Launch your research career after your PhD at Microsoft Research Cambridge. Join a multidisciplinary team advancing robotics through ambitious research, real-world experimentation, and software–hardware co-design.
At Microsoft Research, you will contribute to groundbreaking robotics projects spanning fundamental research, innovative prototypes, and practical robotic systems and experiences. Working with researchers and engineers from diverse technical backgrounds, you will develop cutting-edge solutions for datacenter robotics and explore opportunities extending beyond this domain.
This role offers the opportunity to broaden your technical and interpersonal skills, build a strong professional network, and pursue research with impact at Microsoft scale. Join a stimulating and collaborative environment where you can accelerate your development, advance the state of the art, and help shape the future of robotics.
- Contract Length: 2 Years
- Location: Cambridge, UK
Responsibilities
- Drive Innovative Research: Lead and collaborate on diverse projects to explore cutting-edge robotics technologies, addressing fundamental and applied research challenges.
- Develop and Prototype: Design and implement novel algorithms and control strategies, and translate them into functional prototypes. Develop research code to automate and enhance hardware performance.
- Experiment and Validate: Plan, design, and execute experiments to test and validate prototypes in various real-world scenarios. Analyze data, refine models, and iterate designs to achieve optimal performance.
- Collaborate and Disseminate: Work closely with a multidisciplinary team, fostering a collaborative research environment. Clearly communicate findings and progress through presentations, technical reports, and publications in high-impact academic venues
Qualifications
Required/Minimum Qualifications
- PhD degree (or on-track to complete) in Computer Science, Robotics, Electronic Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a closely related field.
- Demonstrated expertise in one or more areas of robotics, such as manipulation and grasping, kinematics, dynamics, motion control, and coordination.
- Hands-on experience with programming robots, developing control system algorithms, and integrating software with hardware.
- Strong track record in relevant research, evidenced by publications in top-tier venues like ICRA, IEEE Robotics and Automation Letters, and IROS.
- Impact-driven mindset with a demonstrated ability to work and learn in a collaborative and diverse environment.
- Committed nature with effective communication skills.
Preferred/Additional Qualifications:
- Proficiency in rapid and accurate development using programming languages such as C, C++, Python, or similar.
- Experience with automation software, robotics simulation environments, or embedded systems programming.
- Experience with physical/embodied AI.
- Experience with learning based control.
The base pay for this internship is £ 6,655.00 per month. Certain roles may be eligible for benefits and other compensation.
Find additional benefits and pay information here:
https://careers.microsoft.com/v2/global/en/corporate-pay/interns-corporate-pay.html
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.
Skills Required
- PhD degree, or expected completion, in Computer Science, Robotics, Electronic Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a closely related field
- Expertise in robotics areas such as manipulation and grasping, kinematics, dynamics, motion control, or coordination
- Hands-on experience programming robots, developing control-system algorithms, and integrating software with hardware
- Strong relevant research record demonstrated through publications in venues such as ICRA, IEEE Robotics and Automation Letters, or IROS
- Ability to work and learn collaboratively in a diverse environment
- Effective communication skills
- Proficiency in C, C++, Python, or similar programming languages
- Experience with automation software, robotics simulation environments, or embedded-systems programming
- Experience with physical or embodied AI
- Experience with learning-based control
Microsoft Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Microsoft and has not been reviewed or approved by Microsoft.
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Fair & Transparent Compensation — Pay is presented as broadly competitive overall, with clear role/level/location variation and an emphasis on using posted ranges and band information for apples-to-apples comparisons.
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Retirement Support — Retirement benefits are described as a standout, highlighted by a strong 401(k) match structure and immediate vesting, plus additional plan features for tax-advantaged saving.
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Parental & Family Support — Family-oriented benefits are portrayed as a meaningful strength, with substantial paid parental leave and added supports like back-up care and adoption/surrogacy assistance.
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