Microsoft

Applied Scientist

Microsoft$102K — $202K *
Information Technology
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's Degree in a relevant field and 2+ years of experience OR Master's with 1+ years OR Doctorate OR equivalent experience.
  • 5+ years of experience preferred for Bachelor's holder OR 3+ years for Master's OR 1+ year for Doctorate in relevant fields.
  • Proven expertise in machine learning, computer vision, or natural language processing, evidenced through publications.
  • Experience with open-source technologies like Spark, or Microsoft technologies such as Cosmos or Azure is advantageous.
  • Strong problem-solving skills and an eagerness to innovate in technical challenges.

Responsibilities

  • Develop expertise in machine learning and deep learning techniques for multimedia indexing.
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams to translate business needs into data-driven solutions.
  • Design and evaluate machine learning and deep learning models, including LLMs and SLMs.
  • Conduct large-scale data analysis and experiments for image index improvement.
  • Build and contribute to near real-time indexing systems enhancing content discovery.
  • Work with large datasets and Big Data technologies for optimizing solutions.
  • Document experiments and communicate findings effectively across teams.

Benefits

  • Flexible work arrangements that prioritize work-life balance.
  • Opportunities for career growth and development through training and mentorship.
  • Access to cutting-edge technology and tools to innovate in your role.
  • Comprehensive health and wellness programs to support your well-being.
  • A collaborative work culture that emphasizes teamwork and inclusivity.
Full Job Description
Overview

The Copilot Search Multimedia Index Selection team is looking for a Data and Applied Scientist II to help build the next generation platform for Bing and Microsoft AI.Our mission is to construct the most comprehensive, rich, clean, diverse, and fresh image index that serves as the foundation for image-related experiences across Microsoft. We develop advanced AI and machine learning solutions for image content discovery, selection, ranking, and processing to improve the quality and relevance of our multimedia products.Maintaining a comprehensive, diverse, and up-to-date image index presents unique technical challenges. We continuously innovate to improve quality, scalability, and efficiency while supporting billions of images and balancing performance, freshness, cost, and latency requirements.Some of the key challenges you will work on include:Image Content Discovery: Developing approaches to efficiently discover and understand image content across the web.Machine Learning for Selection and Ranking: Building, training, and evaluating machine learning, deep learning, and multimodal models for content understanding, selection, and ranking using both text and image signals.Freshness and Real-Time Systems: Contributing to data pipelines and models that support near real-time indexing and content freshness.AI-Powered Platform Innovation: Exploring and implementing new AI capabilities that improve platform intelligence and operational efficiency.This is an exciting opportunity for someone who enjoys solving challenging technical problems using data, machine learning, and AI. In this role, you will collaborate closely with scientists, engineers, and product teams to develop and deploy production-ready solutions. You will conduct experiments, analyze large-scale data sets, build and evaluate machine learning models, and translate insights into impactful improvements for Microsoft AI products.As a Data and Applied Scientist II, you will apply statistical, machine learning, and deep learning techniques to analyze and interpret multimodal content, develop features and models that improve system capabilities, and help scale AI solutions to large-volume production environments. You will contribute to advancing state-of-the-art approaches while delivering measurable impact to products used by millions of customers.

Responsibilities
  • Develop expertise in relevant machine learning, deep learning, and multimodal AI techniques, and apply them to solve challenging problems in image indexing, content understanding, selection, and ranking.
  • Partner with scientists, engineers, and product managers to understand business and product requirements, translate them into data-driven solutions, and deliver measurable product impact.
  • Design, implement, and evaluate machine learning and deep learning models, including Large Language Models (LLMs), Small Language Models (SLMs), and multimodal models for document understanding, content discovery, parsing, clustering, selection, and ranking.
  • Conduct large-scale data analysis and experimentation to identify opportunities for improving image index quality, freshness, relevance, and diversity.
  • Develop robust evaluation methodologies and analyze experiment results to drive model improvements and support data-informed decision making.
  • Contribute to near real-time indexing systems and AI-powered platform capabilities that improve multimedia content discovery and user experiences.
  • Work with petabyte-scale datasets and Big Data technologies to build, validate, and optimize machine learning solutions for production environments.
  • Document experiments, model performance, methodologies, and key learnings, and communicate findings effectively with teammates and stakeholders.
  • Follow responsible AI, privacy, security, and data governance best practices throughout the model development lifecycle.
  • Collaborate across Microsoft with engineers, scientists, and product teams to develop, deploy, and operate scalable AI solutions that serve billions of multimedia documents.
  • Stay current with advancements in machine learning, deep learning, generative AI, and multimodal systems, and apply relevant innovations to improve product capabilities.
  • Contribute to the delivery of state-of-the-art models and data-driven features that enhance the Microsoft AI Multimedia Index platform.


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.


