how to get a researcher job

How to become a researcher

Is becoming a researcher right for me.

The first step to choosing a career is to make sure you are actually willing to commit to pursuing the career. You don’t want to waste your time doing something you don’t want to do. If you’re new here, you should read about:

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How to become a Researcher

Becoming a researcher typically requires a combination of education, training, and experience. Here is a detailed guide on how to become a researcher:

• Choose a field: The first step in becoming a researcher is to choose a field of study. This can include areas such as science, social sciences, humanities, or business.
• Get a Bachelor's Degree: Most researchers have at least a bachelor's degree in their chosen field. During undergraduate studies, students should focus on taking courses that align with their research interests and develop skills such as critical thinking, data analysis, and research methods.
• Pursue Graduate Studies: A graduate degree is often required to become a researcher. Depending on the field, a master's degree or Ph.D. may be necessary. Graduate programs typically involve coursework, research, and the development of a thesis or dissertation.
• Gain Research Experience: Research experience is critical in becoming a researcher. Students can gain experience by working as research assistants, participating in internships, or volunteering in research projects. This can provide valuable hands-on experience and help build a professional network.
• Develop Research Skills: Researchers need a wide range of skills, including critical thinking, data analysis, and communication skills. It is important to develop these skills by taking courses, attending workshops, and participating in research projects.
• Build a Professional Network: Networking is crucial in the field of research. Attend conferences, seminars, and other events to meet other researchers and build relationships. This can also help with finding research opportunities.
• Apply for Research Jobs: Once the necessary education and experience have been gained, it is time to start applying for research jobs. Look for positions in academic institutions, government agencies, non-profit organizations, and private companies.
• Publish Research: Publishing research is an important part of being a researcher. This involves writing up research findings and submitting them to academic journals or presenting them at conferences.
• Continue Professional Development: Researchers must keep up with the latest developments in their field. This involves continuing education, attending conferences, and networking with other professionals.

Associations There are many associations and organizations for researchers that offer networking opportunities, professional development resources, and other benefits. Here are just a few examples of associations for researchers:

• American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS): The AAAS is the world's largest multidisciplinary scientific society, with a mission to advance science and serve society through initiatives in science policy, education, and public engagement. The organization offers a range of resources and benefits for researchers, including access to scientific journals, career development resources, and networking opportunities.
• Association for Computing Machinery (ACM): The ACM is a professional organization for computer scientists and researchers. The organization offers conferences, publications, and other resources to support research in the field of computing.
• American Psychological Association (APA): The APA is a professional organization for psychologists and researchers in psychology. The organization offers publications, conferences, and other resources to support research in the field.
• Society for Neuroscience (SfN): The SfN is a professional organization for researchers in neuroscience. The organization offers conferences, publications, and other resources to support research in the field.
• Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO): The ARVO is a professional organization for researchers in vision and ophthalmology. The organization offers conferences, publications, and other resources to support research in the field.
• Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology (SIOP): The SIOP is a professional organization for researchers in industrial and organizational psychology. The organization offers conferences, publications, and other resources to support research in the field.

Online Resources There are many online resources available for researchers that can help them stay up-to-date with the latest research, find funding opportunities, collaborate with other researchers, and more. Here are some examples of online resources for researchers:

• Google Scholar: Google Scholar is a free search engine that provides access to scholarly literature, including articles, theses, books, and conference papers. Researchers can use Google Scholar to find relevant research articles and track citations of their own work.
• ResearchGate: ResearchGate is a social networking site for researchers that allows them to connect with other researchers, share research, and ask and answer questions. Researchers can use ResearchGate to collaborate with other researchers and get feedback on their work.
• PubMed: PubMed is a free search engine for biomedical literature, including articles, books, and conference papers. Researchers can use PubMed to find relevant research articles in the field of medicine and health.
• arXiv: arXiv is an online archive of preprints in the fields of physics, mathematics, computer science, quantitative biology, and statistics. Researchers can use arXiv to share their work before it is published in a peer-reviewed journal.
• GrantForward: GrantForward is a database of funding opportunities for researchers in all fields. Researchers can use GrantForward to search for funding opportunities and set up alerts for new opportunities in their field.
• Open Science Framework (OSF): OSF is an online platform for managing and sharing research. Researchers can use OSF to manage their data, collaborate with others, and share their work openly.

