Overview

The Microsoft Word Applied Science team in Redmond, WA, US builds state-of-the-art, large-scale natural language understanding and generation models using cutting-edge NLP with deep linguistic expertise. The team has a 25-year track record of delivering innovative AI-powered writing assistance solutions to millions of users worldwide with a vision of bringing out the best writer in everyone. Our recent Copilot releases are redefining productivity and creativity throughout users' writing journey from ideation and drafting to refinement and final polish.

As a Postdoctoral Researcher on our Applied Science team, you will play a crucial role in driving innovation and creativity within the team. You will be expected to introduce new perspectives, ideas, and approaches that encourage fresh perspectives or innovation, foster collaboration, and support ongoing development and growth. Your primary responsibility will be to conduct high-quality applied research that aligns with our business objectives and has direct impact on the products we deliver to our customers.

Postdoctoral receive a competitive salary and benefits, and are eligible for relocation benefits. These positions are for up to two years, starting in October 2025.

Microsoft Applied Science offers a supportive and engaging environment for cutting-edge, multidisciplinary applied research with access to an extraordinary diversity of data sources, an open publications policy, and close links to top academic institutions around the world.  

Applicants should have a well-established research track record, evidenced by conference or journal publications (or equivalent pieces of writing) and broader contributions to the science community. Applicants must have fulfilled their PhD degree requirements, including submission of their dissertation, prior to joining Microsoft Word Applied Science team.

Responsibilities

Our mission is to reinvent how people read and write in Microsoft 365 and advance the state-of-the-art in language technology within Microsoft and in industry. As Postdoctoral Researcher, your responsibilities include:

Works with a principal applied scientist mentor to define and refine an applied research project that aligns with product priorities and customer needs.
Stays updated with the latest research and trends in NLP and related fields and explore new ideas and opportunities for innovation.
Brings new technology and approaches into production by applying long-term research efforts to solve immediate product needs.
Participates in collaborative relationships with relevant research, product and business groups inside or outside of Microsoft and provides expertise or technology to create business impact.
Understands and follows ethics and privacy policies when executing research processes and/or collecting data/information.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

PhD in Computational Linguistics, Computer Science or related field with a focus on NLP (completed or close to completion by the start date).  
Demonstrated research excellence evidenced by at least two peer-reviewed publications or equivalent high-quality writing samples, provided as part of the application.

Preferred Qualifications:

Research interests that support the future direction of Microsoft Word’s applied science initiatives
Proven ability to work in highly collaborative, cross-disciplinary, and cross-organizational environments.
Active engagement in the scientific community (e.g., publications, reviewing, open-source contributions, workshops, or conference participation).

Research Sciences IC3 - The typical base pay range for this role across the U.S. is USD $100,600 - $199,000 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 $131,400 - $215,400 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.

Post Doc - Natural Language Processing - Microsoft Word Applied Science