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Principal Researcher - Data Systems - Microsoft Research

Microsoft
United Statesfull_timeVerifiedPosted 9 Oct 2025
💰 $304,200/yr($139,900/yr$304,200/yr)

About the role

We seek a Principal Researcher with expertise in query execution, data storage, resource management for serverless cloud platformsdata discoveryand data preparation techniques. Candidates with experience in leveraging novel hardware, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Machine Learning (ML) for data management challenges are of special interest to us. 

 

Our past research has been incorporated into Microsoft’s products and services such as SQL Server, Azure SQL Database, Power BI, Excel, and Dynamics 365We have had influential publications at top conferences such as ACM SIGMODVLDB, and IEEE ICDE including several best paper awards and test-of-time awards. More details are available at Data Systems Group at 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.

 

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

  • Pursue high-ambition research on data systems in collaboration with other members of the research lab
  • Build and deploy novel systems
  • Contribute significant innovations to Microsoft’s products and services
  • Publish papers on significant research results
  • Embody our culture and values

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

  • Doctorate in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or relevant field AND 3+ years related research experience  
    • OR equivalent experience
  • A track record of research accomplishments, e.g., major conference publications (ACM SIGMOD, VLDB)

Preferred Qualifications

  • Doctorate in relevant field AND 5+ years related research experience) OR equivalent experience
  • Experience publishing academic papers as a lead author or essential contributor
  • Appetite for undertaking ambitious research challenges
  • Familiarity with traditional SQL or big data systems cloud platforms
  • Expertise in key components of data systems, e.g., distributed query execution, resource management for cloud platforms, low-code data transformations
  • In-depth knowledge of modern hardware
  • Experience with applying AI and Machine Learning techniques for challenges in data systems

Research Sciences IC5 -

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Company

Microsoft

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