What is a researcher and how to become one

A researcher conducts research in a particular field of study. They collect and analyze data, including surveys, experiments, and observations. Researchers may work in universities, government agencies, private companies, and non-profit organizations. They aim to generate new knowledge and contribute to the advancement of their field. They often publish their findings in academic journals and present them at conferences. Researchers are characterized by their curiosity, critical thinking skills , and dedication.

What experience really stands out on Researcher resumes?

Professor and Program Coordinator of Research, Measurement, and Statistics, Kent State University

How long does it takes to become a researcher?

It typically takes 8-12 years to become a researcher:

• Years 1-4: Obtaining a Bachelor's degree in a relevant field, such as biology, chemistry, or physics.
• Years 5-8: Pursuing a Doctorate degree in a relevant field, which typically takes 4 years.
• Years 9-10: Accumulating the necessary work experience, which is typically 2-4 years.

On-site and on-the-job training, which typically takes 1-2 years, is often required and overlaps with accumulating the necessary work experience.

• Salary $67,145
• Growth Rate 17%
• Jobs Number 30,498
• Job Satisfaction 3/5
• Most Common Skill Python
• Most Common Degree Bachelor's degree
• Best State New Jersey

Researcher pros and cons

Ability to work on intellectually stimulating projects

Flexibility in research topics and methods

Chance to work with cutting-edge technology and equipment

Possibility of securing grant funding for research projects

High degree of independence and autonomy in the research process

Intense competition for funding and publication opportunities

Potential for isolation and loneliness in solitary research work

Challenges in communicating findings to non-expert audiences

Limited financial compensation, especially in early career stages

Ethical concerns around research design, data collection, and participant consent.

Researcher career paths

Researchers can easily transition into a variety of roles. They can become consultants, project managers, or product managers and oversee the development of new products. They can also become laboratory technicians or managers, working in a hands-on environment. Researchers can also move into engineering roles, becoming senior engineers, engineering managers, or engineering directors. Finally, they can become instructors, research associates, or specialists, sharing their knowledge with others.

Key steps to become a researcher

Explore researcher education requirements.

The educational requirements for a researcher are a master's or doctorate degree. According to Alessandra Bryant PhD, LMFT, Assistant Professor, Marriage and Family Therapy at Fairfield University, "Human development is an interdisciplinary major with multiple avenues to pursue post-bachelor's degree. You really need to pursue a master's degree post bachelor's to ensure job security post-grad." To increase earning potential, Bryant advises to "Pursue a master's degree in a more specific human development related field. Do your research-look for reputable programs in areas with earning potential post-grad." Relevant majors include biology, chemistry, psychology, business, and mechanical engineering. Top schools for researcher education are University of Southern California, Duke University, Harvard University, University of Michigan - Ann Arbor, and Columbia University in the City of New York.

Most common researcher degrees

Bachelor's

Master's

Start to develop specific researcher skills

Complete relevant researcher training and internships, research researcher duties and responsibilities.

Researchers conduct research projects, perform experiments, and analyze data. They develop and use computer programs and statistical models to interpret findings. They also present results in scientific journal-style research papers and presentations. They might utilize fluorescent microscopy, gel electrophoresis, or PCR to study evolutionary patterns of genetically engineered fungi. They can also analyze and interpret data using advanced statistical models in tools like Stata. They might also develop and present literature reviews, posters, and manuscripts related to their research.

• Manage social media publications to spread awareness and notifications on Facebook.
• Perform cellular assays, DNA extractions, PCR, and sequencing to identify cellulase- producing soil bacteria.
• Implement data visualization tools by Java.
• Present research findings to select professors and professionals at scholar conferences.

Prepare your researcher resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your researcher resume.

You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a researcher resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose From 10+ Customizable Researcher Resume templates

Apply for researcher jobs

Now it's time to start searching for a researcher job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

• Browse job boards for relevant postings
• Consult your professional network
• Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
• Watch out for job scams

Are you a Researcher?

Share your story for a free salary report.

Average researcher salary

The average Researcher salary in the United States is $67,145 per year or $32 per hour. Researcher salaries range between $37,000 and $119,000 per year.

What Am I Worth?

How do researchers rate their job?

