Researcher, Futures Team (AI)

Location: Based in the Mountain View office, California, United States

Salary: USD $119,800–$234,700 per year across the U.S.; USD $160,200–$261,000 per year in the San Francisco Bay Area and New York City metropolitan area.

Company

Microsoft AI develops artificial intelligence products, research, and strategy within Microsoft.

What you will do

• Conduct rapid, rigorous research for the CEO across frontier AI, the science of intelligence, economics, history, geopolitics, philosophy, product strategy, and culture.
• Synthesize academic papers, technical reports, books, datasets, interviews, and internal research into briefings, memos, talking points, drafts, and presentations.
• Support executive writing, speaking, and thought leadership through research, argument development, and fact-checking.
• Track developments across AI and adjacent fields and assess their implications for Microsoft AI’s strategy, products, and public positions.
• Support Futures team projects involving scenario work, long-range planning, publications, convenings, and events.
• Build expert networks, coordinate with partner teams, handle sensitive information, and take research through to practical delivery.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in any discipline and 5+ years of experience in research, analysis, or writing, or a master’s degree/PhD and 3+ years of related experience, or equivalent experience.
• Demonstrated high-quality research and writing across more than one discipline through published work, reports, briefings, or equivalent outputs.
• Ability to synthesize complex material rapidly and communicate it clearly in writing and in person to senior audiences.
• Ability to work from the Mountain View office in California, United States.

Nice to have

• Deep familiarity with AI’s technical foundations, history, current research frontier, and societal impact debates.
• Advanced degree combined with intellectual range beyond the candidate’s primary discipline.
• Experience working directly with senior executives, founders, public intellectuals, or political leaders in research, speechwriting, chief of staff, or advisory roles.

Culture & Benefits

• Work directly with the CEO of Microsoft AI and senior leadership.
• Collaborate across Microsoft Research, product teams, and external academic, policy, and technology communities.
• Some roles may be eligible for benefits and additional compensation.
• Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis until the position is filled, with the posting open for at least five days.