CPT Research Jobs
Research roles on CPT span academic labs, think tanks, and private R&D teams. Your DSO must authorize each position as integral to your degree, so bring a detailed offer letter describing your research duties and how they connect to your program's learning objectives.
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Overview
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. The Health and Life Sciences (HLS) group at Microsoft is dedicated to advancing healthcare and life sciences through innovative technology solutions, fostering collaboration, and driving impactful research to improve patient outcomes and streamline healthcare operations. We leverage various speech technologies to improve patient outcomes, reduce provider burnout and streamline healthcare operations. At the core of this technology is the responsible use of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Microsoft's deep investments in the field are advancing the state of the art in speech recognition, speech synthesis, voice privacy and spoken language understanding. These advancements enable computers to understand and generate natural language, answer complex questions, and interact with their environment through voice. In addition, the company's researchers are thought leaders on the ethics and societal impacts of intelligent technologies. The research, tools, and services that result from this investment are woven into existing and new products and, at the same time, made open and accessible to the broader community in a bid to accelerate innovation, democratize AI, and solve the world's most pressing challenges.
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.
Qualifications
Required Qualifications
- Accepted or currently enrolled in a PhD program in Computer Science or 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
- Demonstrated ability to develop and works towards a research plan.
- Ability to collaborate effectively with other teams, including research, engineering and product management.
- Proficient communication skills, both verbal and written, with a proven track record of effectively interacting with diverse teams and stakeholders.
- Ability to think unconventionally to derive creative and innovative solutions.
The base pay range for this internship is USD $6,710 - $13,270 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 $8,760 - $14,360 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.
Benefits/perks listed below may vary depending on the nature of your employment with Microsoft and the country where you work. This position will be open for a minimum of 5 days, with applications accepted on an ongoing basis until the position is filled.
Microsoft is an equal opportunity employer. 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 with religious accommodations and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application process, read more about requesting accommodations.
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Get Access To All JobsResearch CPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Does a research role qualify for CPT authorization?
A research role qualifies if your DSO can document that the work is an integral part of your current curriculum, not just related to your field. That usually means linking the position's duties to a specific course, thesis, or dissertation requirement. Roles in academic labs, think tanks, government agencies, and private R&D departments have all been successfully authorized, provided the offer letter is specific enough for your DSO to make that connection.
Can I do CPT at a research institution that isn't affiliated with my university?
Yes, CPT doesn't require institutional affiliation between your employer and your school. What matters is whether your DSO can verify the academic connection on your end. A federal research agency, a private biotech lab, or an independent think tank all qualify as long as your offer letter describes research duties that map to your degree program's learning objectives and your DSO signs off.
How do I find research employers who are willing to authorize CPT?
Start on Migrate Mate, which filters research roles by employers with a documented history of hiring F-1 students. Beyond that, university career centers often maintain lists of labs and organizations that have hosted CPT students before. Prioritize employers who ask for your I-20 upfront or mention CPT in the job description, since they already understand the authorization process and won't treat it as a last-minute complication.
What happens to my CPT authorization if my research project ends early?
CPT is employer-specific and position-specific. If your research project wraps up before your authorized end date, you can't automatically transfer that authorization to a different employer or project. You'd need a new CPT authorization from your DSO for any subsequent role. Your I-20 end date for the original CPT remains unchanged, but working beyond the project without new authorization would violate your F-1 status.
Does full-time CPT in a research role affect my OPT eligibility?
Full-time CPT authorized for 12 months or more eliminates your post-completion OPT eligibility entirely. Part-time CPT, regardless of duration, doesn't affect OPT. If you're considering a full-time research placement that extends past 12 months, factor in the OPT trade-off before accepting. Many F-1 students in research-heavy programs intentionally keep individual CPT authorizations under 12 months or structure their work as part-time to preserve OPT.