Based On 1 Ratings

Researcher reviews

You may find it difficult to sell the value of your services to clients if you are unable to convince them that your background and experience have provided you with skills that go beyond run-of-the-mill internet searches. Establishing the business likely will require extensive networking, marketing, and self-promotion to build a client base. You have to be able to objectively evaluate information since not all information found on the internet is accurate. You need to have the skills and knowledge to go beyond basic Google or Bing searches. There are billions of pages of data that popular search engines don't reach, and you need to know how to find that data to be valuable to your clients. You have to be especially careful to avoid plagiarism and know how to cite your sources when gathering information online. You need to understand the different search operators and how to use them to find what you're looking for. You need to know what questions to ask your clients to get a clear understanding of what information they need.

Exploring more about reseaching field by building knowledge in a certain subject of research and growing the wisdom and knowledge.

The struggle of not breaking a certain research topic.

What I like is that,you get to interact with different people from various communities.Relationships are formed in the process

Language barrier can be a problem,because communication needs to be formed in the language that each community you interact with understands.

Researcher FAQs

How long does it take to become a researcher, is a researcher a job, what degree do you need to become a researcher, what does a researcher study, what is the role of a researcher, what qualifications do you need to be a researcher, search for researcher jobs, researcher jobs by state.

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Updated April 25, 2024

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Researcher Related Careers

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• Postdoctoral Scholar
• Research Associate
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Found 270 jobs

Silver endowed chair (developmental psychiatry)(open rank faculty).

• Tampa, Florida
• University of South Florida - Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Neurosciences

The Robert A. Silver Endowed Chair in Developmental Neurobiology leads an internationally recognized, competitively funded research program...

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Staff Scientist - Genetics and Genomics

• Houston, Texas (US)
• Hiring up to $80,000
• Baylor College of Medicine (BCM)

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Research Associate - Brain Cancer

View details Research Associate - Brain Cancer

• 11 days ago
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Research Associate - Genomics

• Hiring up to $70,000

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Postdoctoral Research Associate position at University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center

• Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
• University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center

Postdoctoral Research Associate position at University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center   The Kamiya Mehla lab at the newly established Departmen...

View details Postdoctoral Research Associate position at University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center

• 17 days ago
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Lead Researcher – Department of Bone Marrow Transplantation & Cellular Therapy

• Memphis, Tennessee
• Commensurate with experience
• St. Jude Children's Research Hospital (St. Jude)

View details Lead Researcher – Department of Bone Marrow Transplantation & Cellular Therapy

• 21 days ago
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Researcher in the Center for In Vivo Imaging and Therapy

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Scientist or Lead Researcher (Protein Engineering, Hematology, Shengdar Q. Tsai Lab)

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Lead OR Senior Researcher - Flow Cytometry

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Senior or Lead Researcher - Neurobehavioral Core

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Senior Scientist in Microbial Pathogenesis

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Senior Researcher in Flow Cytometry and Cell Sorting Core

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Lead Researcher or Scientist in Hematology - Wlodarski Lab (Bone Marrow Failure Program)

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Lead Researcher in Flow Cytometry and Cell Sorting Core

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High Throughput Screening Scientist in Chemical Biology & Therapeutics

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Senior Researcher in Compound Management

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Principal Scientist, Structural Biology and Biophysics (Blue Sky Kinases)

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Scientist – Protein Biochemist – Kellogg Lab

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Senior Researcher in Structural Biology – Scott Blanchard Lab

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Lead Researcher - Babu Lab

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7 Strategies for Getting an Entry-Level Clinical Research Job

News December 8, 2020

Kunal Sampat, MNA, ACRP-CP, Host of the Clinical Trial Podcast

Many people applying for entry-level clinical research jobs may begin their journey by enrolling in a certificate program. They invest months or years, not to mention thousands of dollars, toward earning a certificate, yet upon finishing and hitting the job markets, are likely to still be dealing with unresponsive hiring managers who are looking for individuals with two years of experience. (It is important to note here that having a “certificate” in clinical research from some source is not the same as holding “certification” in clinical research—an achievement based on mastery of job roles and solid experience in the field.)

How does one get around such a situation to get that first dream job in clinical research with less hassle, less expense, and more reliable prospects for employment at the end of the process? Presented here are some strategies that can work extremely well for individuals with foreign medical degrees, backgrounds in life sciences or allied health, or experience working in a regulated environment.

1—Gain clarity on your career goals.

