Threat Context Analyst - Mandarin

The Microsoft Threat Analysis Center (MTAC) is looking for a Threat Context Analyst with proficiency in Mandarin and experience in open-source research, investigating influence and/or AI threats emanating from China. The threat analyst will contribute to MTAC’s mission to detect, assess, and disrupt digital threats to Microsoft, its customers, and democracies worldwide. The analyst will leverage their language skills and geopolitical knowledge to research and develop reports on malicious nation-state influence, cyber-enabled, and AI-enabled influence operations from China. ­­MTAC is part of Microsoft Global Affairs (MGA) within Microsoft’s Corporate, External, and Legal Affairs (CELA).           

In this role, the analyst will leverage Mandarin language and regional, cultural, and geopolitical knowledge to inform attribution analysis and develop assessments about China-based influence, AI, and cyber operations. This will require collecting and analyzing social media platforms, websites, and press content in Mandarin, as well as other open-source information, quickly and efficiently to capture the most relevant findings. The analyst will also synthesize data/intelligence from cross company sources to write and brief for executive audiences. The position will require excellent written composition ability, professional oral briefing skills, and rigorous attention to detail.

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.

Key Responsibilities:

• Investigate, research, and assess Chinese malign influence threats at tactical and strategic levels by drawing on information from China-linked social media accounts, foreign policy priorities and perspectives from open-source reporting, and activity of China-based cyber threats from Microsoft signals.
• Quickly and efficiently write reports based on those findings for executive audiences.
• Develop engaging presentations and brief various stakeholders under tight deadlines.
• Follow innovative, non-intrusive, law-abiding methods for detecting, diagnosing, and deterring the most advanced and prolific threats in the information environment.
• Occasionally work with Microsoft Threat Intelligence in its investigations of cyber operations of China-based threats and draw from their technical cybersecurity findings to inform analysis.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree in Statistics, Finance, Mathematics, Analytics, Engineering, Computer Science, Marketing, Business, Economics or related field OR equivalent experience.
• Spoken and written proficiency in Mandarin Chinese.

Preferred Experience:

• Master's Degree in Mathematics, Analytics, Engineering, Computer Science, Marketing, Business, Economics or related field OR Bachelor's Degree in Political Science, Statistics, Finance, Mathematics, Analytics, Engineering, Computer Science, Marketing, Business, Economics or related field AND 2+ years experience in data analysis and reporting, business intelligence, or business and financial analysis OR equivalent experience.
• Active Security Clearance
• Additional language skills are a plus, particularly for languages in Asia (e.g., Korean, Japanese, Taiwanese, Cantonese, Filipino, Vietnamese, Malay, Indonesian).
• 2+ years of experience tracking Chinese threat capabilities, infrastructure, and operational techniques and East Asia geopolitical issues.
• 2+ years producing actionable threat intelligence or strategic analysis through written reports and products.
• Experience in use of AI platforms and applications.
• Experience in common database query languages (e.g. SQL, KQL) and Python is a plus.
• Proficient in Microsoft Excel for data analysis and Microsoft PowerPoint for presentations for executive audiences.

Other Requirements:

Citizenship & Citizenship Verification: This position requires verification of citizenship due to citizenship-based legal restrictions. Specifically, this position supports United States federal, state, and/or local government agency customers and is subject to certain citizenshipbased restrictions where required or permitted by applicable law. To meet this legal requirement, and as a condition of employment, Classified as Microsoft Confidential the successful candidate’s citizenship will be verified with a valid passport.

The role is based in our NYC office. Some domestic and international travel may be expected, estimated to be less than 10%. Most common travel locations include offices in the Washington, DC area and Microsoft’s Corporate Headquarters, in Redmond, WA.

#CELA

Business Analytics IC2 - The typical base pay range for this role across the U.S. is USD $70,500 - $139,700 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 $95,000 - $153,200 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.