Cambridge Residency Programme – HCI Researcher & Maker

Overview

Generative AI (genAI) such as ChatGPT is already transforming how work gets done. As this technology continues to emerge, Microsoft Research’s Tools for Thought (T4T) team, based in Cambridge, UK, is examining its impact on human cognition. Microsoft want to know how genAI might change the way in which people think, learn, and understand. Microsoft's goal is to both understand the risks and explore how Microsoft might build new tools that allow people and AI to “think better together” – shifting from a focus on using AI to automate tasks and improve productivity to AI being more of a “tool for thought” that helps people think better.

Microsoft is looking for someone who will bring new and diverse perspectives and skills to Microsoft's team as Microsoft work on this problem. Ideally, Microsoft want someone who has expertise in human-computer interaction (HCI) but also has experience building their own interactive prototypes.

If you are successful, you will join a team that is multi-disciplinary, made up of social scientists, designers, machine learning researchers, and engineers. You will be based in a world-class research centre that prioritises human-centred design, and that deploys technologies built on a foundation of deep research in real-world settings.

Microsoft want applications from individuals of all genders, ethnicities, socioeconomic backgrounds, disabilities, and other dimensions of diversity. Microsoft believe in the power of diverse perspectives and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

Contract duration: 2 years

Responsibilities

During this residency you will:

• Collaborate with the Tools for Thought team to help Microsoft define Microsoft's research agenda and project work.
• Undertake user research around human cognition and AI.
• Create and test prototypes that combine user experiences with machine learning technologies in novel ways.

Communicate and collaborate with a range of partners, including those in Microsoft Research, Microsoft’s product teams, and academia.

Qualifications

Required/Minimum Qualifications:

Microsoft is looking for someone who combines a passion for doing research with real people with the ability to build interactive prototypes. Microsoft need you to have a formal qualification in the former, but be able to also demonstrate that you can build things:

Doing Research with People

• This residency requires you to have completed, or be close to completing, a PhD or equivalent in HCI or a related Social Science field (such as Psychology, Sociology, Anthropology, or Cognitive Science).
• You need to be able to show that you have experience doing research with people.
• You need to demonstrate the methods that you have used in your work, which might include qualitative and/or quantitative approaches such as ethnography or surveys.

Making Prototypes

• You should be able to demonstrate some interactive prototypes to Microsoft, to show that you have some experience building things. Microsoft aren’t expecting the skills of a professional programmer, though. You may be self-taught, for example.

Other Requirements:

• You should be able to show that you have good verbal and written communication skills and are comfortable reporting on work progress.
• You should have good project and time management skills, and experience working in multi-disciplinary teams.
• Ideally, Microsoft’d like to see examples of how you translated your research findings into practical action.
• If you have experience doing research or building prototypes that also use AI, it would be a bonus.

Microsoft is an equal opportunity employer. Consistent with applicable law, 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 and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application process, please read more about requesting accommodations.