  When most people apply for clinical research jobs, they fire up their computer and start applying for open positions. Before applying you should begin your journey by answering the following questions:

• Do you want a paid job or a volunteer opportunity? Is the experience you’ll gain more important, or do you really need a paycheck right away?
• Who do you want to work for? Clinical research is a vast field with different types of companies offering different kinds of job opportunities. You can work for a contract research organization, a sponsor such as pharmaceutical or device company, a clinical research vendor, a regulatory authority such as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration , a nonprofit organization such as a patient advocacy group, an institutional review board, or a study site, to name some of the options.
• What job role are you most interested in? Is there a specific one you’d enjoy more than others? There are many other clinical research opportunities in addition to the clinical research associate (CRA) or clinical research coordinator (CRC) roles. For example, you can work as a data manager, safety monitor, patient recruiter, medical writer, biostatistician, project manager, regulatory compliance manager, or research billing expert.
• Would you enjoy working in the field (traveling or remote work) or in an office environment? Some people enjoy being on the road (and earning frequent flyer points). Others get more energy interacting with people at the office. Most clinical research roles offer the ability to work remotely or in an office setting.
• Are you open to relocating to a different city, state, or country? Entry-level positions may not offer the best pay, so you’ll need to decide if you’d be open to relocating, even if the pay was low.
• Are you looking for full-time, part-time, or contract employment? Depending on your personal circumstances, you may be more interested in a full-time position for the medical benefits or in a part-time role for a better work-life balance. Alternatively, you may be interested to contract opportunities at first and then transition into full-time employment once you have experience under your belt.

Answering these six questions honestly will give you the necessary clarity on which opportunities you should pursue and which ones you shouldn’t.

2—Invest in your clinical research education.

At a minimum, I encourage everyone to become familiar with the tenets of Good Clinical Practice (GCP) early in their job quest. Depending on the type of clinical research organization you decide to work at, your training beyond GCP will differ significantly. For example, training for an oncology pharmaceutical company will be different than training for a cardiology medical device company.

You can watch hundreds of YouTube videos on clinical trials or medical technologies, attend conferences or seminars, and get in-depth software training, but still not have a job in clinical research. Here is what you can do to narrow down your clinical research education priorities:

• Identify the dream role (career opportunity) you’re interested in applying for.
• Read through the job description—specifically, the job requirements.
• Highlight the skills you have little or no knowledge or experience with.
• Look up webinars, YouTube videos, and literature to develop those specific skills (i.e., fill the skill gap).

The above plan won’t make you an expert in those skills, but you will have built confidence in yourself and your ability to speak to these topics during interviews. If you feel you need more training, I encourage you to sign-up for membership with nonprofit professional organizations such as ACRP or SOCRA . Membership gives you access to many training resources; a lot of information is available to you for no additional cost aside from the basic membership fee.

Additionally, with your membership, you end up surrounding yourself with other experienced clinical research professionals via networking with their virtual communities and by attending educational events. You can then reach out to your fellow members for career guidance and make them aware of your interest in working in clinical research.

3—Fix your resume.

Your resume must not read like a job description. Most employers rely on a resume to screen applicants. Unfortunately, if your resume reads like a job description, the hiring manager does not get a clear understanding of your contributions in your current and previous roles. Instead, your resume should reflect your own professional achievements. You want to clearly state the results you achieved in your previous roles and, when possible, you should quantify the results. For example, instead of stating, “Worked in a research lab analyzing preclinical data,” you might want to state, “Analyzed data from two preclinical studies in mice for an Alzheimer’s drug.”

If you feel like your clinical or medical-oriented experiences are limited, focus on transferable skills for the research position you seek. Transferable skills such as financial management, project management, writing, and informational systems management are applicable to clinical research as well.

 4—Focus on 10 job opportunities and always follow up.

Focus on only 10 job applications at a given time. Many applicants apply for multiple jobs every week during their searches. Over the course of a couple of months, they have applied for dozens of jobs, but probably haven’t had a formal interview for any position. Instead of applying for every possible clinical research job as soon as they appear on the radar, I have found that applying for 10 at a given time gives applicants the time and energy to personalize their approach for each position.

Following up with employers is absolutely necessary. Even though hiring is a top priority for many organizations, hiring managers get busy with their day-to-day activities and hiring can take the back seat. By following up with the hiring manager, you’re demonstrating your continued interest in working for the company.

5—Write and speak clearly.

Aside from strong technical skills for many jobs, you may also need to demonstrate above-average written and verbal skills. This is important because clinical research is a cross-functional, team-oriented field. For most roles, you’ll be working in a team environment. When the job description states, “candidate must have excellent communication skills,” the employer wants to ensure you can write and speak clearly.

