Principal UX Researcher

Microsoft Calendar – Time and Places is a core team within Microsoft 365, focused on redefining how people manage time, coordinate schedules, and connect across organizations. By deeply integrating AI through Microsoft Copilot, the team is transforming the calendar experience into a proactive, intelligent assistant that helps users plan smarter, reduce friction, and stay focused. Calendar Copilot features offer intelligent suggestions, meeting prep, follow-ups, and time protection—making scheduling not just easier, but more meaningful. As Microsoft continues to evolve the future of work, the Time and Places team plays a pivotal role in embedding AI into everyday routines, ensuring that time is spent with intention and impact. In essence, this team is not just building a calendar—they're shaping the rhythm of modern work.

We are seeking a Principal UX Researcher to help us set the path for our next generation of AI-powered experiences for time management in the Calendar apps and in Copilot chat. For this role, we're looking for someone who can move between exploratory, generative research to rapid evaluations of prototyped ideas. Someone who works across organizational roles to uncover the unspoken questions and beliefs and answers them with precision, detail, and durability. Someone who always puts people first and centers their needs, problems, goals, and aspirations for the team. Someone who is energized by direct, tangible product impact. A strong mixed methods researcher comfortable in interviews and with deep data analysis. If this sounds like you, please apply

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.

• Understand the behaviors, motivations, needs, and aspirations of our customers to create a differentiated advantage in our ability to build relevant and impactful experiences for people across the world.
• Drive product strategy through rigorous programs of multi-stage research executed to the highest standards.
• Balance rigor with scrappiness and the ability to push with a fast-moving team.
• Drive cross-team collaborations among all disciplines from early product stages to final implementations.
• Guide teams in creative new directions and help set ambitious goals that stand out from the crowd.
• Identify new opportunities and generate innovative ideas to improve our processes, culture, and influence our approach to research (e.g. mindsets, methodologies).
• Lead research on highly visible products or set of business initiatives with notable risk and complexity.
• Regularly influence at the highest levels of organizations.
• Elevate the research craft of the team.
• Embody our culture and values.

Required Qualifications:

• 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 8+ 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 6+ years User Experience Research experience
• OR 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 5+ years User Experience Research experience
• OR equivalent experience.
• High level research skills across methods, qualitative and quantitative (i.e. a Mixed Methods researcher).
• Curiosity and experimentation about AI-assisted research tools.

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:

• 10+ years experience working in UX research or a related field.
• Excellent communication and presentation / storytelling skills, with the ability to energize and activate teams.
• Demonstrated championing of fundamentals of user experience, including accessibility and inclusive design.
• Experience with commonly used research tools.

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.