Microsoft AI (MAI) creates innovative AI-powered and personalized web experiences in Microsoft Windows, Edge & Bing, that inform, entertain, add value, save money, and breathe productivity into the life and work of millions of customers. MAI makes the web work for our consumers, advertisers, and publishers in a safe environment where everyone can get informed, entertained, save money and thrive!
We are the computational advertising team in the AI & Research organization at Microsoft. We are looking for candidates with deep data science experience, preferably also with leading projects across v-teams and orgs. Search advertising is a $100 billion market worldwide. Microsoft's Bing search engine supports over 30% of desktop search in the US, with similarly significant presence in many other countries. Our mission is to empower every person on the planet to be informed, entertained, and inspired. We are looking for an experienced Principal Data Scientist to join our Microsoft Advertising team.
Responsibilities
- Work with a host of engaged stakeholders who value your skills and consider you a thought partner in driving the business.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams to understand features, estimate impacts and drive engagement improvements based on insights from big data.
- Enhance products by evaluating performance metrics and user feedback. Develop self-service dashboards and reports for various stakeholders using reporting platforms.
- Analyze large datasets to identify patterns, trends, and content performance to improve the relevance and quality of our recommendation systems.
- Build a metrics system to measure Business Health and quickly identify the root cause when metrics move.
- Conduct business modeling to identify growth opportunities and initiate projects with a positive long-term ROI.
- Design and conduct A/B tests to evaluate algorithm performance and propose iterative improvements based on the results.
- Effectively communicate findings, insights, and recommendations to both technical and non-technical stakeholders, enabling informed decision-making.
Qualifications
Required/Minimum Qualifications:
- Doctorate in Data Science, Mathematics, Statistics, Econometrics, Economics, Operations Research, Computer Science, or related field AND 3+ years data-science experience (e.g., managing structured and unstructured data, applying statistical techniques and reporting results).
- OR Master's Degree in Data Science, Mathematics, Statistics, Econometrics, Economics, Operations Research, Computer Science, or related field AND 5+ years data-science experience (e.g., managing structured and unstructured data, applying statistical techniques and reporting results).
- OR Bachelor's Degree in Data Science, Mathematics, Statistics, Econometrics, Economics, Operations Research, Computer Science, or related field AND 7+ years data science experience (e.g., managing structured and unstructured data, applying statistical techniques and reporting results).
- OR equivalent experience.
- Demonstrated stakeholder management ability including effective prioritization, clear and concise communication, and delivery of actionable data-driven insights.
- Knowledge on big data processing from raw events to metrics and insights (PySpark/Scala).
Preferred Qualifications:
- 7+ years experience in data science modeling, statistics, analytics, business intelligence, or data-driven business strategy.
- Previous product analytics, web analytics and or content analytics experience.
- Interpersonal communication and ability to leverage the data to tell a story.
- Knowledge of Advertizing ecosystem, Ads and online shopping metrics.
Other Requirements: Ability to meet Microsoft, customer and/or government security screening requirements are required for this role. These requirements include but are not limited to the following specialized security screenings:
- Microsoft Cloud Background Check: This position will be required to pass the Microsoft Cloud background check upon hire/transfer and every two years thereafter.
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
- Doctorate in Data Science, Mathematics, Statistics, Econometrics, Economics, Operations Research, Computer Science, or a related field, plus 3 or more years of data science experience; or equivalent experience
- Master’s degree in a relevant quantitative or computer science field, plus 5 or more years of data science experience; or equivalent experience
- Bachelor’s degree in a relevant quantitative or computer science field, plus 7 or more years of data science experience; or equivalent experience
- Stakeholder management ability, including prioritization, concise communication, and delivery of actionable data-driven insights
- Knowledge of big data processing from raw events to metrics and insights using PySpark or Scala
- Ability to meet Microsoft Cloud background check and applicable customer or government security screening requirements
- Seven or more years of experience in data science modeling, statistics, analytics, business intelligence, or data-driven business strategy
- Product analytics, web analytics, or content analytics experience
- Strong interpersonal communication and ability to use data to tell a story
- Knowledge of the advertising ecosystem, ads, and online shopping metrics
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.
Microsoft Insights
What We Do
At Microsoft, our mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more. Our mission is grounded in both the world in which we live and the future we strive to create. Today, we live in a mobile-first, cloud-first world, and the transformation we are driving across our businesses is designed to enable Microsoft and our customers to thrive in this world.









