Microsoft Research Reviews

Likes

High Expectations and Pressure: Research environments, especially at companies like Microsoft, can have high expectations for output, innovation, and the speed of progress, which can lead to pressure and stress. Balancing Research and Practical Application: Sometimes, researchers may feel caught between pursuing fundamental researchand delivering products or solutions that are immediately practical. This tension can be challenging for some. Collaboration Challenges: Working in a large, multidisciplinary environment might make it difficult for some to collaborate effectively due to differing priorities, work styles, or communication barriers. Funding and Resource Allocation: Like many large organizations, there can be competition for resources or research funding, which may limit opportunities for certain projects or ideas. Corporate Culture: As part of a major corporation, Microsoft Research may have a corporate culture that isn't aligned with the work preferences of all researchers, especially those who thrive in more academic or independent environments. However, these are general considerations, and many researchers find working at Microsoft Research to be a highly rewarding experience due to its cutting-edge projects, resources, and impact on technologies....Read More

Dislikes

High Expectations and Pressure: Research environments, especially at companies like Microsoft, can have high expectations for output, innovation, and the speed of progress, which can lead to pressure and stress. Balancing Research and Practical Application: Sometimes, researchers may feel caught between pursuing fundamental researchand delivering products or solutions that are immediately practical. This tension can be challenging for some. Collaboration Challenges: Working in a large, multidisciplinary environment might make it difficult for some to collaborate effectively due to differing priorities, work styles, or communication barriers. Funding and Resource Allocation: Like many large organizations, there can be competition for resources or research funding, which may limit opportunities for certain projects or ideas. Corporate Culture: As part of a major corporation, Microsoft Research may have a corporate culture that isn't aligned with the work preferences of all researchers, especially those who thrive in more academic or independent environments. However, these are general considerations, and many researchers find working at Microsoft Research to be a highly rewarding experience due to its cutting-edge projects, resources, and impact on technology....Read More

Work Details

Work days: Monday to Friday (Flexible Timings) 

Work related travel: This is a desk job.

Likes

love the flat hierarchy and openness at MSR; the people here have deep agency. conversations are open, sharp and often spark new ways of thinking. there's scope to work on frontier level research across domains be it compiler optimization or applied llm work. unlike parts of Microsoft where DSA-based hiring narrows perspectives, MSRis filled with people who have gone deep into research and real-world problems....Read More

Dislikes

hallway chats starting to feel like impromptu phd defenses; impostor syndrome is real.

Work Details

Work policy: 2 days/week from office

Work days: Monday to Friday (Flexible Timings) 

Work related travel: This is a desk job.