Applied Scientist
Microsoft
Applied Scientist
Microsoft
Builds workplace software, PCs and cloud services
Frontier Tuning is Microsoft’s AI customization platform that enables enterprises to adapt foundation models to their unique workflows, domains, and data—while preserving security, privacy, and reliability at scale. As we grow, Frontier Tuning is becoming a critical pillar for ensuring enterprise‑specific capabilities are systematically learned and reflected across Microsoft 365 and beyond.
We are seeking Applied Scientists with strong systems‑building skills who are excited to push the frontier of large‑scale model post‑training and adaptation. This role spans algorithmic innovation as well as the design and development of scalable infrastructure and tooling for training, steering, evaluating, and securely deploying enterprise‑ready AI systems.
We welcome candidates with experience in one or more of the following areas:
Scalable training systems for RLHF/RLAIF or other post‑training pipelines.
Transformer architecture design or efficient adaptation techniques (e.g., LoRA-style methods).
Inference‑time steering, controllability, or alignment approaches.
Debugging, evaluation, or development tooling for foundation models.
Operating and maintaining AI production systems.
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.
Efficient hosting of large language models and parameter-efficient adapters
Architectural or parameter‑efficient adaptation techniques
Inference‑time steering or controllability approaches
Tooling for evaluation, debugging, or model development
Harnesses
Implement and evaluate adaptation approaches under real‑world enterprise deployment constraints such as latency, safety, privacy, policy compliance, and compute efficiency.
Partner with research and engineering teams to translate product or customer requirements into scalable model adaptation solutions.
Drive technical work from concept to prototype, delivering new methods, systems components, or empirical insights that advance enterprise model customization.
Document approaches and share best practices to improve organizational capabilities in post‑training and secure deployment of foundation models.
Other Requirements:
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:
#M365
Applied Sciences IC3 - The typical base pay range for this role across the U.S. is USD $102,100 - $202,200 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 $133,800 - $219,200 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.
Microsoft builds workplace software, operating systems and cloud infrastructure for consumers, businesses and government agencies, from small organizations to global enterprises. Microsoft 365 combines Word and Excel with Teams communication and Copilot AI features, while Windows runs PCs and Surface supplies the company's own computers. Azure rents computing capacity, storage and databases to build and run web applications. Microsoft also sells Xbox consoles and games, collecting revenue through software licenses, subscriptions, usage charges and product sales. Founded in 1975 by Bill Gates and Paul Allen, Microsoft is headquartered in Redmond, Washington.
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