Frontier is a new product that aims to fine-tune large language models (LLMs) on tenant data, enabling task-specific agents and solutions. We are a small, nimble team that is advancing the state of the art of models in M365 Copilot. Come join our team and help transform the LLM experience in the enterprise.
We are seeking Senior Applied Scientist with research skills and the desire to pursue the cutting edge in model development that pushes technological boundaries. We are looking for candidates with interest and experience in language model training, data pipelines, and shipping high-quality models, willing to delve deep with customer data and generalize the learnings for the broader product.
We provide a nurturing environment to support passionate researchers and engineers in technology innovation. We seek candidates that excel in deep thinking, advanced development, and fast-paced entrepreneurial execution in a collaborative setting.
Microsoft’s mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more. As employees we come together with a growth mindset, innovate to empower others, and collaborate to realize our shared goals. Each day we build on our values of respect, integrity, and accountability to create a culture of inclusion where everyone can thrive at work and beyond.
Responsibilities
- Write and execute training pipelines for large language models post-training.
- Design experiments to show the effectiveness of LLM (large language model)-based solutions.
- Design and implement inference solutions that incorporate post-trained models following product specifications and work with broader team to ship these solutions to customers.
- Document experiments and communicate results across the team.
- Mentor early in career team members.
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.
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.
- 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.
- 3+ years experience creating publications (e.g., patents, libraries, peer-reviewed academic papers).
- Experience presenting at conferences or other events in the outside research/industry community as an invited speaker.
- 3+ years experience conducting research as part of a research program (in academic or industry settings).
- 1+ year(s) experience developing and deploying live production systems, as part of a product team.
- 1+ year(s) experience developing and deploying products or systems at multiple points in the product cycle from ideation to shipping.
- 2+ years of experience training/fine tuning AI/ML models, preferably LLMs/SLMs (small language model).
- 2+ years of experience in reinforcement learning or equivalent training techniques.
- 2+ years of experience with Python and/or ML frameworks such as PyTorch.
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.
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
- Bachelor's degree in Statistics, Econometrics, Computer Science, Electrical or Computer Engineering, or related field AND 4+ years related experience OR Master's +3+ years OR Doctorate +1+ years OR equivalent experience
- Ability to meet Microsoft, customer and/or government security screening requirements including passing Microsoft Cloud Background Check
- Master's or Doctorate with higher experience thresholds (preferred advanced degree with 6+ or 3+ years respectively) or equivalent experience
- 3+ years experience creating publications (patents, libraries, peer-reviewed papers)
- Experience presenting at conferences or invited speaking engagements
- 3+ years conducting research as part of a research program (academic or industry)
- 1+ year experience developing and deploying live production systems as part of a product team
- 1+ year experience developing and deploying products or systems across product lifecycle from ideation to shipping
- 2+ years experience training/fine-tuning AI/ML models, preferably LLMs/SLMs
- 2+ years experience in reinforcement learning or equivalent training techniques
- 2+ years experience with Python and/or ML frameworks such as PyTorch
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.
