Research Intern - Optical Technologies

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.

Join our Leading-Edge Architecture Pathfinding (LEAP) team within the Strategic Planning and Architecture (SPARC) organization in Azure Hardware Systems & Infrastructure (AHSI). AHSI is the team behind Microsoft’s expanding cloud business, responsible for delivering the hardware systems and infrastructure for cloud computing across Microsoft Azure, Bing, MSN, Office 365, OneDrive, Skype, Teams and Xbox Live. 

This Research Internship position is for a team focused on optical technologies and their applications in datacenter AI, HPC and analytics systems. Our vision is to build that fundamentally better systems with the best of use optical technologies. A big part of our charter is to survey emerging optical technologies across opto-electronic transceivers, co-packaged optics, optical circuit switches and novel materials that improve the quality of optical communication. Once we find technologies of interest, we define, develop and use Proofs-of-Concept vehicles to address gaps and pave the way towards at-scale deployment Azure's datacenters. Being part of LEAP where we can work with other brilliant technologists who investigate future memory, storage, network interfaces and interconnects makes our directions more wholistic and balanced.

Required Qualifications

• Currently enrolled in a PhD program in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering or Optical Engineering or a related STEM field.

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

• PhD research involves optical technologies or their applications to datacenter networks or interconnects.
• Proficient programming skills in Python or equivalent languages.
• Academic work includes combination of datacenter systems architecture, networking and/or interconnects.
• Familiarity with AI training and inference scale-up and scale-out requirements.
• Familiarity with writing system-level simulators that can help evaluate topologies for AI-centric workloads.
• Specialization in Optical Circuit Switches.
• Ability to author high quality publications with prior exposure to top industry conferences.
• Proficient communication and presentation skills.

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: 

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

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.