At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead groundbreaking research in machine intelligence and mentor a high-performing team.
- Company: Join Microsoft Research Cambridge, a leader in AI innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, inclusive culture, and opportunities for impactful research.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with a focus on scientific excellence and collaboration.
- Why this job: Shape the future of AI while collaborating with top researchers and organisations.
- Qualifications: PhD in a relevant field and proven leadership in research.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 161800 £ per year.
Overview
The Machine Intelligence team at Microsoft Research Cambridge conducts foundational research aimed at understanding and advancing machine intelligence. We explore the principles that enable intelligent systems to learn, reason, remember, adapt, communicate, and act effectively in complex environments.
Our research focuses on advancing the core capabilities of future AI systems, including memory and retrieval, reasoning, efficient learning and inference, agentic behaviour, novel model architectures, optimization algorithms, alignment, and human-AI collaboration. We combine theoretical, empirical, and systems research to develop the scientific foundations of the next generation of intelligent systems.
We are seeking a Principal Research Manager to lead and expand this research agenda. The successful candidate will help define the long-term scientific direction of the team, build and mentor outstanding researchers, and drive programs that advance the state of the art in machine intelligence. They will work across disciplines and organisations to connect foundational research with emerging opportunities in products, science, and society.
The most suited candidate combines a distinguished research record with a demonstrated ability to lead people, shape strategy, and identify important scientific questions before they become mainstream. They are excited by both scientific discovery and the challenge of building an environment in which researchers can do their own unique work.
Responsibilities
- Define and evolve a research agenda that advances the state of the art in machine intelligence.
- Lead, mentor, and grow a high-performing team of researchers, fostering a culture of scientific excellence, collaboration, and inclusion.
- Remain deeply engaged in the team's technical work, contributing research insight, scientific judgment, and strategic guidance.
- Drive ambitious research programs from conception through execution and impact.
- Build collaborations across Microsoft Research, product groups, academia, and other external partners.
- Communicate research vision, progress, and insights to technical and executive audiences.
- Identify opportunities to translate foundational research into meaningful impact for products, science, and society.
- Help shape the long-term direction of machine intelligence research within Microsoft Research.
Qualifications
Required
- PhD or equivalent research experience in machine learning, computer science, mathematics, statistics, or a related quantitative discipline.
- An internationally recognized research record with demonstrated contributions in machine learning, artificial intelligence, or related disciplines.
- Demonstrated experience leading and developing high-performing research teams or complex research programs.
- Deep technical understanding of modern machine learning methods and the scientific judgment required to identify significant research opportunities.
- Proven ability to define research strategy, execute against long-term goals, and deliver scientific or real-world impact.
- Excellent communication and collaboration skills, including the ability to work effectively across research disciplines and organizational boundaries.
Preferred
- Strong hands-on ML engineering and coding skills.
- Expertise in statistical analysis and mathematical modelling.
- Experience translating research into products, systems, or business impact.
- Experience leading multidisciplinary teams.
- Experience building partnerships across academia, industry, and product organizations.
- Thought leadership demonstrated through publications, patents, open-source contributions, invited talks, or other influential contributions.
- Experience developing long-term research strategy in rapidly evolving technical areas.
Principal Research Manager/Senior Principal Research Manager in Cambridge employer: Microsoft Corporation
At Microsoft AI, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, particularly for those passionate about health technology and artificial intelligence. Our inclusive work culture fosters collaboration and innovation, providing ample opportunities for professional growth while working on transformative products that impact millions. Located in the UK, our team enjoys competitive compensation, comprehensive benefits, and a commitment to employee well-being, making it a rewarding place to advance your career.
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