Staff Applied Scientist Internships
Staff applied scientist internships give university students, recent graduates, and early-career switchers hands-on project experience, mentorship from working applied scientists, and, at many employers, a path toward a full-time offer. Openings are concentrated across Technology & Software, with TikTok, Meta, and Ramp among the employers posting roles now.
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Come build community, explore your passions and do your best work at Microsoft with thousands of university interns from every corner of the world. This opportunity will allow you to bring your aspirations, talent, potential – and excitement for the journey ahead.
As an Applied Scientist Intern at Microsoft, you will be at the forefront of technological innovation, working collaboratively to bring research to life in our products and services. You'll gain expertise in cutting-edge research areas, apply advanced concepts to real-world needs, and use state-of-the-art tools to make a tangible impact on product quality and business outcomes. You'll contribute to the creation of intelligent solutions through data analysis, modeling, machine learning, and/or AI, LLM, SLM and agent, ensuring our products remain at the leading edge of innovation.
As an intern at Microsoft, you’re stepping into a world of real impact from day one. You’ll collaborate with global teams on meaningful projects, explore cutting-edge technologies like AI, and kick start your career while doing it. With a strong focus on learning and development, this is your opportunity to grow your skills, build community, and shape your future—all while being supported every step of the way.
Microsoft’s mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more. As employees we come together with a growth mindset, innovate and empower others, and collaborate to realize our shared goals. Each day we build on our values of respect, integrity, and accountability to create a culture of inclusion where everyone can thrive at work and beyond.
Responsibilities
Analyzes and improves performance of advanced algorithms on large-scale datasets and cutting-edge research in machine intelligence and machine learning applications.
Thinks through the product scenarios and goals, identify key challenges, then fit the scenario asks into Machine Learning (ML) tasks, design experimental process for iteration and optimization.
Implements prototypes of scalable systems in AI applications. Gains an understanding of a broad area of research and applicable research techniques, as well as a basic knowledge of industry trends and share your knowledge with immediate team members.
Prepares data to be used for analysis by reviewing criteria that reflect quality and technical constraints. Reviews data and suggests data to be included and excluded and be able to describe actions taken to address data quality problems.
Assists with the development of usable datasets for modeling purposes and support the scaling of feature ideation and data preparation.
Helps take cleaned data and adapt for machine learning purposes, under the direction of a senior team member.
Qualifications
Required Qualifications:
Currently pursuing a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Statistics, Econometrics, Computer Science, Electrical or Computer Engineering, or related field.
Must have at least one additional quarter/semester of school remaining following the completion of the internship.
Preferred Qualifications:
Currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Statistics, Econometrics, Computer Science, Electrical or Computer Engineering, or related field.
Passion for building AI experiences and an understanding of how AI tools and technologies can be applied to improve relevance, discovery, personalization, and end-user satisfaction.
#EiP
The base pay range for this internship is USD $5,690.00 - $11,210.00 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 $7,410.00 - $12,250.00 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
Microsoft accepts applications and processes offers for these roles on an ongoing basis throughout the academic calendar
(September - April)
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.
Come build community, explore your passions and do your best work at Microsoft with thousands of university interns from every corner of the world. This opportunity will allow you to bring your aspirations, talent, potential – and excitement for the journey ahead.
As an Applied Scientist Intern at Microsoft, you will be at the forefront of technological innovation, working collaboratively to bring research to life in our products and services. You'll gain expertise in cutting-edge research areas, apply advanced concepts to real-world needs, and use state-of-the-art tools to make a tangible impact on product quality and business outcomes. You'll contribute to the creation of intelligent solutions through data analysis, modeling, machine learning, and/or AI, LLM, SLM and agent, ensuring our products remain at the leading edge of innovation.
As an intern at Microsoft, you’re stepping into a world of real impact from day one. You’ll collaborate with global teams on meaningful projects, explore cutting-edge technologies like AI, and kick start your career while doing it. With a strong focus on learning and development, this is your opportunity to grow your skills, build community, and shape your future—all while being supported every step of the way.
Microsoft’s mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more. As employees we come together with a growth mindset, innovate and empower others, and collaborate to realize our shared goals. Each day we build on our values of respect, integrity, and accountability to create a culture of inclusion where everyone can thrive at work and beyond.
Responsibilities
Analyzes and improves performance of advanced algorithms on large-scale datasets and cutting-edge research in machine intelligence and machine learning applications.
Thinks through the product scenarios and goals, identify key challenges, then fit the scenario asks into Machine Learning (ML) tasks, design experimental process for iteration and optimization.
Implements prototypes of scalable systems in AI applications. Gains an understanding of a broad area of research and applicable research techniques, as well as a basic knowledge of industry trends and share your knowledge with immediate team members.
