Principal Researcher - Systems & Networking - Microsoft Research

Microsoft Research Asia – Vancouver lab, located in the vibrant city of Vancouver, BC, Canada, our lab represents Microsoft Research Asia’s exciting expansion into the Asia-Pacific region. We’re on a mission to transform the future of artificial intelligence by bridging the gap between cutting-edge general AI and the specialized, real-world applications that drive meaningful impact
We are currently seeking a Principal Researcher in the area of Systems and Networking with a keen interest in exploring advanced Artificial Intelligence (AI) driven methods for systems, thereby expediting overall system innovation
At the Vancouver lab, we focus on deeply integrating intelligent systems across every layer of computing—from infrastructure to the physical environment. Our goal is to solve complex, real-world challenges with precision, scalability, and cost-efficiency. This means working at the intersection of AI, human interaction, and environmental context through a dynamic, co-evolutionary process
If you're passionate about pushing the boundaries of AI and want to be part of a team that’s shaping the future of intelligent systems, we invite you to explore opportunities with us. This is an opportunity to drive an ambitious research agenda while collaborating with diverse teams to push for novel applications of those areas
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
In alignment with our Microsoft values, we are committed to cultivating an inclusive work environment for all employees to positively impact our culture every day

Responsibilities

• Conduct research on state-of-the-art AI-driven system methods and technologies to identify opportunities for system innovation and acceleration.
• Develop and implement new methodologies, techniques, and algorithms for improving the performance, efficiency, and scalability of AI-driven systems.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including hardware and software engineers, data scientists, and product managers, to drive the development and deployment of innovative AI-driven system solutions.
• Stay current with the latest trends, research, and developments in AI, machine learning, and system architecture to ensure our systems remain at the forefront of innovation.
• Evaluate the performance of AI-driven systems and provide recommendations for improvement and optimization.
• Publish research findings in peer-reviewed journals, conferences, and other relevant venues, and present research results to internal and external stakeholders.
• Mentor and guide junior researchers and engineers in their research and development efforts.

• Collaborate with industry partners and academic institutions to drive joint research projects and initiatives.
• Embody our culture and values

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

• Doctorate in relevant field AND 3+ years related research experience
• OR equivalent experience.
• 3+ years experience in research related to Artificial Intelligence or Machine Learning.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Doctorate in relevant field AND 5+ years related research experience
• OR equivalent experience.
• Experience publishing academic papers as a lead author or essential contributor.
• Experience participating in a top conference in relevant research domain.
• Background in systems and networking, including experience with machine learning system, database, and networking technologies.
• Deep knowledge about the latest technical advancements such as Agent Systems, Vector Database, and ML Systems
• A track record of published research in the field of AI-driven system innovation.

Research Sciences IC5 - The typical base pay range for this role across Canada is CAD $142,400 - CAD $257,500 per year
Find additional pay information here:
https://careers.microsoft.com/v2/global/en/canada-pay-information.html
Microsoft will accept applications and processes offers for these roles on an ongoing basis
#Research Microsoft is an equal opportunity employer. Consistent with applicable law, 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 and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application process, read more about requesting accommodations.