{"id":3553576,"url":"https://alion.io/job/microsoft-senior-applied-scientist-9","title":"Senior Applied Scientist","company":{"id":18,"name":"Microsoft","domain":"microsoft.com","url":"https://alion.io/company/microsoft","size_band":"5000+","is_staffing_agency":false,"employer_type":"direct","is_intermediary":false,"listed_via":null,"ats_vendor":"Eightfold","truth_index":{"grade":"B","score":83,"open_postings":419,"ghost_share":0.005,"stale_share":0.635,"repost_share":0.026,"time_to_fill_p50_days":29,"computed_at":"2026-11-04T06:34:25Z"}},"role":"AI/ML","role_family":"AI/ML","seniority":"senior","employment_type":null,"work_mode":"on_site","remote_scope":null,"remote_scope_basis":null,"remote_working_hours":null,"hiring_geo_confidence":"structured","locations":["Redmond, United States"],"countries":["US"],"hiring_countries":[],"hiring_countries_total":0,"salary":{"min":119800,"max":234700,"currency":"USD","period":"year","gross":null,"usd_annual":234700},"salary_estimate":null,"experience_years_min":9,"visa_sponsorship":false,"relocation_package":false,"has_equity":false,"technologies":[{"name":"Copilot","optional":false},{"name":"FAISS","optional":false},{"name":"Fine-tuning","optional":false},{"name":"Hybrid Search","optional":false},{"name":"LLM","optional":false},{"name":"Machine Learning","optional":false},{"name":"Outlook","optional":false},{"name":"RAG","optional":false},{"name":"Reranking","optional":false},{"name":"Semantic Search","optional":false},{"name":"SharePoint","optional":false},{"name":"A/B Testing","optional":true},{"name":"Llama","optional":true},{"name":"OpenAI","optional":true},{"name":"Prompt Engineering","optional":true}],"status":"live","first_seen_at":"2026-10-28T17:40:18Z","employer_posted_date":"2026-10-30","last_verified_at":"2026-11-04T14:29:07Z","board_verified":true,"closed_at":null,"days_open":6,"trust":{"level":"ok","repost_count":null,"flags":[],"days_open":6},"description":"OverviewThe CASQ (Copilot, Agents, Search Quality) Search Relevance team is at the forefront of delivering world-class search quality across Microsoft's ecosystem. We are the driving force behind the relevance of results in Copilot Search experiences and serve as the core retrieval layer in the RAG architecture powering Bizchat (CoPilot Chat). Our impact also extends to maintaining high search quality across traditional endpoints like Outlook, Teams, and SharePoint Search. Our team thrives at the intersection of innovation and applied machine learning.\nWe are looking for a Senior Applied Scientist to help us deliver breakthrough applied machine learning and information retrieval solutions at enterprise scale. This role is a unique opportunity to apply state-of-the-art techniques-including dense retrieval, hybrid search, multilingual large language models (LLMs), RAG (Retrieval-Augmented Generation), and transformer-based re-ranking models and agentic search-to solve complex challenges in Copilot-driven enterprise search.\nAs a Senior Applied Scientist, you'll be responsible for delivering mission-critical innovations that directly improve Copilot experiences such as:\nAgentic Search in modern orchestrator architectures\n\nAdapting advanced vector search algorithms (e.g., FAISS, ANN, ScaNN) for enterprise-scale semantic retrieval\n\nImproving classic and neural keyword search quality through deep language understanding\n\nDesigning and training relevance models, including LLM fine-tuning and learning-to-rank (LTR) approaches\n\nBuilding robust evaluation pipelines using offline metrics and online A/B experimentation\n\nDriving cross-org collaboration with platform partners, other applied science teams, and product teams across time zones\n\nSetting vision and directions for agentic search in CoPilot Chat inspired by state-of-the-art and data-driven analysis\n\nThis role requires a mix of technical depth, strategic execution, and people management to shape the next generation of AI-powered search experiences.\nMicrosoft’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.\nResponsibilities\nDrive end-to-end applied science projects: From ideation and design to implementation, experimentation, and shipping, you will lead high-impact projects that directly improve Copilot Chat, Copilot Search, and BizChat experiences. This includes identifying search and relevance gaps, formulating innovative hypotheses, and delivering scalable solutions.\n\nInspire help to grow a high-performing applied science team: mentor, and empower a team of applied scientists-owning their technical direction, project execution, and career development. You will guide day-to-day work, ensure scientific and engineering rigor, and be accountable for the team's output and impact.\n\nInnovate with scientific rigor: Invent and apply cutting-edge techniques in machine learning, natural language processing, and information retrieval to address real-world challenges at enterprise scale. You will design novel approaches for improving retrieval, ranking, query understanding, and semantic search in Copilot systems.\n\nDocument, share, and amplify learnings: Promote a culture of transparency and innovation by capturing experimental results, documenting methodology, and publishing internal learnings. You'll drive knowledge sharing that enables broader impact across the organization.\n\nTranslate business goals into scientific strategy: Partner closely with product and business stakeholders to align team efforts with high-priority objectives. You will translate ambiguous product requirements into clear, data-driven, and technically feasible directions.\n\nCollaborate across organizations and time zones: Work cross-functionally with platform engineering teams, peer science orgs, and product managers to ensure alignment, resolve dependencies, and unblock progress. You'll be a key bridge between applied science innovation and product delivery.\n\nEmbody our Culture and Values\n\nQualifications\nRequired Qualifications:\nBachelor'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)\nOR 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)\nOR equivalent experience. \n\nOther Requirements:\n Ability to meet Microsoft, customer and/or government security screening requirements are required for this role. These requirements include but are not limited to the following specialized security screenings:\nMicrosoft Cloud Background Check: This position will be required to pass the Microsoft Cloud background check upon hire/transfer and every two years thereafter.\nPreferred Qualifications:\nMaster's Degree in Statistics, Econometrics, Computer Science, Electrical or Computer Engineering, or related field AND 9+ years related experience (e.g., statistics, predictive analytics, research) OR Doctorate in Statistics, Econometrics, Computer Science, Electrical or Computer Engineering, or related field AND 6+ years related experience (e.g., statistics, predictive analytics, research) \nOR equivalent experience. \n\n5+ years experience in applied science projects from ideation to production-in high-scale environments such as search, recommendation, or conversational AI. \n5+ years experience in data analysis at scale, including working with logs, telemetry, and large datasets to uncover behavioral patterns, build evaluation datasets, and derive insights. \n6+ years experience creating publications (e.g., patents, libraries, peer-reviewed academic papers). \n2+ years experience presenting at conferences or other events in the outside research/industry community as an invited speaker. \n5+ years experience conducting research as part of a research program (in academic or industry settings). \n5+ years experience developing and deploying live production systems, as part of a product team. \n5+ years experience developing and deploying products or systems at multiple points in the product cycle from ideation to shipping. \nExperience in search and ranking systems, semantic retrieval, and information retrieval at scale. \nApplied experience with state-of-the-art sparse and dense retrieval and ranking techniques. \nExperience with RAG (Retrieval-Augmented Generation) architectures using LLMs such as OpenAI GPT, T5, or Llama. \nExperience with Fine-tuning or prompt engineering of large-scale language models for query rewriting, summarization, and document reranking. \nFamiliarity with hybrid search strategies, learning-to-rank (LTR) frameworks, and evaluation methodologies for IR systems (offline metrics, A/B testing, relevance judgments). \n5+ years experience in applied science projects from ideation to production-in high-scale environments such as search, recommendation, or conversational AI. \n5+ years experience in data analysis at scale, including working with logs, telemetry, and large datasets to uncover behavioral patterns, build evaluation datasets, and derive insights. \n6+ years experience creating publications (e.g., patents, libraries, peer-reviewed academic papers). \n2+ years experience presenting at conferences or other events in the outside research/industry community as an invited speaker. \n5+ years experience conducting research as part of a research program (in academic or industry settings). \n5+ years experience developing and deploying live production systems, as part of a product team. \n5+ years experience developing and deploying products or systems at multiple points in the product cycle from ideation to shipping. \nExperience in search and ranking systems, semantic retrieval, and information retrieval at scale. \nApplied experience with state-of-the-art sparse and dense retrieval and ranking techniques. \nExperience with RAG (Retrieval-Augmented Generation) architectures using LLMs such as OpenAI GPT, T5, or Llama. \nExperience with Fine-tuning or prompt engineering of large-scale language models for query rewriting, summarization, and document reranking. \nFamiliarity with hybrid search strategies, learning-to-rank (LTR) frameworks, and evaluation methodologies for IR systems (offline metrics, A/B testing, relevance judgments). \n#CAP #Copilot\nApplied 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 $160,200 - $261,000 per year.