Preferred Qualifications:
  • Bachelor's Degree in Statistics, Econometrics, Computer Science, Electrical or Computer Engineering, or related field AND 5+ 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 3+ years related experience (e.g., statistics, predictive analytics, research)
    • OR Doctorate 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 equivalent experience.
  • Solid machine learning / computer vision / natural language processing experience and results in academy or industry. Publications in major ML/IR/NLP/CV conferences. Examples: ICML, NIPS, SIGIR, ACL, EMNLP, CVPR, KDD.
  • Experience in open source (spark, hbase, hadoop etc) or microsoft internal tech (cosmos, autopilot, azure) are big plus as well as most of our project/scenario is across system and AI areas.
  • Good communication skills and ability to work in collaborative environment.
  • Good design and problem-solving skills and an ability to innovate and solve challenging technical problems.
  • Passion and self-motivation.
  • Embrace engineering excellence and delivering quality results at scale.


#MicrosoftAI

Applied Sciences IC3 - The typical base pay range for this role across the U.S. is USD $102,100 - $202,200 per year. 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 $133,800 - $219,200 per year.

Certain roles may be eligible for benefits and other compensation. Find additional benefits and pay information here:
https://careers.microsoft.com/us/en/us-corporate-pay

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

About Microsoft

Microsoft is an American multinational corporation that develops, manufactures, licenses, supports, and sells a range of software products and services. Microsoft’s devices and consumer (D&C) licensing segment licenses the Windows operating system and related software, Microsoft Office for consumers, and the Windows Phone operating system. The company’s computing and gaming hardware segment provides Xbox gaming and entertainment consoles and accessories, second-party and third-party video games, and Xbox Live subscriptions; surface devices and accessories; and Microsoft PC accessories. Its phone hardware segment offers Lumia smartphones and other non-Lumia phones. Its D&C segment provides Windows Store, Xbox Live transactions, and Windows phone store; search advertising; display advertising; Office 365 Home and Office 365 Personal; first-party video games; and other consumer products and services as well as operating retail stores. Microsoft’s commercial licensing segments license server products, including Windows Server, Microsoft SQL Server, Visual Studio, System Center, and related Client Access Licenses (CALs); Windows Embedded; Windows operating system; Microsoft Office for business, including Office, Exchange, SharePoint, Lync, and related CALs; Microsoft Dynamics business solutions; and Skype. Its commercial segment offers enterprise services, including premier support services and Microsoft consulting services; commercial cloud comprising Office 365 Commercial, other Microsoft Office online offerings, Dynamics CRM Online, and Microsoft Azure; and other commercial products and online services. The company markets and distributes its products through original equipment manufacturers, distributors, and resellers, as well as online.

Microsoft Careers

Join Microsoft today and be part of a company that values innovation, leadership, and diversity in its workforce. As a global leader in technology and digital transformation, Microsoft offers unparalleled job opportunities that propel your career to new heights.

Explore Career Opportunities at Microsoft

Whether you're a seasoned professional looking for your next challenge or a recent graduate eager to start your career, Microsoft has a position that suits your skills and ambitions. We are committed to fostering a culture of growth and learning, where every team member is supported in expanding their horizons.

Internship Programs

Kickstart your career with a Microsoft internship. Our internships provide invaluable workplace experience and networking opportunities in a supportive and dynamic environment. You'll work on real projects, learn from industry leaders, and gain the skills necessary for a successful career in technology.

Employment Benefits

Choosing a career at Microsoft means more than just a job. Our employees enjoy a range of benefits designed to empower them both professionally and personally. These include comprehensive health benefits, flexible working conditions, and opportunities for career advancement through professional development and diversity training.

Inclusive Culture and Diversity

At Microsoft, we believe that innovation comes from diversity of thought and inclusion. We are committed to a workplace where everyone feels valued and inspired. Our leadership is dedicated to fostering an environment where diverse perspectives lead to breakthrough innovations and a competitive edge.

Grow with Us

Career growth at Microsoft is about more than climbing the corporate ladder; it's about continuous learning, expanding your skills, and improving your capabilities. With access to various leadership and training programs, you can evolve as a professional and make a significant impact within the company and on the global stage.

Hiring Process

Our hiring process is designed to identify true potential. Starting with a review of your resume, followed by interviews that assess your problem-solving abilities and cultural fit, we ensure that all candidates have a fair chance to demonstrate their strengths and potential to contribute to our team.

Networking and Professional Development

Microsoft is a place where you can build a professional network that spans the globe. Our employees benefit from connections with top-tier professionals and industry leaders, which opens doors to innovative projects and collaborative opportunities that are second to none.

Join Our Team

If you're ready to take on exciting challenges and make a difference in the world of technology, explore the job opportunities at Microsoft. Search for open positions that match your skills and interests, and prepare to embark on a rewarding career path filled with innovation and opportunities for personal and professional growth.

Stay Connected

Keep up to date with the latest at Microsoft Careers by subscribing to our job alert emails. Get tailored content that aligns with your career preferences and discover the exciting and rewarding opportunities that await at Microsoft.

SEARCH MICROSOFT JOBS

At Microsoft, your future is limitless. Join us in our mission to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more. Your journey with Microsoft starts here.
Learn more about Microsoft
Size
181,000 employees
Market Cap
$1,762.4 billion
Industry
Net Income
$51.3 billion
Founded
1975
5 Year Trend
+15.5%
Revenue
$153.2 billion
NASDAQ

Similar Jobs

More Jobs at Microsoft

More Information Technology Jobs

Find similar Applied Scientist jobs: