Research Intern: Audio and Acoustics

Start Date: April/May 2026

Duration: 12 weeks

Location: Germany, Multiple Locations

Type of Employment: Internship (40hrs/week)

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.

We are looking for candidates with demonstrable experience in researching, developing, and characterizing new audio signal processing technologies. You will work with a multi-interdisciplinary team in applied research and product incubation, with the goal of creating the next generation of devices and user experience, as well as promoting your work in leading conferences in the field.

At Microsoft, Interns work on real-world projects in collaboration with teams across the world, while having fun along the way. You'll be empowered to build community, explore your passions and achieve your goals. This is your chance to bring your solutions and ideas to life while working on cutting-edge technology.

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

• Conduct research in one or more of the following areas: Classical DSP or ML-based algorithms for audio signal processing (audio bandwidth extension, speech enhancement, echo cancellation, source localization, speaker recognition, etc.).
• Design and implement experiments to test new hypotheses and validate research findings.
• Develop and optimise algorithms and models for various applications.
• Collaborate with team members to integrate research outcomes into practical solutions.
• Present research findings to the team and contribute to publications and patents.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Must be currently enrolled in a PhD program in audio signal processing, acoustics, or a related machine learning field, including but not limited to, speech enhancement, audio bandwidth extension, speaker recognition and source localization
• Fluency in English

Other Requirements:

Deep experience in at least one of the following areas:

• Classical signal processing theory and algorithms (adaptive filters, detection and estimation theory)
• ML and AI algorithms, approaches to audio signal processing
• Microphone signal processing
• Multi-modal (e.g., audio-visual) signal processing
• Numerical linear algebra
• Demonstrable experience developing, characterizing, and implementing signal processing algorithms.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Ability to clearly communicate what work you have done, why it was important, and how it was different from existing projects
• Ability to work in ambiguous uncharted areas and having the experience, creativity, and technical depth to identify technical gaps, acquire missing information, align requirements, and pick the right direction
• Ability to create, train, and optimize neural network architectures for audio (or audio-visual) applications such as speech enhancement, speaker recognition, echo cancellation, source localization, audio-visual speaker diarization and active speaker detection
• Proven understanding of deep learning tools such as PyTorch
• Fluency in Python and/or Matlab

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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.