Microsoft
Join to apply for the Director of Research role at Microsoft. The AI Business Solutions (ABS) team is looking for a Director of Research to help drive future‑of‑work thought leadership and marketing communications. This is a unique opportunity to keep everyone and every organization evolving with a rapidly changing world without getting left behind as Artificial Intelligence reshapes every aspect of work and business.
Responsibilities
Research Planning & Documentation:
Draft detailed research plans outlining objectives, hypotheses, methodologies, and timelines.
Day‑to‑Day Research Execution:
Oversee the daily progress of research activities to meet project milestones and partner with external collaborators to refine experiment designs and protocols.
Experiment Design & Support:
Collaborate with the Lead Researcher, Lead Data Scientist, and external partners to design rigorous experiments and set up research protocols (e.g., control vs. treatment groups, randomization schemes, measurement metrics) aligned with business needs and scientific standards.
Primary Research Activities:
Carry out core research tasks, including literature reviews, qualitative and quantitative research, hypothesis generation, and pattern analysis.
Customer Research Engagement:
Support and lead conversations with customer participants involved in the research.
Experiment Materials Creation:
Develop all supporting materials required for experiments and for sharing insights with stakeholders, tailoring communication of complex experimental concepts into understandable content for non‑research audiences.
Blueprint Co‑Design:
Collaborate in co‑designing "blueprint" materials that translate research outcomes into practical frameworks or recommendations.
Data Science Peer Review:
Act as a peer reviewer and thought partner to the team’s Lead Data Scientist, reviewing data collection plans, analysis code, and preliminary results to ensure accuracy and validity.
Privacy & Legal Compliance:
Lead preparation of materials and discussions needed for research protocol sign‑off with Privacy and Legal teams, ensuring compliance with data privacy regulations and ethical standards.
Cross‑Functional Collaboration:
Serve as a liaison between the research team and other stakeholders (program managers, product teams, or leadership), providing regular updates and integrating research findings into broader project deliverables and strategic decisions.
Culture and Values:
Embody Microsoft’s culture and values in all research activities.
Qualifications
Required/minimum qualifications:
7+ years experience in data science, research, marketing, or business‑related roles.
OR Bachelor’s Degree in Business, Marketing, Economics, Social Sciences, Statistics, or related field AND 6+ years experience in data science, research, marketing, or business‑related roles.
OR Master’s Degree in Business, Marketing, Economics, Social Sciences, Statistics, or related field AND 4+ years experience in data science, research, marketing, or business‑related roles.
5+ years of hands‑on research experience including designing and executing complex research projects from start to finish.
Additional or Preferred Qualifications:
9+ years experience in data science, research, marketing, or business‑related roles.
OR Bachelor’s Degree in Business, Marketing, Economics, Social Sciences, Statistics, or related field AND 8+ years experience in data science, research, marketing, or business‑related roles.
OR Master’s Degree in Business, Marketing, Economics, Social Sciences, Statistics, or related field AND 7+ years experience in data science, research, marketing, or business‑related roles.
OR Doctorate in Business, Marketing, Economics, Social Sciences, Statistics, or related field AND 5+ years experience in data science, research, marketing, or business‑related roles.
3+ years project management experience.
4+ years experience working with decision makers to define the need and scope of research to answer questions.
4+ years creating content that conveys a simple, clear message.
7+ years of hands‑on research experience including designing and executing complex research projects, preferably within a marketing organization.
Background in behavioral research, social science experiments, user experience research, or market research.
Experience with qualitative data analysis software such as NVivo or Dedoose, or willingness to learn.
Familiarity with quantitative analysis or statistical software such as SPSS, R, Python/Pandas, or advanced Excel, and ability to run or understand basic statistical analyses and interpret data outputs.
Experience with survey tools (e.g., Microsoft Forms, Qualtrics) to design and analyze surveys.
Proficient understanding of research ethics and privacy requirements, including GDPR, data protection principles, and experience preparing IRB submissions or following informed consent procedures.
Comfortable working with advanced AI tools such as Copilot for M365 to carry out AI‑empowered research processes.
Market Research IC5 – The typical base pay range for this role across the U.S. is USD
130,900
–
251,900
per year. For the San Francisco Bay area and New York City metropolitan area the base pay range is USD
165,600
–
272,300
per year. Certain roles may be eligible for benefits and other compensation.
