Researcher - Real World Reinforcement Learning - Microsoft Research - Microsoft

Locations open for consideration: New York NY, Cambridge MA, Montreal QC, Redmond WA, Cambridge UK

We seek outstanding applicants for Real World Reinforcement Learning researcher positions, especially related to applications or foundation models for learning with sequential decision making including reinforcement learning

For full consideration, all application materials should be submitted by December 9, 2022.

As a researcher, you have the opportunity to create and pursue a research agenda with our group's diverse array of researchers and practitioners, as well as contribute to ongoing research projects.  We collaborate extensively with groups at other MSR locations and across Microsoft.  Researchers receive a competitive salary and benefits, and are eligible for relocation benefits.

Microsoft Research offers an exhilarating and supportive environment for both theoretical and empirical cutting-edge multidisciplinary research, with access to an extraordinary diversity of data sources, an open publications policy, and close links to top academic institutions around the world.

We are seeking candidates in the general area of real world reinforcement learning and sequential decision making, especially those with a demonstrated interest in driving applications or creating agent foundation models (or learned world models more generally). Applicants should have a well-established research track record, evidenced by conference or journal publications (or equivalent pieces of writing) and broader contributions to the research community.

Applicants must have fulfilled their PhD degree requirements, including submission of their dissertation, prior to joining.  

We are committed to building an inclusive, diverse, and pluralistic research environment and strongly encourage applications from women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, veterans, as well as students with non-traditional backgrounds. We work collectively to make Microsoft Research a welcoming and productive space for all researchers.

Microsoft’s mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more, and we’re dedicated to this mission across every aspect of our company. Our culture is centered on embracing a growth mindset and encouraging teams and leaders to bring their best each day. Join us and help shape the future of the world.

How to Apply

To be assured of full consideration, all application materials, including reference letters, need to be received by December 9, 2022. Applications received after that date may or may not be considered.

To ensure we receive a complete application from you, please be sure to follow these instructions:

• Upload your CV.
• When prompted in your application, please provide the names and contact information for at least 3 reference letter writers (in nearly all cases, one will be from your dissertation advisor).
• Upload (as separate attachments to your application) 2 conference or journal articles, book chapters, or equivalent (potentially unpublished) writing samples that you are most proud of, and which best demonstrate your expertise.
• Upload (as an attachment to your application) an academic statement (no more than 4 pages) that outlines both your research achievements and agenda.

After you submit your application, the system will send a request for letters to your list of references on your behalf. Note: The application system will not request reference letters until after you have submitted your application. You may wish to alert your letter writers in advance so that they will be ready to submit your letter by our application deadline of December 9, 2022. While you will not be able to view the letters themselves, you can check the status of individual reference requests within your application.

#Research

You define your own research agenda in collaboration with other researchers, driving forward an effective program of basic, fundamental, and applied research. We highly value collaboration and building new ideas with members of the group and others. You may also have the direct opportunity to realize your ideas in products and services used worldwide.

Required qualifications

• Doctorate in relevant field OR equivalent experience

Preferred qualifications

• Research agenda that synergizes with the RWRL group.
• The ability to work in a highly collaborative and interdisciplinary environment.
• Participation and activity in the scientific community.
• Strong communication skills
• Research ability demonstrated by three conference or journal publications, book chapters, codebases, or equivalent (potentially unpublished) writing samples, requested as part of the application.

Research Sciences IC4 - The typical base pay range for this role across the U.S. is USD $112,000 - $218,400 per year.

Microsoft has different base pay ranges for different work locations within the United States, which allows us to pay employees competitively and consistently in different geographic markets (see below). The range above reflects the potential base pay across the U.S. for this role (except as noted below); the applicable base pay range will depend on what ultimately is determined to be the candidate’s primary work location. Individual base pay depends on various factors, in addition to primary work location, such as complexity and responsibility of role, job duties/requirements, and relevant experience and skills. Base pay ranges are reviewed and typically updated each year. Offers are made within the base pay range applicable at the time. At Microsoft certain roles are eligible for additional rewards, including merit increases, annual bonus and stock. These awards are allocated based on individual performance. In addition, certain roles also have the opportunity to earn sales incentives based on revenue or utilization, depending on the terms of the plan and the employee’s role. Benefits/perks listed here may vary depending on the nature of employment with Microsoft and the country work location. U.S.-based employees have access to healthcare benefits, a 401(k) plan and company match, short-term and long-term disability coverage, basic life insurance, and wellbeing benefits, among others.

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 $145,800 - $238,600 per year.

Our commitment to pay equity We are committed to the principle of pay equity – paying employees equitably for substantially similar work. To learn more about pay equity and our other commitments to increase representation and strengthen our culture of inclusion, check out our annual Diversity & Inclusion Report. ( https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/diversity/inside-microsoft/annual-report )

Understanding roles at Microsoft​ The top of this page displays the role for which the base pay ranges apply – Research Sciences IC4.The way we define roles includes two things: discipline (the type of work) and career stage (scope and complexity). The career stage has two parts – the first identifies whether the role is a manager (M), an individual contributor (IC), an admin-technician-retail (ATR) job, or an intern. The second part identifies the relative seniority of the role – a higher number (or later letter alphabetically in the case of ATR) indicates greater scope and complexity.

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.

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