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Research Intern - Computational Social Science

Microsoft

New York, NY

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JOB DETAILS
SALARY
$6,710–$13,270 Per Year
SKILLS
Advertising, Algorithms, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Artificial Intelligence (AI) Agents, Biology, CSS (Cascading Style Sheet), Customer/Consumer Behavior, Data Analysis, Data Collection, Data Modeling, Economics, Environmental Economics, Environmental Research, Experiment Design, Forecasting, GitHub, Health Economics, Internet Search, JavaScript, Laboratory Analysis, Machine Learning, Manage Agenda, Microsoft Product Family, Online Publications, Programming Tools, Python Programming/Scripting Language, R Programming Language, React.js, Research & Development (R&D), Research Laboratory, Research Skills, Simulation, Social Media, Social Science Research, Social Sciences, Team Player, User Interface/Experience (UI/UX), Web Browsers, Web Programming
LOCATION
New York, NY
POSTED
Today
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 complexchallenges in diverse fields, including computing, healthcare, economics, and the environment.

The Microsoft Research Computational Social Science (CSS) group is widely recognized as a leading center of computational social science research, drawing on computational techniques to answer questions in the social sciences. Recently, our group has been focused on designing and understanding the impact of AI-based tools at both the individual and societal levels. At the individual level we conduct research on AI-augmented human cognition and decision-making, including research on how intelligent systems can enhance education. At the societal level, our work explores the economics of agentic markets, where AI agents represent both consumers and businesses. Additional areas of interest are: innovating ways to make data, models, and algorithms easier for people to understand; improving polling and forecasting; advancing crowdsourcing methods; understanding the market (and impact) for news and advertising.

Our approach is motivated by two longstanding difficulties for traditional social science: first, that simply gathering observational data on human activity is extremely difficult at scale and over time; and second, that running experiments to manipulate the conditions under which these measurements are made (e.g., randomly assigning large sets of interacting people to treatment and control groups) is even more challenging and often impossible.

In the first category, we exploit digital data that is generated by existing platforms (e.g., email, web browsers, search, social media) to generate novel insights into individual and collective human behavior. In the second category, we design novel experiments that allow for larger scale, longer time horizons, and greater complexity and realism than is possible in physical labs. We analyze crowdsourced participants in lab studies, AI participants in simulation studies, and user behavior infield experiments.

Other internships at MSR New England and MSR NYC can be found on the labs' listing of opportunities or in the job search tool. Microsoft Research New England and Microsoft Research New York City comprise approximately fifty full-time researchers and postdocs working in computational social science, economics and computation, FATE, machine learning and AI, computational biology, and sociotechnical systems. The labs are highly collaborative and interdisciplinary and are actively engaged with the local academic and tech communities.

Please explicitly list in your cover letter:
  1. Your data analytic toolset (e.g., R, Python, etc.)
  2. Your web development toolset (e.g., Javascript, React.js, D3.js, etc.)
  3. Your experience developing, evaluating, and/or using generative AI tools
  4. A link to any online code repositories (e.g., Github, OSF, etc.)
  5. A link to your research website/publications
You can upload documents by going to your profile on the career site and clicking on the Resume Manager tab in the top right of the page, and from there selecting Other Documents.

If you are having trouble submitting your application, please go to the bottom of the page and click "Support" and fill out the requested information.

For full consideration, please submit your application by January 9, 2026.

Responsibilities

Research Interns put inquiry and theory into practice. Alongside fellow doctoral candidates and some of the world's best researchers, Research 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 Research 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

Required Qualifications
  • Currently enrolled in a PhD program in a field related to computational social science.
  • At least 2 years of experience with data analysis in languages such as R or Python.
  • At least 1 year of experience designing, building, and analyzing online experiments.
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 below, you'll need to submit a minimum of two reference letters for this position as well as a cover letter and any relevant work or research samples. 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.
  • Provide a cover letter explicitly stating the following:
    1. Your data analytic toolset (e.g., R, Python, etc.)
    2. Your web development toolset (e.g., Javascript, React.js, D3.js, etc.)
    3. Your experience developing, evaluating, and/or using generative AI tools
    4. A link to any online code repositories (e.g., Github, OSF, etc.)
    5. A link to your research website/publications
Preferred Qualifications
  • Skills for modern web development tools (e.g., JavaScript) for online experiments.
  • Demonstrated ability to develop original research agendas.
  • Track record of cross-group and cross-culture collaboration.
  • Ability to think unconventionally to derive creative and innovative solutions.


You can upload documents by going to your profile on the career site and clicking on the Resume Manager tab in the top right of the page, and from there selecting Other Documents.

If you are having trouble submitting your application, please go to the bottom of the page and click "Support" and fill out the requested information.

The base pay range for this internship is USD $6,710 - $13,270 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 $8,760 - $14,360 per month.

Certain roles may be eligible for benefits and other compensation. Find additional benefits and pay information here:

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

This position will be open for a minimum of 5 days, with applications accepted on an ongoing basis until the position is filled.

Microsoft is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, citizenship, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, immigration status, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran or military status, race, ethnicity, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable local laws, regulations and ordinances. If you need assistance with religious accommodations and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application process, read more about requesting accommodations.

About the Company

M

Microsoft

DO WHAT YOU LOVE
Make your mark on the world’s most used technologies. Develop the next hit mobile application. Pioneer a startup that could be the next big thing. At Microsoft, you choose your path.

Headquartered in Redmond, Washington, Microsoft is a top innovator in both the consumer and enterprise technology industry. Just a few of the many things our products do are unleash creativity, connect businesses, and make learning more fun. But our continued success is based on one thing: our employees. We hire amazing, talented people and give them the opportunities—and the tools—to succeed.

WHY MICROSOFT?
As a Microsoft employee, you’re surrounded by a diverse group of the smartest people in your field. This fosters new ideas, better business results, and creates a dynamic work environment. In the office, you’re constantly challenged and supported by your colleagues. Every day holds something new and exciting.

We also offer unparalleled depth and breadth of career opportunities. As an industry leader in multiple fields, working for Microsoft means being able to do whatever you feel passionate about—and being able to make an impact in that field. From day one, we give our employees significant responsibility. This means that you’ll know that you directly contributed to something that has a positive impact on people worldwide. Whether you choose to work in management, dive deep into the newest technology, or explore multiple professions, you’ll find everything you need at Microsoft to drive your career—and to make a difference.

WE GET IT – YOU’RE MORE THAN YOUR JOB
Everyone works differently and is motivated by different things. We also understand that there’s more to you than your job. That’s why we offer competitive pay and a wide assortment of benefits-- to help you make the most of life at work and away from it.

GET THE BALL ROLLING
COMPANY SIZE
10,000 employees or more
INDUSTRY
Computer Software
FOUNDED
1975
WEBSITE
http://www.microsoft.com

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