Internships at the Microsoft Research Cambridge Lab are designed to allow you to expand your research horizons and get a taste of industry research. Interns are given real work with real problems to solve; working alongside one of our full-time researchers as your mentor. Previous interns have worked on cutting-edge projects like Kinect, Infer.NET, F# and Z3.
The Cambridge Lab runs two different types of internships – one for undergraduates, and one for Masters and PhD students.
Undergraduates: We accept Undergraduate applicants from students who are enrolled at a UK University program relevant to our areas of research. We prefer candidates to be in their 2nd, 3rd or 4th year of study. These internships typically last 8 weeks over the summer. For these roles, during the application stage, please select your Microsoft Contact as ‘Cambridge UK Undergrad 2016’. This will enable us to search and process your application more effectively.
PhDs: We are also looking for a variety of applicants who are Masters and PhD students enrolled on programs relevant to our areas of research. For our PhD internships we prefer candidates to have had two or three years’ experience of practical PhD-level research. These internships typically last 12 weeks.
When do you accept applications?
You are able to submit an application at any point. However typically internships are allocated in March with the majority of internships running over the summer.
If you wish to be considered for a 2016 summer placement, we recommend that you apply by 15thJanuary 2016, however further updates will be posted on this page and on our Twitter feed.
Additional deadlines for later internships in 2016 are:
30th April 2016
30th July 2016
31st October 2016
What could I expect to do?
As an intern at Microsoft Research you will be given the same job responsibilities as a full-time researcher. You’ll be given real work, with real problems to solve, working alongside one of our full-time researchers as your mentor. In return for your valued contribution, we will pay you a competitive salary. A number of our most successful interns have subsequently joined the full-time staff in Cambridge, and in some cases other Microsoft Research Labs.
How long do internships last?
Our internships are in 8-12 week blocks — this is so you can really dive into a project and make a significant contribution. The summer months are the most popular time, but we’ll work with you to set your start and end dates any time throughout the year.
How can I obtain a work visa?
Where required, we can help with getting a visa or work permit, and reimburse associated expenses.
What travel costs are involved?
We will reimburse travel costs.
Will I receive a salary?
Yes, our internships are paid. Microsoft Research intern salaries are highly competitive and compare favourably with intern salaries in other companies.
How can I apply?
For Cambridge applications, please send us your CV and a one or two page Personal Research Statement (at the end of your CV or in a separate document). Your personal research statement should answer the following questions:
- What are your research interests? What gets you excited? (Please don’t tell us anything you wouldn’t speak about if asked about your research in a public venue, such as a conference.)
- Which researcher or researchers at Cambridge would you like to work with?
- What sorts of projects would particularly interest you?
- What prior experience and expertise do you have that would be relevant to your internship?
- What are you particularly proud of in your track record?
- Why would you be a good choice for us?
We will use your research statement primarily for selection purposes, to see where you might fit. The actual project we offer you may well differ from the ones you suggest.