) advances this mission by leading cross-company initiatives at the intersection of scientific discovery, technological innovation, and societal impact.

As an Senior Applied Scientist, you will contribute to strategic efforts in Artificial Intelligence (AI), biosciences, and the sociotechnical dimensions of AI’s influence on people and society. You’ll work in a vibrant, multidisciplinary environment, collaborating across Microsoft to explore emerging scientific, technical, and sociotechnical opportunities, and help shape the responsible development and deployment of AI technologies.

We seek an Senior Applied Scientist with experience exploring sociotechnical challenges and opportunities in one or more of the following domains: technical, legal, societal, or ethical considerations related to AI advances. Efforts will include directions leveraging AI advances to augment human intellect and exploring the role of AI in the future of work.

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.

In alignment with our Microsoft values, we are committed to cultivating an inclusive work environment for all employees to positively impact our culture every day.

Responsibilities

As an Senior Applied Scientist, you will have an opportunity to develop your career as a member of a vibrant environment for cutting-edge, multidisciplinary Research & Development (R&D), spanning both theoretical and applied work, and efforts across a spectrum of technical and policy-centric efforts.

Responsibilities Include:

• Contributes to innovation and knowledge sharing: Participates in technology transfer, co-authors white papers and may collaborate on publishing research to promote intellectual leadership and impact.
• Develops deep expertise and applies advanced analytical techniques: Gains domain-specific and broad research knowledge, consults with teams, and applies cutting-edge tools and methods.
• Supports team growth, learning, and external engagement; maintains ties with academic and professional communities, and contributes to recruiting and mentorship efforts.
• Supports projects aligned with OCSO priorities and operations, ensuring effective team rhythms and follow-through.
• Initiates and coordinates projects that engages teams of research scientists and engineers across the company.
• Serves as a key liason for the Chief Scientific Officer, including efforts within OCSO and across collaborating teams.
• Partners directly with the Chief Scientific Officer to scope, structure, and drive forward new workstreams of strategic importance.
• Coordinates cross-boundary collaborations with groups including Microsoft Research and product divisions such as Microsoft AI and Experiences + Devices (E+D).
• Embody our culture and values.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Statistics, Econometrics, Computer Science, Electrical or Computer Engineering, or related field AND 4+ years related experience (e.g., statistics predictive analytics, research)
• 1+ year(s) of experience conducting research, writing publications, and performing research efforts in economics or related areas.
• Demonstrated success with oversight of one or more complex analytical projects, preferably working with real-world data.
• OR Master's Degree in Statistics, Econometrics, Computer Science, Electrical or Computer Engineering, or related field AND 3+ years related experience (e.g., statistics, predictive analytics, research)
• OR Doctorate in Statistics, Economics, Computer Science, Electrical or Computer Engineering, or related field AND 1+ year(s) related experience (e.g., statistics, predictive analytics, research)
• OR equivalent experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• PhD-level training in economics, computer science, or related areas with demonstrated doctoral-level research.
• Experience exploring sociotechnical challenges and opportunities, including one or more of technical, legal, societal, and ethical considerations of AI advances.
• Ability to anticipate needs, manage ambiguity, and create structure and framing for high-leverage focus.
• Demonstrated ability to build collaborative relationships.
• Demonstrates excellent interpersonal skills with an ability to collaborate across groups and cultures, and communicates complex ideas effectively to diverse audiences
• History of effective collaborations with researchers and other colleagues.

Applied 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

Microsoft will accept applications for the role until September 23, 2025.

Microsoft is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran status, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws, regulations and ordinances.  We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. If you need assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application or the recruiting process, please send a request via the Accommodation request form.

Benefits/perks listed below may vary depending on the nature of your employment with Microsoft and the country where you work.