Microsoft

Senior Applied Scientist

Microsoft$119K — $234K *
Consumer Technology
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's or Master's Degree in a relevant field plus several years of related experience or equivalent expertise.
  • Strong background in statistics, predictive analytics, and research methods.
  • Experience with algorithm design, particularly in the context of online auctions.
  • Familiarity with Machine Learning and optimization methodologies.
  • Ability to document and effectively communicate complex findings.

Responsibilities

  • Master auction mechanism design and A/B experimentation.
  • Gain expertise in statistical modeling and machine learning techniques.
  • Identify high-impact opportunities to improve business metrics independently.
  • Review business requirements and align them with research outcomes.
  • Build data pipelines and software for rapid solution development and experimentation.
  • Integrate innovative technologies and methodologies into production processes.
  • Document experimental results and findings to foster a culture of innovation.

Benefits

  • Collaborative work environment with experienced colleagues.
  • Opportunity to lead and drive independent projects.
  • Chance to make a high-visibility impact across the organization.
  • Access to diverse data science tools and resources from Microsoft.
  • Engagement with cross-functional teams to solve complex problems.
Full Job Description
Overview

Our team of Applied Scientists works on designing online advertising auctions owned by Microsoft Advertising and its partners.

We develop algorithms for ranking and pricing of ads and contribute significantly to the long-term success of the Microsoft Advertising business. You will work with experienced and supportive colleagues while having the opportunity to propose, lead, and drive independent projects with broad impact.

As a Senior Applied Scientist on our team, you will advance auction mechanism design by extending proven approaches to new markets and developing new auction solutions.

You will evaluate existing algorithms, identify opportunities for improvement, and validate your solutions through large-scale experimentation. This role leverages a broad range of techniques, including Machine Learning, automation, rapid prototyping, optimization, and root cause analysis. It offers the opportunity to deliver measurable, high-visibility impact while collaborating closely with multiple teams across the organization.

Starting January 26, 2026, Microsoft AI (MAI) employees who live within a 50- mile commute of a designated Microsoft office in the U.S. or 25-mile commute of a non-U.S., country-specific location are expected to work from the office at least four days per week. This expectation is subject to local law and may vary by jurisdiction.

Responsibilities
  • Masters the following areas: mechanism design for online auctions, A/B experimentation and related statistical analysis, data pipeline creation on different platforms.
  • Gains expertise in the following broad areas: Mathematical and Statistical modeling, Machine and Reinforcement Learning, Optimization Methods, and Azure/Microsoft Data Science tools. Uses expertise to identify the right technique to use when examining a problem.
  • Independently works to identify areas with the highest impact for business metrics.
  • Reviews business requirements and incorporates research to meet business goals. Provides strategic direction for the kinds of data used to solve problems and applies deep subject matter knowledge to support business impact.
  • Builds data pipelines and software to support rapid implementation of solutions, experimentation, dashboards, and diagnostics.
  • Brings new technology and approaches into production.
  • Documents work in progress and experimentation results and share findings to promote innovation.


Qualifications

Required Qualifications:
  • Bachelor's Degree in Statistics, Econometrics, Computer Science, Electrical or Computer Engineering, or related field AND 4+ 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.


Preferred Qualifications:
  • Master's Degree in Statistics, Econometrics, Computer Science, Electrical or Computer Engineering, or related field AND 6+ years related experience (e.g., statistics, predictive analytics, research)
    • OR Doctorate in Statistics, Econometrics, Computer Science, Electrical or Computer Engineering, or related field AND 3+ years related experience (e.g., statistics, predictive analytics, research)
    • OR equivalent experience.


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Applied Sciences IC4 - The typical base pay range for this role across the U.S. is USD $119,800 - $234,700 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 $160,200 - $261,000 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.

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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
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