Principal Quantitative User Researcher

Job description

Microsoft is seeking a **Principal Quantitative User Researcher** to lead and advance our data-driven research strategy for AI-powered enterprise solutions.

In this role, you will shape the future of quantitative UX research at Microsoft—driving telemetry analysis, experimentation, and human-centered evaluation methods to measure AI success and its impact on people: users, customers, and organizations.

You’ll go beyond surface metrics to uncover the signals that truly define user experience, interpreting behavior and context to inform product and model decisions.

Your work will operationalize UX measurement through telemetry, in-product surveys, and experimentation, while triangulating quantitative and qualitative insights to guide decisions end-to-end.

This is a unique opportunity to ensure human-centered insights drive innovation at scale.

As a Principal researcher, you will:

+ Define best practices and build methodological rigor for quantitative UX research.
+ Promote a culture of data-driven decision-making across product, design, and AI teams, while effectively integrating insights.
+ Mentor and elevate the research discipline, shaping how we integrate data, evaluation, and experimentation into building world-class enterprise AI experiences.

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 to 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**

+ Lead quantitative user research programs for AI in enterprise scenarios, shaping research vision and strategy for user-centric AI solutions.
+ Triangulate multiple, large-scale data sources (telemetry, surveys, experiments, qualitative studies, customer feedback) into clear, decision‑ready insights and recommendations.
+ Be a force multiplier - act as an enabler and amplifier for the team—building scalable solutions, frameworks, and processes that empower others to do more and achieve impact faster.
+ Collaborate deeply with cross-functional teams (product management, design, applied/data science, core AI research) to integrate quantitative insights into product development and model improvement cycles.
+ Analyze large-scale telemetry and usage data to uncover user behavior patterns, pain points, and opportunities for improving AI features.
+ Evaluate AI models and product experiences using human-centered metrics and scalable evaluation frameworks to ensure alignment with user needs and expectations.
+ Plan and analyze experiments - interpret scorecards and guardrails, drive go/no‑go and iteration decisions with product, design, engineering, and data scientist partners.
+ Approach ambiguity with confidence - embrace scrappiness and work effectively with messy or incomplete datasets and processes, recognizing that data maturity is an evolving process.
+ Drive clarity and momentum in fast-changing environments by aligning teams around shared goals and delivering measurable outcomes.

Help team prioritize the what and where next.
+ Champion a culture of learning and inclusion by sharing across the org, Microsoft, and the broader community through presentations, publications, and workshops

**Qualifications**

**Required Qualifications:**

+ Doctorate in Human-Computer Interaction, Human Factors Engineering, Computer Science, Technical Communications, Information Science, Information Architecture, User Experience Design, Behavioral Science, Social Sciences, or related field AND 3+ years User Experience Research experience
+ OR Master's Degree in Human-Computer Interaction, Human Factors Engineering, Computer Science, Technical Communications, Information Science, Information Architecture, User Experience Design, Behavioral Science, Social Sciences, or related field AND 4+ years User Experience Research experience
+ OR Bachelor's Degree in Human-Computer Interaction, Human Factors Engineering, Computer Science, Technical Communications, Information Science, Information Architecture, User Experience Design, Behavioral Science, Social Sciences, or related field AND 6+ years User Experience Research experience
+ OR equivalent experience.
+ 8+ years of experience in user research, data science, or a related field, with a strong focus on quantitative analysis and impact on product development (or equivalent combination of advanced degree and experience).
+ Demonstrated experience in statistical analysis, survey, experimental design, and model and UX evaluation including hands-on experience with A/B testing and interpretation of complex data results.
+ Proficiency in analyzing telemetry and large datasets using tools such as SQL, R/Python, and in translating data into actionable insights and visualizations.
+ Demonstrated ability to triangulate quant + qual and translate findings into product decisions with cross‑functional partners.
+ Understanding of trends in generative AI, AI/ML systems, and responsible AI principles.
+ Effective communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to convey complex findings to diverse audiences and work effectively across product, design, engineering, and science teams.

**Other Requirements:**

Ability to meet Microsoft, customer and/or government security screening requirements are required for this role.

These requirements include but are not limited to the following specialized security screenings:

+ **Microsoft Cloud Background Check:** This position will be required to pass the Microsoft Cloud background check upon hire/transfer and every two years thereafter.

**Preferred Qualifications:**

+ Advanced degree (Master’s or PhD) in a relevant field (e.g., Human-Computer Interaction, Data Science, Statistics, Cognitive Psychology).
+ Experience in AI-driven business applications and enterprise product research.
+ Experience leading horizontal initiatives and scaling research impact across multiple teams.
+ Experience building and maintaining research infrastructure (e.g., dashboards, reusable pipelines)
+ Background in behavioral or cultural sciences (e.g., psychology, anthropology, sociology) to deepen interpretation of user behavior and context in triangulation of quant + qual insights.
+ Proven ability to mentor and develop other researchers or team members, fostering a data-informed culture and scaling research impact through training or community programs.
+ Demonstrated thought leadership in user research or AI (e.g., published research, patents, or conference presentations) that showcases innovation in methods or insights.

UX Research IC5 - The typical base pay range for this role across the U.S. is USD $139,900 - $274,800 per year.

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 $188,000 - $304,200 per year.

Certain roles may be eligible for benefits and other compensation.

Find additional benefits and pay information here: https://careers.microsoft.com/us/en/us-corporate-pay

Microsoft will accept applications for the role until October 22, 2025

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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 (https://careers.microsoft.com/v2/global/en/accessibility.html) .

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