Research Intern - UX Research and Design (Health AI)

Research Internships at Microsoft provide a dynamic environment for research careers with a network of world-class research labs led by globally-recognized scientists and engineers, who pursue innovation in a range of scientific and technical disciplines to help solve complex challenges in diverse fields, including computing, healthcare, economics, and the environment.

Our organization, Microsoft Health Futures, is an interdisciplinary group of researchers, data scientists, computational biologists, bioinformaticians, engineers, physicians, and user experience researchers who are working to accelerate biomedical discovery. We apply the design thinking process and engage with stakeholders to understand their needs, challenges, and workflows. Our team selects challenges in life sciences and healthcare to develop solutions to advance the promise of precision medicine.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Currently enrolled in a PhD program in biomedical informatics, data science, human computer-interaction, biomedical engineering, computational biology/multiomics or related program. 

Other Requirements

• Research Interns are expected to be physically located in their manager’s Microsoft worksite location for the duration of their internship.
• In addition to the qualifications below, you’ll need to submit a minimum of two reference letters for this position as well as a cover letter and any relevant work or research samples. After you submit your application, a request for letters may be sent to your list of references on your behalf. Note that reference letters cannot be requested until after you have submitted your application, and furthermore, that they might not be automatically requested for all candidates. You may wish to alert your letter writers in advance, so they will be ready to submit your letter. 

Preferred Qualifications

• Ability to conduct independent research.
• Knowledgeable in user research methodology, qualitative and quantitative.
• Ability to develop an original user research plan.
• Proficient communication skills, cross-group, and cross-culture collaboration.
• Experience conducting stakeholder interviews in healthcare, life sciences, or public health settings.
• Experience collaborating with interdisciplinary teams.
• Ability to identify stakeholder needs and pain points.
• Experience translating user needs and developing empathy for the user through a deep understanding of user-centered design methods and applications.
• Ability to create customer journey maps, service blueprints, and apply innovative approaches to communicate user insights to diverse teams.
• Biomedical informatics background in healthcare or medical discovery.
• Knowledge of biomedical data platforms for medical discovery.
• Familiarity with design and ideation tools such as Figma, inVision, Miro etc. 

The base pay range for this internship is USD $6,550 - $12,880 per month. 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 $8,480 - $13,920 per month.

Certain roles may be eligible for benefits and other compensation. Find additional benefits and pay information here: https://careers.microsoft.com/us/en/us-intern-pay 

Microsoft accepts applications and processes offers for these roles on an ongoing basis.

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.

Responsibilities

Research Interns put inquiry and theory into practice. Alongside fellow doctoral candidates and some of the world’s best researchers, Research Interns learn, collaborate, and network for life. Research Interns not only advance their own careers, but they also contribute to exciting research and development strides. During the 12-week internship, Research Interns are paired with mentors and expected to collaborate with other Research Interns and researchers, present findings, and contribute to the vibrant life of the community. Research internships are available in all areas of research, and are offered year-round, though they typically begin in the summer.

Our team is looking for Research Interns with experience in biomedical informatics, AI UX research & design innovation, and human-computer interaction. Further, they would be sufficiently well-versed in conducting foundational research, creating design artifacts, comfortable with ideation, user-centered design process, and working on zero to one project ideas. We are looking for Research Interns with strong analytical abilities, experience with user research and design methodologies, knowledge of biomedical data challenges for AI model development, and familiarity with data platforms for biomedical discovery.

Note that letters of recommendation are not required for this position.