Many candidates will create a page-long, generic cover letter that repeats everything that can be found in their resume. Such a cover letter fails to show the employer why you’re the right fit for the role. Instead, I recommend applicants write a cover letter with three to five bulleted points that outline the benefits of hiring him or her for the job. The more personalized your cover letter is to a given employer and role, the greater chance you have for being invited for an interview.

Personalized cover letters might make reference to a specific clinical trial the hiring company is running, the company’s therapeutic area(s), and other details that show you’ve done your homework and are engaged in the opportunity to work there.

When it comes to verbal communication, the easiest way to have clarity in your message is to write down the key points you want to discuss on the phone. This forces you to be clear about why the company should hire you and not some other candidate with equivalent credentials.

6—Prepare for your interview.

Once you’ve landed with an interview date, it is time to prepare for the interview, using the following tips:

• Read the “About” and “News” section of the company website. Learn about the company’s clinical and regulatory leadership team. The news section will provide insights from the latest press releases from the company. This will give you an idea of what is on the company’s “mind.” You can also visit ClinicalTrials.gov for more information on the company’s trials, and to get a better understanding of the medical treatments being developed and their targeted patient populations.
• The biggest unknown in any interview is that you do not know what questions the interviewer will ask you. To help focus your answers, I recommend that you come up with a list of five to eight examples from your education or professional experiences that you’re proud of or that taught you something valuable. When possible, limit these to experiences that are medical or clinical in nature. Next you want to create a story around each of these examples that will become a valuable answer to an appropriate question. The best way to create a story is using the STAR format (Situation, Task, Action, and Results). For each of these examples, you want to write down the situation, the task in front of you, the action you took, and the results achieved as a result of your actions.

Once you’ve completed these steps, you’re almost ready for the interview. The last thing you need to do is to appear and sound professional during and after the interview. Be sure you write a personalized “thank you” note after each interview.

7—Have the courage to hear “No.” Remember that you will eventually hear “Yes.”

Many entry-level clinical research applicants lack the courage to hear that, “No, we cannot hire you for this job” from potential employers. It is painful to hear a “No” and rightfully so. Furthermore, most employers do a poor job of providing constructive feedback to applicants they don’t want to hire. Employers don’t want to say “No” to the not-so-great candidates because they fear not finding the “right” candidate for the job; they prefer to have a backup list of candidates in case their preferred candidate doesn’t work out.

This makes it even more important for candidates to encourage employers to make a decision, whether it’s a “Yes” or a “No.” This not only helps the candidate, it also helps employers to move on to other candidates who might be a better fit for the organization.

You don’t need to sign up for an expensive and time-intensive clinical research certificate program to secure an entry-level job in clinical research. Instead, you need to gain clarity around your clinical research career ambitions, learn GCP, invest in your continued education through nonprofits such as ACRP and SOCRA, fix your resume so that it doesn’t read like a job description, focus on 10 open opportunities at a given time, write and speak clearly in all your communications with the potential employer, plan for your interview using the Situation, Task, Action, Results (STAR) format, and embrace rejection if you’re not hired for the role. These strategies, collectively, will increase the odds of your success tremendously and you’ll be on your way to experiencing the joys of working in clinical research and clinical trial management.

by Guest Contributor Kunal Sampat, MNA, ACRP-CP, Host of the Clinical Trial Podcast

BEAVER Method—How to Get a Job in Clinical Research

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Who’s Who in Clinical Research

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The research conducted at google has broadened dramatically, becoming more important to our mission than ever before..

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Google Research in Montreal performs both open-ended and applied research, in numerous areas including reinforcement learning, meta-learning, optimization, program synthesis, generative modeling, machine translation, and more. We also support the local academic community and have several academic collaborations, including with Mila – Quebec Artificial Intelligence Institute.

Our headquarters has come a long way from its humble roots in a Menlo Park garage, but our innovative Silicon Valley spirit is stronger than ever. On our largest campus, we work on cutting-edge products that are changing the way billions of people use technology. Onsite benefits like fitness and wellness centers embody our philosophy that taking care of Googlers is good for all of us. Build team skills with a group cooking class or coffee tasting, ride a gBike to one of our cafés, or work up a sweat in a group class. Here at the Googleplex, we’re looking for innovators, collaborators, and blue-sky thinkers. We’re looking for you.

