Overview
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.

Data systems research at Microsoft Research (MSR) focuses on all aspects of large-scale data systems including infrastructure for managing cloud services, storage, query processing, and security. Our goals include reducing the total cost of ownership of systems using techniques such as auto-tuning, and query optimization, as well as to push the envelope of performance, reliability, and cost by exploiting advances in modern hardware. During this research internship you will have the opportunity to work with top researchers and engineers at MSR as well as Azure to develop innovative solutions to challenging research problems in the above technical areas.

Technology arising from our data systems research has been incorporated into Microsoft’s data and computing platforms such as SQL Server, Azure SQL DB, Azure Stream Analytics, Orleans, Bing, and SCOPE. Many of our systems artifacts have also been open-sourced and have had impact across the industry and academia. Our research also has had significant impact on the academic community with influential publications at top conferences such as SIGMOD, VLDB, ICDE, including multiple best paper awards and test-of-time awards.

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.

Qualifications
Required Qualifications
• Accepted or currently enrolled in a PhD program in Computer Science or 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 above, 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.

Preferred Qualifications
• Familiarity with internals of relational database systems, key-value stores, storage engines, and big data analytics systems may be helpful.
• Familiarity with query processing and optimization, concurrency, resource management, scheduling, and the ability to apply machine learning techniques to solve systems problems may also be desirable.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with other engineers and researchers.

The base pay range for this internship is USD $6,290 - $12,170 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 $8,060 - $13,240 per month.

Certain roles may be eligible for benefits and other compensation. Find additional benefits and pay information here: https://careers.microsoft.com/us/en/us-intern-pay
Microsoft accepts applications and processes offers for these roles on an ongoing basis.

Responsibilities
Research 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. 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 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.
Industry leading healthcare
Educational resources
Discounts on products and services
Savings and investments
Maternity and paternity leave
Generous time away
Giving programs
Opportunities to network and connect