Overview

Microsoft Research New York City (MSR NYC) is seeking applicants for one or more Postdoctoral Researcher (Postdoc) positions in Fairness, Accountability, Transparency, and Ethics in AI (FATE). This two-year position, to begin in July 2026, is an ideal opportunity for an emerging scholar whose work focuses on the social implications of machine learning and AI. 

We will begin to review applications on December 15, 2025, and continue to do so until we fill the position. We encourage applicants to submit as close to December 15 as possible for full consideration.

As a Post Doc researcher, you will have the opportunity to pursue your own research agenda while interacting with our group's diverse array of researchers and contributing to ongoing research projects. We collaborate extensively with groups at other MSR locations and across Microsoft.  

The FATE group in NYC is interested in research including but not limited to: sociotechnical approaches to AI evaluation/measurement; developing statistical, computational, and visualization methodologies for AI evaluation/measurement; the challenges of responsible AI in industry practice; AI law and policy; AI transparency; human-AI interaction; AI and critical thought; AI and political economy; AI and sustainability; AI and geopolitics; AI and creative labor; and a wide range of topics that address AI’s social impacts from a diversity of disciplinary perspectives.

Postdoc researchers receive a competitive salary and benefits, and are eligible for relocation benefits. These positions are for up to two years, starting in July 2026, ending no later than June 30th, 2028.   

Microsoft Research offers an exhilarating and supportive environment for cutting-edge, multidisciplinary 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 evidence of research contributions through conference or journal publications or equivalent work and broader contributions to the research community. Applicants must have fulfilled their PhD degree requirements, including submission of their dissertation, prior to joining MSR NYC. We encourage candidates with tenure-track academic job offers to apply (with the option of doing a one-year rather than two-year postdoc), provided they are able to defer their start date by at least one year to accept our position.   

Microsoft Research is committed to cultivating a workplace that reflects the diversity of the global communities we serve. We actively seek to build an inclusive and equitable research environment where individuals of all backgrounds feel valued, supported, and empowered to contribute. We encourage applications from candidates who bring a broad range of experiences and perspectives. Our team works collectively to ensure that Microsoft Research remains a respectful, collaborative, and high-impact space for all researchers. 

Microsoft’s mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more, and we are dedicated to this mission across every aspect of our company. Our culture is centered on embracing a growth mindset and encouraging teams and leaders to bring their best each day. Join us and help shape the future of the world.

You can upload documents by going to your profile on the career site and clicking on the Resume Manager tab in the top right of the page, and from there selecting Other Documents.If you are having trouble submitting your application, please go to the bottom of the page and click "Support" and fill out the requested information.

Responsibilities

As a Post Doc Researcher, you define your own research agenda in collaboration with other researchers, driving forward an effective program of basic, fundamental, and applied research. We highly value collaboration and building new ideas with members of the group and others. You may also have the direct opportunity to realize your ideas in products and services used worldwide.   

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

PhD in relevant field (e.g., computer science, statistics, information science, decision sciences, sociology, anthropology, science and technology studies, media studies, law, or related fields), to be conferred by July 2026.

Preferred Qualifications:

Research ability demonstrated by two conference or journal publications or equivalent writing samples, requested as part of the application.   
Research agenda that overlaps with the Microsoft Research NYC FATE team. 
The ability to work in a highly collaborative and interdisciplinary environment.   
Participation and activity in the scientific community.   
Effective communication skills.

Other Requirements:

How to Apply :

To be assured of full consideration, all application materials, including reference letters, need to be received by  December 15, 2025. Applications received after that date may or may not be considered.   

To ensure we receive a complete application from you, please be sure to follow these instructions:   

Upload your CV.   
When prompted in your application, please provide the names and contact information for at least 3 reference letter writers (in nearly all cases, one will be from your dissertation advisor).   
Upload (as separate attachments to your application) 2 conference or journal articles or equivalent writing samples that you are most proud of, and which best demonstrate your expertise in topics relevant to FATE.
Upload (as an attachment to your application) an academic statement (recommended to be no more than 4 pages) that outlines both your research achievements and agenda.   
After you submit your application, the system will send a request for letters to your list of references on your behalf. Note: The application system will not request reference letters until after you have submitted your application. You may wish to alert your letter writers in advance so that they will be ready to submit your letter by our application deadline of December 15, 2025. While you will not be able to view the letters themselves, you can check the status of individual reference requests within your application.

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.

PostDoc Researcher-FATE (Fairness, Accountability, Transparency, and Ethics in AI-Microsoft Research