Microsoft will accept applications for this role until November 10th, 2025.
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, read more about requesting accommodations.
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Responsibilities
Research Planning & Documentation:
Draft detailed research plans outlining objectives, hypotheses, methodologies, and timelines.
Day‑to‑Day Research Execution:
Oversee the daily progress of research activities to meet project milestones and partner with external collaborators to refine experiment designs and protocols.
Experiment Design & Support:
Collaborate with the Lead Researcher, Lead Data Scientist, and external partners to design rigorous experiments and set up research protocols (e.g., control vs. treatment groups, randomization schemes, measurement metrics) aligned with business needs and scientific standards.
Primary Research Activities:
Carry out core research tasks, including literature reviews, qualitative and quantitative research, hypothesis generation, and pattern analysis.
Customer Research Engagement:
Support and lead conversations with customer participants involved in the research.
Experiment Materials Creation:
Develop all supporting materials required for experiments and for sharing insights with stakeholders, tailoring communication of complex experimental concepts into understandable content for non‑research audiences.
Blueprint Co‑Design:
Collaborate in co‑designing "blueprint" materials that translate research outcomes into practical frameworks or recommendations.
Data Science Peer Review:
Act as a peer reviewer and thought partner to the team’s Lead Data Scientist, reviewing data collection plans, analysis code, and preliminary results to ensure accuracy and validity.
Privacy & Legal Compliance:
Lead preparation of materials and discussions needed for research protocol sign‑off with Privacy and Legal teams, ensuring compliance with data privacy regulations and ethical standards.
Cross‑Functional Collaboration:
Serve as a liaison between the research team and other stakeholders (program managers, product teams, or leadership), providing regular updates and integrating research findings into broader project deliverables and strategic decisions.
Culture and Values:
Embody Microsoft’s culture and values in all research activities.
Qualifications
Required/minimum qualifications:
7+ years experience in data science, research, marketing, or business‑related roles.
OR Bachelor’s Degree in Business, Marketing, Economics, Social Sciences, Statistics, or related field AND 6+ years experience in data science, research, marketing, or business‑related roles.
OR Master’s Degree in Business, Marketing, Economics, Social Sciences, Statistics, or related field AND 4+ years experience in data science, research, marketing, or business‑related roles.
5+ years of hands‑on research experience including designing and executing complex research projects from start to finish.
Additional or Preferred Qualifications:
9+ years experience in data science, research, marketing, or business‑related roles.
OR Bachelor’s Degree in Business, Marketing, Economics, Social Sciences, Statistics, or related field AND 8+ years experience in data science, research, marketing, or business‑related roles.
OR Master’s Degree in Business, Marketing, Economics, Social Sciences, Statistics, or related field AND 7+ years experience in data science, research, marketing, or business‑related roles.
OR Doctorate in Business, Marketing, Economics, Social Sciences, Statistics, or related field AND 5+ years experience in data science, research, marketing, or business‑related roles.
3+ years project management experience.
4+ years experience working with decision makers to define the need and scope of research to answer questions.
4+ years creating content that conveys a simple, clear message.
7+ years of hands‑on research experience including designing and executing complex research projects, preferably within a marketing organization.
Background in behavioral research, social science experiments, user experience research, or market research.
Experience with qualitative data analysis software such as NVivo or Dedoose, or willingness to learn.
Familiarity with quantitative analysis or statistical software such as SPSS, R, Python/Pandas, or advanced Excel, and ability to run or understand basic statistical analyses and interpret data outputs.
Experience with survey tools (e.g., Microsoft Forms, Qualtrics) to design and analyze surveys.
Proficient understanding of research ethics and privacy requirements, including GDPR, data protection principles, and experience preparing IRB submissions or following informed consent procedures.
Comfortable working with advanced AI tools such as Copilot for M365 to carry out AI‑empowered research processes.
Market Research IC5 – The typical base pay range for this role across the U.S. is USD
130,900
–
251,900
per year. For the San Francisco Bay area and New York City metropolitan area the base pay range is USD
165,600
–
272,300
per year. Certain roles may be eligible for benefits and other compensation.
Microsoft will accept applications for this role until November 10th, 2025.
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, read more about requesting accommodations.
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