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. Our researchers and engineers 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 Urban Innovation group at Microsoft Research pursues state of the art science and technology development for urbanization. Lines of research focus on climate adaptation, health equity and environmental justice, ensuring equitable economic growth, and building strong, healthy communities.  

The team recently deployed the Eclipse network, a city-scale IoT network for low-cost air quality monitoring.  A particular priority area is the incorporation of remote sensing data. We are thus particularly interested in candidates with experience in remote sensing or cross-training satellite-based models with ground-level measurement.

With backgrounds in computer science, social sciences, engineering, biology, chemistry, and design, researchers on the Urban Innovation team bring a multidisciplinary approach to sociotechnical problems, conducting research with the aim of building the future of technology in the service of society. We thus also encourage applications from prospective interns across disciplines who can contribute to any aspect of the deployment, from air quality modeling to the design of community experiences.

Responsibilities

Interns put inquiry and theory into practice. Alongside fellow doctoral candidates and some of the world’s best researchers, interns learn, collaborate, and network for life. Interns not only advance their own careers, but they also contribute to exciting research and development strides. During the 12-week internship, students are paired with mentors and expected to collaborate with other 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.

Additional Responsibilities

Interns will collaborate with one or more mentors on a full life cycle research project, from project selection to research publication. Thus, interns will be responsible for participating in background research, some combination of project development, deployment, and/or analysis, and paper writing.

Qualifications

In addition to the qualifications below, you’ll need to submit a minimum of two reference letters for this position. 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.

Required Qualifications

• Must be currently enrolled in a PhD program in Computer Science or a related STEM field, a quantitative social science field (including urban planning), a quantitative public health field such as epidemiology or biostatistics, or environmental or atmospheric science.

Participation in the Research Internship Program requires that you are physically located in the United States or Canada for the duration of the internship.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with remote sensing data and analytics
• R or Python proficiency
• Experience with low-cost sensors and/or established interest in air pollution research
• Demonstrated ability to develop original research agendas
• Must be able to collaborate effectively with other researchers
• Excellent interpersonal skills, cross-group, and cross-culture collaboration
• Ability to think unconventionally to derive creative and innovative solutions

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.