\nCertain roles may be eligible for benefits and other compensation. Find additional benefits and pay information here:\nhttps://careers.microsoft.com/us/en/us-corporate-pay\nThis position will be open for a minimum of 5 days, with applications accepted on an ongoing basis until the position is filled.\nMicrosoft 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.","description_format":"text","description_chars":10290,"description_truncated":false,"requirements":{"experience_years_min":9,"management_years_min":null,"team_size_min":null,"manages_managers":false,"education":{"level":"bachelor","optional":true},"security_clearance":false,"languages":[]},"benefits":[],"hiring_locations":[],"hiring_excludes":[],"relocation_offered":false,"industries":["Console Games","Cloud Platforms (IaaS & PaaS)","Gaming Consoles","Developer Tools"],"lifecycle":[{"event":"open","at":"2026-10-30T23:40:53Z"}],"visa":[],"liveness":{"score":70,"band":"hot","label":"Hiring now","p_open":1,"p_active":0.695,"p_room":1,"age_days":6,"expected_fill_days":29,"reasons":["conf:1","stale_co","wave","velocity","win:early","comp:brand"],"computed_at":"2026-11-04T06:34:25Z"},"pay":{"stated_usd_annual":234700,"is_top_pay":true},"html_url":"https://alion.io/job/microsoft-senior-applied-scientist-9","json_url":"https://alion.io/job/microsoft-senior-applied-scientist-9.json","meta":{"generated_at":"2026-11-04T15:51:41Z","cache_seconds":300,"methodology":"https://alion.io/methodology","terms":"https://alion.io/terms","contact":"https://alion.io/contact","api":"https://alion.io/developers","about":"Alion is a live layer of people, companies and AI agents: who they are, whether they are real and active right now, what they do and how to work with them, readable by people and by agents and paid per call.","catalog":"https://alion.io/catalog.json","usage":{"tier":"crawler_verified","counted_by":"address","units_charged":1,"used_today":24249,"day_limit":null,"remaining_today":null,"minute_limit":300,"resets_at":"2026-11-05T00:00:00Z"}},"offers":[{"id":"company.slices","title":"One company in depth, by slice","status":"live","price":{"credits":0.02,"usd":0.002,"plus_per_slice":{"credits":0.05,"usd":0.005}},"unit":"per company, plus each slice with data","note":"the employer in depth","call":{"mcp_tool":"get_company","arguments":{"id":18},"rest":"https://alion.io/mcp/rest/get_company?id=18"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=company.slices&for=job%2Fmicrosoft-senior-applied-scientist-9"},{"id":"market.stats","title":"A market slice: pay, demand and time to fill","status":"live","price":{"credits":1,"usd":0.1},"unit":"per slice","note":"pay, demand and time to fill for this role and place","call":{"mcp_tool":"market_stats"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=market.stats&for=job%2Fmicrosoft-senior-applied-scientist-9"},{"id":"job.search","title":"Open jobs by role, technology, place, pay and visa","status":"live","price":{"credits":0.02,"usd":0.002},"unit":"per posting in a list","note":"similar open postings","call":{"mcp_tool":"search_jobs"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=job.search&for=job%2Fmicrosoft-senior-applied-scientist-9"},{"id":"company.verify","title":"Is this company real and active right now","status":"pilot","price":null,"unit":"per company","request":{"url":"https://alion.io/catalog/request","method":"POST","body":"{\"offer\": \"company.verify\", \"for\": \"job/microsoft-senior-applied-scientist-9\", \"note\": \"what you need it for\"}"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=company.verify&for=job%2Fmicrosoft-senior-applied-scientist-9"}],"agent":{"mcp":"https://alion.io/mcp/jobs","mcp_open":"https://alion.io/mcp/open","next":[{"tool":"get_job","arguments":{"id":3553576}},{"tool":"search_jobs","arguments":{"company":"microsoft.com","detail":"compact"}},{"tool":"match_people","arguments":{"job_id":3553576},"note":"people open to offers who fit this vacancy"}],"note":"The same data through MCP tools: https://alion.io/mcp/open needs no sign-in (compact searches, postings, people); https://alion.io/mcp with an Alion account has everything. Docs: https://alion.io/developers"}}