Overview

Microsoft Research (MSR) New England is looking for a new full-time, Principal Researcher who brings sociotechnical perspectives to analyze critical issues of our time. You will join the Sociotechnical Systems area, a team of social scientists who draw on empirical and critical methods to study the social, political, and cultural dynamics that shape technologies and their consequences. Our research group spans several disciplines, including anthropology, communication, gender and sexuality studies, history, information studies, law, media studies, organizational and management sciences, science & technology studies, and sociology.

This is an ideal opportunity for a scholar with a Ph.D. plus 3+ years of related research experience to conduct original research addressing critical sociotechnical issues. You would be expected to devise and direct your own research agenda and to think collaboratively with others. We are especially interested in candidates whose work complements any of the following themes:

the politics and public responsibilities of algorithms, generative AI, machine learning, platforms, metrics, and other manifestations of computational cultures 
the intersectional dimensions of identity as they are entangled with sociotechnical systems, including: race, caste, and indigeneity; gender and sexual identities; socioeconomic status and class
how institutions, organizations, networks, and infrastructures (across sectors and domains) configure and are configured by sociotechnical systems
notions of cooperation, participation, mutual aid, and community engagement and their relationships to the design and governance of responsible technologies
political economies and emerging organizational forms in digital labor, community, government, non-profit, creator economy, and private-sector contexts for sociotechnical undertakings

Our team is comprised of full-time researchers, postdocs, visiting faculty, Ph.D. interns, and pre-doctoral research assistants. You would also have opportunities to collaborate with others across the New England lab, all of MSR, and across Microsoft Corporation.

Microsoft Research provides a vibrant, multidisciplinary research environment, with an open publication policy and close links to top academic institutions around the world.

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

Continue developing an academically novel research agenda.
Advance that research agenda through one or more research projects, yielding new theories, methods, analyses, insights, or collections of data in one or more sub-areas or a broad area of research.
Present and publish research in high-quality conferences and journals.
Continue to contribute to the field through activities such as reviewing papers or organizing conference panels 
Contribute to discussions in the Social Media Collective, the MSR New England lab, and the Sociotechnical Systems research group across the Northeast labs.
All employees are responsible for treating others with fairness and respect, and showing empathy and compassion.
Embody our culture and values.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:  

Doctorate in relevant field (including anthropology, communication, history, information science, media studies, science & technology studies, sociology, or related) [Ph.D. must be awarded before July 2022] and 3+ years related research experience, OR equivalent experience.
A research program demonstrated by top-tier, peer-reviewed scholarship, as a lead author or essential contributor, shared through publishing venues such as journal articles, conference proceedings, and books.

Other Requirements:

As part of the application process, please upload:

Curriculum vitae (CV) listing all peer-reviewed publications and preprints.
References - Please include a minimum of two (2) references.
A single research statement (4 page maximum length) that does the following: 
- outlines the questions and methodologies central to your research agenda (~ three pages);
- offers a description of how your research agenda relates to sociotechnical systems research (~ one page). 
Two writing samples: these can be journal articles, book chapters, or equivalent (uploaded as two separate attachments).
After submission of application, the system will send a request for letters to list of referees on candidate’s behalf. Note: Candidates should tell their recommenders that, despite the auto-request for a letter of recommendation, they do not need to submit letters unless they are contacted and asked to do so by a member of the search committee, after the initial review of applications.

Preferred Qualifications:  

5+ years related research experience, or equivalent.
A methodological, analytical, and theoretical foundation in the social or humanistic sciences.  
Demonstrated leadership potential in research.
Proven ability to work in a highly collaborative and interdisciplinary environment that also includes computer scientists, biologists, and economists.

Research Sciences IC5 - The typical base pay range for this role across the U.S. is USD $139,900 - $274,800 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 $188,000 - $304,200 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.

Principal Researcher - Sociotechnical Systems - Microsoft Research