Overview

The Microsoft Discovery and Quantum (MDQ) division develops and delivers advanced Artificial Intelligence (AI), cloud capabilities, and strategic infrastructure to help solve the world’s major challenges. From accelerated scientific discovery through AI, to breakthroughs in quantum computing, to unique AI and edge platforms for bio-intelligence and biosecurity, and to advanced robotics and AI capabilities to accelerate positive impact in the physical world, joining MDQ means building the future, partnering with government, and working in an exhilarating impact-focused environment.

MDQ’s Discovery Labs brings together researchers, advanced AI systems, and high-impact science partners to transform how science is done. We build and deploy novel AI systems that operate across the full scientific lifecycle, from early hypothesis generation to data generation in complex real‑world environments and laboratories to translation of novel discoveries into products, spanning the biological, chemical, and material science domains.

As an Applied Scientist in Discovery Labs, you will help design and build new AI systems for biological discovery, working at the intersection of large language models, agentic workflows, autonomous systems, and applied biological sciences. You will contribute to platforms that autonomously generate multi-modal biological data and analyze structured and unstructured data to produce actionable scientific insights. You will contribute to critical research on the biosecurity and trustworthiness of these AI systems. This role focuses on translating cutting‑edge research into real‑world impact, supporting scientists, engineers, and partners in solving some of the world’s most complex biological challenges.

Microsoft’s mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more. In Discovery Labs, that mission extends to empowering the scientific community with AI systems that accelerate discovery, improve health and biosecurity, and deepen our understanding of the living world.  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 and mission every day.

Responsibilities

• Establish and maintain collaborative relationships with relevant research, product, and business groups within and outside of Microsoft, providing expertise or technology to drive meaningful business impact.
• Apply research efforts to solve immediate product needs by bridging the gap between researchers and development teams.
• Serve as a domain specialist on a wide range of industry and market trends, sharing knowledge of emerging products and applied research areas to guide business decisions and empower product teams.
• Regularly review product requirements, selecting and integrating the most effective research-based solutions to meet or exceed business objectives.
• Provide mentorship to less experienced team members, sharing insights, onboarding support, and technical guidance that fosters collaboration and nurtures future talent.
• Document ongoing research, experimentation outcomes, and future plans, sharing findings internally and externally.
• Embody Microsoft’s culture and values.

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.

Preferred Qualifications:

• 2+ years of experience applying statistics, data science, or bioinformatics skills in academic biological research settings, clinical settings, or in the pharmaceutical industry.
• 2+ years of experience authoring peer-reviewed publications, summaries of research outcomes to senior leadership and key stakeholders, or technical documents used by decision makers and engineering teams.

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 $158,400 - $258,000 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.