Microsoft Research New York City (MSR NYC) is looking for a postdoctoral researcher with interdisciplinary interests centered around machine learning/AI to start in July 2022. This two-year position is an ideal opportunity for an emerging scholar whose work bridges machine learning/AI with other research themes at MSR NYC: fairness/accountability/transparency/ethics in AI, economics and computation, computational social science, or AI for systems.

For full consideration all application materials should be submitted by December 15, 2021.

Postdoctoral researchers have the opportunity to pursue their own research agenda while interacting with prominent researchers and practitioners. Researchers at MSR NYC include Solon Barocas, Kate Crawford, Hal Daumé III, Miroslav Dudík, Dan Goldstein, Jake Hofman, Sham Kakade, , , , , , , , , , , , , as well as several postdocs. We collaborate extensively with groups at other MSR locations and across Microsoft. Postdoc researchers receive a competitive salary and benefits, and are eligible for relocation benefits.

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

We seek applicants with a demonstrated interest at the intersection of ML/AI and one of the other research themes of the lab, including fairness/accountability/transparency/ethics in AI, economics and computation, computational social science, and AI for systems. Applicants should have a well-established research track record, evidenced by journal or conference publications (or equivalent writings) 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 job offers from other institutions to apply, provided they are able to defer their start date by at least one year to accept our position.

We are committed to building an inclusive, diverse, and pluralistic research environment and strongly encourage applications from women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, veterans, as well as students with non-traditional backgrounds. We work collectively to make Microsoft Research a welcoming and productive space for all researchers.

To be assured of full consideration, all application materials, including reference letters, need to be received by December 15, 2021. 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 of at least 3 referees (in nearly all cases one will be from your dissertation advisor).
• Upload (as separate attachments to your application) 2 conference or journal articles, book chapters, or equivalent (potentially unpublished) writing samples that you are most proud of, and which best demonstrate your expertise.
• Upload (as an attachment to your application) one academic statement (approximately 3 or 4 pages) that outlines both your research achievements and agenda, and your service and outreach activities and plans (e.g., those related to mentoring or diversity).

After you submit your application, the system will send a request for letters to your list of referees 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, 2021. While you will not be able to view the letters themselves, you can check the status of individual reference requests within your application.

Responsibilities

As a postdoc, 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

This role is not to exceed two years.

Required qualifications

• PhD in relevant field (completed or close to completion by the start date).
• Research agenda that overlaps with ML & AI group, and at least one of the following groups: (1) fairness/accountability/transparency/ethics in AI, (2) economics and computation, (3) computational social science, or (4) AI for systems.
• Research ability demonstrated by two conference or journal publications, book chapters, or equivalent (potentially unpublished) writing samples, requested as part of the application.

Preferred qualifications

• The ability to work in a highly collaborative and interdisciplinary environment
• Participation and activity in the scientific community
• Strong communication skills

Microsoft is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran status, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws, regulations and ordinances. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. If you need assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application or the recruiting process, please send a request via the Accommodation request form.

Benefits/perks listed below may vary depending on the nature of your employment with Microsoft and the country where you work.