Research Intern

Redmond, Washington, United States

Date posted

Oct 27, 2025

Job number

1903410

Work site

3 days / week in-office

Travel

None

Role type

Individual Contributor

Profession

Research, Applied, & Data Sciences

Discipline

Applied Sciences

Employment type

Internship

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 Microsoft Applied Sciences Group incubates disruptive technologies for Microsoft's next-gen hardware products and is working on several exciting projects that will shape how computers and other devices perceive the user and the user's environment. Operating as a startup within the company, this team works closely with several research and product teams to bring compelling new experiences to the market. A lot of these experiences will be powered by large language models, natural language processing (NLP), speech, and computer vision – and as part of this team, you will have the unique opportunity to develop and implementing the machine learning (ML) algorithms and deep neural network (DNN) models that make magic happen

We are seeking a Research Intern to join our team, focusing on Computer Use Agents (CUA). The research will explore key areas including CUA architecture design, UI grounding, tool use and orchestration, and reinforcement learning. Experience in working with large language models (LLMs) and small language models (SLMs) is required.

As a Research Intern, you will collaborate closely with a growing team of talented researchers in a highly innovative environment. The potential for impact is substantial, with opportunities to contribute to the next generation of intelligent computer use systems.

• At least 1 year of research experience with Large Language Model or Small Language Models
• Currently enrolled in a PhD or Master program in Computer Science or a related STEM 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.

• Research experience or publication in computer use agent,UI grounding, tool use, orchestration, and reinforcement learning
• Publications in AI/ML conferences and journals

Applied Sciences IC2 - The base pay range for this internship is USD $5,610 - $11,010 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 $7,270 - $12,030 per month.

Applied Sciences IC3 - The base pay range for this internship is USD $6,710 - $13,270 per month.

Certain roles may be eligible for benefits and other compensation. Find additional benefits and pay information here:

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

Research Interns put inquiry and theory into practice. 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.

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

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Industry leading healthcare

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Educational resources

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Discounts on products and services

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Savings and investments

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Maternity and paternity leave

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Generous time away

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Giving programs

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Opportunities to network and connect

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 and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application process, read more about requesting accommodations.