We work in close collaboration with academia, with a goal to impact both Google’s products and general scientific progress. We accomplish this in two ways: by releasing software libraries, a way to build research findings into products and services, and through publishing our work and sharing our findings with the academic community.

Our team in Pittsburgh conducts research in natural language processing, machine learning, image and video understanding, and optimization, and our impacts range from academic paper publications to software systems used throughout Google. We collaborate closely with research and applied groups in many areas, and also work closely with Carnegie Mellon University and other organizations in the extremely strong computer science community in Pittsburgh.

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Nestled between the Santa Cruz Mountains and the San Francisco Bay, with San Jose to the south, San Francisco to the north, and NASA right next door, you’ll find one of Google’s largest and newest global campuses in Sunnyvale. Here in the heart of the original Silicon Valley innovation is happening everywhere—from our Cloud team developing exciting new products and services, to moving into our latest office spaces which include interconnected building projects, the creation of green spaces connecting campuses with the community, and the creative restoration of local habitats. We love growing in Sunnyvale—and you will too.

We develop novel neural network architectures and learning algorithms, with applications to computer vision, natural language and speech processing, medical image analysis, and computer architecture and software.

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Google Research teams in Accra collaborate with global research teams to lead many sustainability initiatives of particular interest to Africa. We implement theoretical and applied artificial intelligence with a strong focus on machine learning and algorithmic foundations to tackle some global challenges, such as food security, disaster management, remote sensing, among others.

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We work on machine learning, natural language understanding and machine perception, from foundational research to AI innovations, in search, healthcare, and crisis response.

We work on natural language understanding and conversational dialog, text-to-speech, (on-device) machine learning, human-centered AI research and user research as well as healthcare.

We work on problems in quantum computing as well as speech and language processing, and collaborate closely with Google’s product teams across the world.

We tackle big challenges across several fields at the intersection of computer science, statistics and applied mathematics while collaborating closely with a strong academic community.

We solve big challenges in computer science, with a focus on machine learning, natural language understanding, machine perception, algorithms and data compression.

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We are interested in advancing the state of the art and applications in areas like Machine Learning, Natural Language Understanding, Computer Vision, Software Engineering and Multi-agent Systems.

We are interested in advancing the state of the art and applications in areas like machine learning, speech, and natural language processing.

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Careers in research

Join a brilliant team of researchers working to solve technology’s most exciting challenges.

New roles at Microsoft Research

Microsoft Research provides a dynamic environment for research careers with a network of world-class research labs led by globally-recognized research scientists and engineers. Our researchers and engineers pursue innovation in a range of scientific and technical disciplines, to help solve complex challenges in diverse fields, including computing, healthcare, economics, and the environment.

Partner Research Scientist – AI For Good  

Location : Redmond, WA, US

Research Areas : Artificial intelligence | Audio and Acoustics | Computer vision | Ecology and environment | Medical, health and genomics | Social sciences

Type : Research manager

Research Software Engineering II – Microsoft Research & Incubations  

Locations : Brazil; Chile; Colombia; Costa Rica; Mexico; Puerto Rico; Remote

Research Areas : Artificial intelligence | Programming languages and software engineering | Search and information retrieval

Type : Research engineer

Senior Data Scientist – Azure Core Product Management team  

Location : Romania

Research Areas : Artificial intelligence | Data platforms and analytics | Systems and networking

Type : Data scientist

Principal Data Scientist – Core Search  

Location : Beijing, China

Research Areas : Artificial intelligence | Data platforms and analytics | Search and information retrieval

Research Manager – Machine Learning – Microsoft Research AI Frontiers  

Research Area : Artificial intelligence

Researcher  

Research Areas : Algorithms | Artificial intelligence | Computer vision | Human language technologies

Type : Researcher

About our roles

Research internships.

Research interns put inquiry and theory into practice. Alongside fellow doctoral candidates and some of the world’s best researchers, interns learn, collaborate, and network for life. Interns not only advance their careers but also contribute to exciting research and development strides. During the 12-week internship, students are paired with mentors and expected to collaborate with other interns and researchers, present findings, and contribute to the vibrant life of the community. Internships are available virtually, at our locations around the world, and in all areas of research. During the application process, we’ll work with you to find the opportunity that best aligns with your interests. Internships are offered year-round, though they typically begin in the summer. All internships are paid. We’ll also help with visa applications where needed.

