Principal / Senior Researcher - Human-AI Behavior (AI)

TL;DR

Principal / Senior Researcher - Human-AI Behavior (AI): Advancing research at the intersection of human cognition, AI behavior, safety, and long-term societal outcomes with an accent on scholarship-driven research using rigorous empirical methods. Focus on translating foundational insights into product direction, governance frameworks, and external thought leadership for advanced AI systems.

Location: Mountain View, United States

Salary: The typical base pay range for IC4 roles across the U.S. is USD $119,800 – $234,700 per year, and USD $158,400 – $258,000 per year in the San Francisco Bay area and New York City metropolitan area. For IC5 roles, the typical base pay range across the U.S. is USD $139,900 – $274,800 per year, and USD $188,000 – $304,200 per year in the San Francisco Bay area and New York City metropolitan area.

Company

hirify.global is a multidisciplinary team focused on humanist superintelligence, long-term AI futures, and the psychological and sociotechnical dynamics that shape how advanced AI systems interact with people, institutions, and society.

What you will do

• Conduct original research on the psychological, behavioral, and societal impacts of advanced AI systems.
• Develop frameworks for human–AI interaction, AI psychology, alignment, and long-term safety for increasingly capable AI models.
• Use empirical, qualitative, quantitative, and mixed UXR methodologies to generate insights for product, design, and policy teams.
• Publish high-quality research in academic venues, conferences, and journals.
• Partner with engineering, product, Responsible AI, and policy teams to translate research into product roadmaps, safety evaluations, and governance models.
• Engage external collaborators across academia, think tanks, civil society, and regulatory ecosystems to establish Microsoft as a leader in human-centered AI psychology and safety research.
• Influence Microsoft’s research strategy on long-term AI trajectories, societal flourishing, and resilient ecosystem design.

Requirements

• Doctorate in a relevant field OR Master’s Degree in a relevant field AND 3+ years related research experience OR Bachelor’s Degree in a relevant field AND 4+ years related research experience.
• Demonstrated academic research background with emphasis on human behavior and intelligence, societal impact of technology, cognitive/behavioral sciences, or human-centered AI.
• Published work exploring long-term AI implications, alignment, safety, or human–machine systems.
• Skilled in synthesizing insights into frameworks that inform product teams, policymakers, and executive leadership.
• Ability to thrive in multidisciplinary environments bridging research, engineering, and governance.

Culture & Benefits

• 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.
• Assistance with religious accommodations and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application process is available.