Job Description

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. Our researchers and engineers 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.

This position is for a research internship with the EPIC (Extended Perception, Interaction & Cognition) research group in Microsoft Research’s Redmond Lab.

EPIC conducts fundamental research that innovates at the nexus of hardware, software, and human potential. We are an interdisciplinary group of researchers, engineers, scientists, and designers at Microsoft Research who study Human-Computer Interaction through prototyping, system-building, design sketching, and observational study of human behavior.

We explore these topics with an inquisitive, curiosity-driven mindset that values diverse and inclusive perspectives, and that respects the many ways-of-knowing that characterize a multi-disciplinary field like Human-Computer Interaction.

Topics of interest for internships this year include (but are certainly not limited to):

• cross-device interaction, interactive distributed systems, and the “Society of Devices” (ubicomp, device ecologies, and the internet of things);
• information visualization;
• qualitative analyses and ethnographic methods;
• sensors, actuators, displays, and interactive systems;
• embedded interactive device hardware and firmware (tools, processes and communities that support hardware design, prototyping, fabrication and manufacturing);
• virtual, augmented, and mixed reality (VR/AR/MR), including projection and other transformations of reality;
• avatars, personal representations, embodiment, and the extended self;
• telepresence and Computer-Supported Cooperative Work (CSCW), including the future of hybrid and remote work;
• proxemics, micro-mobility, and other sociological aspects of technology-mediated human behavior and communication;
• design, design materials, and design tools;
• user interface systems research and API/toolkit design, including cross-platform development.
• multi-modal interaction (e.g. input and interaction techniques for speech, touch, in-air gestures, handwriting, simultaneous pen + touch, or other emerging modalities).
  
  

We value your ideas and unique viewpoints on these topics, as well, and indeed hope that our partnership and collaboration will shape initial directions into exciting, ambitious, and impactful research contributions that only you could have crafted.

You can learn more about the EPIC’s research agenda, publications, videos, and team members at http://aka.ms/epic-research.

Responsibilities

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. Interns not only advance their own careers, but they also contribute to exciting research and development strides. During the 12-week internship, students 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.

Qualifications

In addition to the qualifications below, 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.

Required Qualification

Must be accepted, applying to, or currently enrolled in a PhD program relevant to Human-Computer Interaction, Computer Science, or a related STEM field (with a 6-month grace period either way; for example, you are eligible if you finished your PhD within of beginning your internship (approximately May/June 2021); or, if you are nearing the end of your M.S. in a relevant field and are currently applying to Ph.D. programs, with anticipated acceptance within 6 months).

Preferred Qualification

Applicants may be preferred who can demonstrate at least 1 year experience conducting original research in (or closely related to) Human-Computer Interaction, and further be able to document their research contributions with publicly available resources (e.g. by linking to papers, pre-prints, videos, demonstrations, repositories, articles, press coverage, or research proposals in your submitted CV).

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.