Postdoctoral researcher positions

Microsoft Research provides a vibrant research environment, with an open publications policy and close links to top academic institutions across the world. Postdoctoral researcher positions provide an opportunity to develop your research career and to interact with some of the top minds in the research community, with the potential to have your research realized in products and services that will be used worldwide. Postdoc researchers are expected to demonstrate both independence in defining their own research strategy within a domain as well as an ability to drive forward an effective program of research. Postdoc researchers receive a competitive salary and benefits package and are eligible for relocation expenses. Our Postdoc positions are typically for a one-year or two-year fixed-term appointment.

Full-time academic research positions

Microsoft research teams are built with the world’s best researchers, engineers, program managers and designers who work together to seek innovative solutions to the world’s toughest challenges and improve the lives of people everywhere. We seek research candidates with PhDs and a proven track record of published papers and participation on program committees and editorial boards for our academic research positions. Microsoft Research has lab locations around the world and provides a collaborative, supportive and open academic environment.

Working at Microsoft Research

Our culture, your future.

Microsoft Research offers an exhilarating and supportive environment for both theoretical and empirical cutting-edge multidisciplinary research, with access to an extraordinary diversity of big and small data sources, an open publications policy, and close links to top academic institutions around the world.

We need your passion for science and your commitment to working on world-class research projects.

To help the researchers with their projects and unleash their full potential, we provide an open interdisciplinary research atmosphere with sufficient computational resources. Worldwide collaborations within Microsoft and with other institutes are encouraged and supported.

As a researcher, you have the opportunity to create and pursue a research agenda with our group’s diverse array of researchers and practitioners, as well as contribute to ongoing research projects.

Our researcher community

Here are just a few of the people doing research at Microsoft in a vast array of disciplines and roles. Learn more about the people who make it all possible.

We are committed to building an inclusive, diverse, and pluralistic research environment and strongly encourage applications from women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, veterans, as well as students with non-traditional backgrounds. We work collectively to make Microsoft Research a welcoming and productive space for all researchers.

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.

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Research labs

“Over the coming decade, deep learning looks set to have a transformational impact on the natural sciences. The consequences are potentially far-reaching and could dramatically improve our ability to model and predict natural phenomena over widely varying scales of space and time. Our AI4Science team encompasses world experts in machine learning, quantum physics, computational chemistry, molecular biology, fluid dynamics, software engineering, and other disciplines, who are working together to tackle some of the most pressing challenges in this field.“ Professor Chris Bishop , Technical Fellow and Director, Microsoft Research AI4Science

AI Frontiers

At AI Frontiers, our mission is to revolutionize our understanding of intelligence by pushing the boundaries of AI. We strive to achieve this by continuously exploring and innovating current architectures and learning signals, unlocking new possibilities and shaping the future of AI.

Microsoft Research Asia (MSR Asia), based in Beijing and Shanghai, is Microsoft’s largest research institute outside the United States. Founded in 1998, MSR Asia has grown into a world-class research lab, with more than 300 scientists and engineers and conducts research in: natural user interface, artificial intelligence, cloud and edge computing, big data and knowledge mining, computer science fundamentals, intelligent multimedia, and computational science.

Cambridge Lab

“At Microsoft Research in Cambridge, our mission is to transform the world through deep research. We do this by working together in an interdisciplinary way, in close collaboration with the broader Microsoft business, to ensure that we are designing robust and trusted technologies to empower millions of people worldwide. To truly understand how we can empower others, we need to put the people at the centre of what we do. I am proud to be part of a team who is so enthusiastically committed to exploring and pushing the boundaries for the benefit of our society.” Abigail Sellen , Distinguished Scientist and Lab Director, Microsoft Research Cambridge

Health Futures

Microsoft Health Futures is focused on empowering every person on the planet to live a healthier future. To this end, we are responsible for research, incubations, and moonshots that drive cross-company strategy, partnerships, and real-world impact across healthcare and the life sciences. We are a global, inclusive, and diverse crew of researchers, scientists, engineers, biotechnologists, designers, social scientists, strategists, healthcare experts, and medical professionals.

Microsoft Research India brings together scientists, researchers, and engineers with backgrounds in algorithms, machine learning and AI, systems and socio-technical systems that empower marginalized populations. The lab also includes a  Center for Societal impact through Cloud and Artificial Intelligence  (SCAI) that focuses on creating, nurturing and deploying technologies that will have large scale impact on society through deep collaborations with academic groups, startups, NGOs and other organizations that share our passion for positively impacting society through technology.