Prepares data to be used for analysis by reviewing criteria that reflect quality and technical constraints. Reviews data and suggests data to be included and excluded and be able to describe actions taken to address data quality problems.
Assists with the development of usable datasets for modeling purposes and support the scaling of feature ideation and data preparation.
Helps take cleaned data and adapt for machine learning purposes, under the direction of a senior team member.
Qualifications
Required Qualifications:
Currently pursuing a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Statistics, Econometrics, Computer Science, Electrical or Computer Engineering, or related field.
Must have at least one additional quarter/semester of school remaining following the completion of the internship.
Preferred Qualifications:
Currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Statistics, Econometrics, Computer Science, Electrical or Computer Engineering, or related field.
Passion for building AI experiences and an understanding of how AI tools and technologies can be applied to improve relevance, discovery, personalization, and end-user satisfaction.
#EiP
The base pay range for this internship is USD $5,690.00 - $11,210.00 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 $7,410.00 - $12,250.00 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
Microsoft accepts applications and processes offers for these roles on an ongoing basis throughout the academic calendar
(September - April)
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.
Staff Applied Scientist Internship Market
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Technology & Software
Tips for Your Staff Applied Scientist Internship Search
Apply in fall for the following summer
Large technology and research employers open summer intern recruiting as early as August or September of the year before. If you wait until spring to start applying, the structured cohort programs at bigger companies are often already full. Set a reminder to check for openings the moment your fall semester begins.
Build a portfolio before you need it
Hiring teams for staff applied scientist internships assess candidates on tangible work, not job history. Document two or three complete projects with the tools used, the question you were answering, and a link to the code, analysis, or writeup. A public repository or technical blog post gives recruiters something to evaluate before the first screen.
Work your campus network and apply directly at the same time
Campus career fairs surface structured intern programs tied to your university, and professors or career center staff often know which employers recruit from your school before roles post publicly. Applying directly to companies running smaller cohorts alongside campus activity widens the pool you reach and fills gaps the fair doesn't cover.
Practice your technical screen out loud
Staff applied scientist intern interviews typically include a machine learning or statistics screen, a coding assessment on data structures and algorithms, or both. Practice solving problems aloud and explaining your reasoning step by step, since interviewers weigh how you think through a problem as much as whether you reach the right answer.
Target structured intern programs early
Many large technology and research employers run cohort-based intern programs designed to train people new to applied science roles. These programs recruit on a fixed calendar, fill their first wave quickly, and are competitive. Identify the ones that fit your background and submit in the opening weeks of recruiting, not after the deadline.
Set your work-type filter before you start
On-site roles are 53% of the staff applied scientist internships listed here. Decide what you can actually commit to before you search, then filter by location and work type so you're not sorting through roles you can't take. Applying to a focused list of realistic openings is faster and more effective than a wide, unfiltered search.
Staff Applied Scientist Internships: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a staff applied scientist internship?
Lead with coursework, personal projects, and a portfolio rather than work history, hiring teams expect limited experience at the intern level. For staff applied scientist roles, a linked repository of experiments, model writeups, or published analyses gives recruiters something concrete to assess. Combine direct applications with campus career fairs, where recruiters often move faster for students they meet in person.
Can a staff applied scientist internship turn into a full-time job?
Many employers extend return offers to strong interns, but conversion is never guaranteed. What actually drives it for staff applied scientist interns is performance on real project work, available headcount on the team at the time of the offer, and how early you signal interest. Position yourself by delivering consistently, without counting on a return offer as a certainty.
When should I apply for staff applied scientist internships?
Earlier than most students expect. Large employers open summer intern recruiting the preceding fall, sometimes as early as August or September. Smaller companies and co-op programs post closer to their actual start dates, so openings appear year-round. Checking listings regularly and applying as soon as a role goes live gives you the best shot at a first-round interview.
Are staff applied scientist internships paid?
Most professional staff applied scientist internships in the United States are paid. Compensation varies by company size, industry, and location, and listings show it where the employer chooses to disclose it. Unpaid internships exist but are uncommon at established technology, research, and analytics employers in this field.
What should a staff applied scientist internship resume include?
Lead with projects, not work history. Include two or three complete, documented projects that name the tools and methods used and link to where the work lives, a code repository, published analysis, or technical writeup. Add relevant coursework in machine learning, statistics, or your domain area. Keep the entire resume to one page.
Are there remote staff applied scientist internships?
Yes. Remote and hybrid roles make up 47% of the staff applied scientist internship listings here, with the rest on-site. Remote intern cohorts fill fast because they draw applicants from across the country, so apply early and filter by work type to see them before seats close.
Can international students get staff applied scientist internships?
Yes. F-1 students can intern through CPT while enrolled or through OPT work authorization after finishing a degree, and the employer does not have to file anything for either, so many companies are open to international interns. Confirm your eligibility and timing with your university's international student office before accepting an offer.
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