Research Intern - AI Frontiers - Foundation Model Evaluation and Understanding

Microsoft

Nov 7, 2024

Applications are closed

Internship
Full-time
Off-cycle Internship
Data
Research & Development
Redmond

Requirements

Currently enrolled in PhD program with relevant STEM major.
At least 1 year of research experience in one of the following research areas: reliability & robustness of AI systems, rigorous evaluation and benchmarking, reasoning and planning in AI, advances in AI interpretability, bias and fairness, and safety in real-world deployments.
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.
Experience publishing academic papers as a lead author or essential contributor.
Experience participating in a top conference in relevant research domain.
Demonstrated ability to develop original research agendas.
Ability to work in a collaborative environment with multi-disciplinary teams. Active participation in the scientific community.
Well-established research record of publications in top-tier journals/conferences.
Hands-on experience with popular machine learning frameworks (e.g. pytorch, tensorflow, scikit-learn) and cloud platforms.
Experience with training and evaluating machine learning models for Natural Language Processing, Vision, and Multimodal tasks. Experience with one data type is sufficient but candidates should be open to collaborating in projects that study a variety or a combination of modalities.
A team player who is interested in developing next-generation platforms and tools for Machine Learning as well as conducting state-of-the-art research.

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.
Execute research directions that are at the forefront of innovation in AI on methods for understanding and evaluating large foundation models.
Create synergies on joint, high-impact projects in collaboration with other researchers, engineers, and product group partners.
Work closely with other researchers in the teams on a research problem.

FAQs

What is the duration of the Research Intern position?

The Research Intern position typically lasts for 12 weeks.

What qualifications are required for this internship?

Candidates must be currently enrolled in a PhD program with a relevant STEM major and have at least 1 year of research experience in specified areas related to AI.

Are there any preferred qualifications for applicants?

Yes, preferred qualifications include experience publishing academic papers, participating in top conferences, developing original research agendas, and hands-on experience with machine learning frameworks and platforms.

Where is the internship located?

The internship is based at Microsoft Research in Redmond, WA, and interns are expected to be physically located at their manager’s Microsoft worksite location.

How should applicants submit their references?

Applicants must submit a minimum of two reference letters along with their application, and a request for letters may be sent to their references after the application is submitted.

What is the range of base pay for the internship?

The base pay range for this internship is USD $6,550 - $12,880 per month, with higher ranges applicable to specific locations like the San Francisco Bay area and New York City.

Is prior experience in collaborating with multi-disciplinary teams valued for this role?

Yes, the ability to work in a collaborative environment with multi-disciplinary teams is considered a preferred qualification for this internship.

What kind of research areas will the interns focus on?

Interns will focus on research areas such as reliability and robustness of AI systems, rigorous evaluation and benchmarking, reasoning and planning in AI, advances in AI interpretability, bias and fairness, and safety in real-world deployments.

Do interns have opportunities for networking and collaboration?

Yes, Research Interns will collaborate with fellow interns and renowned researchers, providing ample networking opportunities within the research community.

What type of projects will the interns be working on?

Interns will execute research directions focused on understanding and evaluating large foundational models and work on joint, high-impact projects in collaboration with other researchers and product groups.

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