Decentralized Social Technology Research Intern

About Microsoft

Microsoft, the leading developer of software systems and applications, provides product, consulting, cloud-based, and solution support services. Microsoft has built a strong position in the market as the world’s largest software maker. Founded by Bill Gates and Paul Allen in 1975, the corporation is best known for its software products, flagship hardware products, touchscreen lineup, cloud systems, and services.

Your Role

• Interns put inquiry and theory into practice. Alongside fellow doctoral candidates and some of the world’s best researchers, interns learn, collaborate, and network for life.
• Interns not only advance their own careers but also contribute to exciting research and development strides.
• During the 12-week internship, students are paired with mentors and expected to collaborate with other 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.
• A core role of interns will be to embody the values of the Collaboratory. 
• Interns will act as strong peers and collaborators to each other, helping forge the priorities of the group.

Training & Development

The research sits at the intersection of legitimate social concerns about decentralized social technologies (DSTs) and the potential of these tools to enhance social inclusion, trust in information, privacy, and democratic organization. The work is inherently interdisciplinary, bringing together cryptography, social science, law, ethics, and a range of other disciplines within and outside of computer science.

Salary & Benefits

The base pay range for this internship is from $ 6,290 to $12,170 per month. Benefits/perks listed here may vary depending on the nature of employment with Microsoft and the country's work location.

• U.S.-based Ph.D., University, and Explore interns have access to medical and vision insurance, paid sick time (salaried interns accrue at 3.34 hours per pay period worked; hourly interns accrue at .03846 hours per hour worked), paid federal holidays, and software discounts.
• Puget Sound-based Ph.D., University, and Explore interns gain access to a bus pass and a fitness club membership.
• Discovery interns are not eligible for healthcare benefits or a fitness club membership, but they have access to paid sick time (accrued at .03846 hours per hour worked), paid federal holidays, software discounts, and a bus pass.

Career Progression

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. The researchers and engineers 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.

Work-Life Balance

Microsoft value and support flexibility as part of its hybrid workplace where every employee can do their best work by working the way they work best. A hybrid workplace is a mix of workstyles across three dimensions: work site, work location, and work hours. 

Culture & Vibe

Microsoft’s work culture relies on some key elements including quality, innovation, giving, accountability, responsiveness, positive mindset, and diversity. The company ensures the capability to address needs in the dynamic computer market and boost innovation. The current structure is suited to influence the performance of employees to achieve big and help everyone around the world achieve more.

About You

• Must be accepted or currently enrolled in a Ph.D. program in computer science, quantitative social science, or a closely related STEM or social science field.
• Interns are expected to be physically located in their manager’s Microsoft worksite location for the duration of their internship.
• Identity system and privacy architectures (i.e...., verifiable credentials, decentralized identifiers, soulbond tokens).
• Cryptographic protocols.
• Implementation of cryptography.
• Zero-knowledge proofs mechanism and information design.
• Privacy-preserving technologies such as designated verifier proofs, zero-knowledge proofs, secure multi-party computation, homomorphic encryption, and MixNets.

How to Apply

• You’ll need to submit a minimum of two reference letters for this position.
• 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, they might not be automatically requested for all candidates.
• To apply for this position, simply click the "Apply on employer site" button on this page.

Sources

The following sources were used in researching this page.

• careers.microsoft.com/Microsoft-career progression, training & development, salary & benefits