Applied Scientist II and Senior Applied Scientist (Multiple Positions) - Office AI Science team

Applied Scientist II and Senior Applied Scientist (Multiple Positions) - Office AI Science team

Microsoft 365 Copilot is a groundbreaking productivity tool that leverages the power of large language models, user data, Microsoft Graph, and the web to drive unparalleled creativity and productivity. At the heart of this innovation is the Office AI Science team, which plays a crucial role in the aid of development of Copilot experiences in Office apps like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint and assists teams across Microsoft. We own the infrastructure and base AI platform that enables complex orchestration of Copilot workflows to put powerful AI capabilities at the user’s fingertips.   

We leverage the most advanced, large language models (LLMs) to develop cutting-edge Copilot experiences. We are hands-on, assist our partner teams in their Machine Learning (ML) efforts and set guidance on best practices through detailed experimentation and research. We have important AI skills like PowerPoint Summary, Q&A, Podcast generation, among others. We have shipped the first fine-tuned model for M365 and are working on multiple fine-tuning scenarios for o3, CUA, and others.  

We are seeking a highly motivated and experienced scientist with expertise in machine learning. As an Applied Scientist II and Senior Applied Scientist (multiple positions) in Office AI, you would work in an exciting and fast-paced environment, collaborating closely with teams across the company, including Microsoft Research and various product groups. You will work as part of an organization that brings together talent in the areas of large language models, deep learning, information retrieval, software engineering, and responsible AI. We value and encourage Inclusivity in the belief that it leads to both great workplaces and great products.  

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.

Responsibilities

• Research and develop an understanding of the state-of-the-art tools, technologies, and methods being used in the research community and product groups.  
• Advance research agenda through one or more projects, yielding new algorithms, prototypes, theories, tools, methods, or collections of data. 
• Drive the team's strategic vision and align it with the overall company objectives.  
• Collaborate with stakeholders to define project goals, success criteria, and deliverables.  

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree in Statistics, Econometrics, Computer Science, Electrical or Computer Engineering, or related field AND 2+ years related experience (e.g., statistics, predictive analytics, research)
  • OR Master's Degree in Statistics, Econometrics, Computer Science, Electrical or Computer Engineering, or related field AND 1+ year(s) related experience (e.g., statistics, predictive analytics, research)
  • OR Doctorate in Statistics, Econometrics, Computer Science, Electrical or Computer Engineering, or related field
  • OR equivalent experience.
• 1+ years experience with transformer-based models (e.g., GPT, Llama).
• 2+ years experience with Python and relevant ML libraries (e.g., PyTorch). 
• 2+ years experience in coding and design, specifically in the development of AI models for scaled production services.  
• 2+ years experience in shipping applied research to production, highlighting a track record of combinin