Montréal Lab

The Microsoft Research Montréal lab strives to build machines that learn from and understand the world by bringing together researchers in the machine learning, reinforcement learning, and FATE (fairness accountability, transparency and ethics in AI) research areas. With a focus on advancing the state-of-the-art in deep learning, the lab’s researchers accelerate research breakthroughs across both existing and new models to advance state-of-the-art deep learning that has a positive impact on society.

New England Lab

Microsoft Research New England (MSR-NE) was founded in July 2008 in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The New England lab builds on Microsoft’s commitment to collaborate with the broader research community and pursues new, interdisciplinary areas of research that bring together core computer scientists and social scientists to understand, model, and enable computing and online experiences of the future.

New York City Lab

Researchers at this lab work together with others in Microsoft Research and in academia to advance the state of the art in social science, both computational and behavioral, computational economics and prediction markets, machine learning, as well as information retrieval. Along with helping to answer big data questions, their research will help us to understand economic and political predictions for understanding online human behavior. This research along with their study of social sciences will help to inform the technology of the future.

Redmond Lab

“Microsoft Research is doing foundational research, pursuing ambitious disruptions, and performing high-impact tech transfer. We want to create a better future for Microsoft and society through research.” Johannes Gehrke , Technical Fellow

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How to Become a Research Psychologist

Kendra Cherry, MS, is a psychosocial rehabilitation specialist, psychology educator, and author of the "Everything Psychology Book."

Emily is a board-certified science editor who has worked with top digital publishing brands like Voices for Biodiversity, Study.com, GoodTherapy, Vox, and Verywell.

Why Become a Research Psychologist

What do research psychologists do, where do research psychologists work, research psychology careers.

What do you do if you love psychology but have no interest in working in mental health? Fortunately, psychology is a very diverse field, and there are plenty of opportunities. One that you might consider is becoming a research psychologist.

Consider the following question from a reader:

" I love psychology, which is why I'm currently working on my bachelor's degree in psychology. I don't want to work in mental health, so my ultimate plan is to become a researcher. While I know that this means I will probably need to go to graduate school, I'm not quite sure exactly where to begin. What type of psychology degree do I need if I want to work in research?"

At a Glance

What do you do if you love psychology but don't want to become a therapist or work in mental health? You might consider becoming a research psychologist. These professionals conduct research and may work in various settings, including universities, research labs, the military, government agencies, and private businesses.

This scenario is not at all uncommon in psychology. Many students love the subject, yet are not at all interested in working in mental health settings. Experimental fields are great options for people who are fascinated by psychology and enjoy performing research.

As a psychology student , you've probably already gotten a taste of just how diverse the field can be. This can be a great thing because it allows for so many different career paths and options, but it can also be confusing for students as they struggle to select an educational path.

Just like many other areas of psychology , becoming a research psychologist is not a "one size fits all" career. There are actually many different degrees that you could potentially pursue.

Start by taking into account what type of research you want to perform and what specific topics interest you the most.

In order to decide if this field is right for you, it is important to first understand exactly what these professionals do:

• Also known as experimental psychologists , research psychologists study a broad range of human and animal behavior.
• They design and conduct experiments exploring how people act, think, behave, interact, learn, feel, and perform under different conditions.
• They also design studies and evaluate research for flaws and bias.
• This can encompass an enormous range of topics, including memory , attention, cognition, decision-making, perception, and just about any psychological topic you can think of!

If you enjoy research and still want to work in mental health, there are also mental health professionals who perform research and conduct studies in clinical settings.

Educational backgrounds and requirements for experimental psychologists can vary depending upon where you want to work.

In most cases, you will start by earning a bachelor's degree in psychology. Some students may then choose to earn a master's, but many will go on to receive a doctorate degree.

Bachelor's Degree

Many students interested in becoming research psychologists begin with a bachelor's in psychology . However, some come from a background in a related area such as social work or even from an entirely unrelated degree area altogether.

Remember, it is possible to switch to psychology for graduate school , even if your undergraduate degree is in an unrelated subject.

Master's Degree

In some cases, students might then choose to pursue a master's degree in experimental psychology. However, it is important to note that job opportunities are generally more limited with a master's degree, which is why many opt to instead go on to earn a doctorate degree in psychology .

Doctorate Degree

While you might think you are limited to earning a PhD in experimental psychology, there are actually many different options that you might opt to pursue.

For example, if you are interested in studying the human brain, you might earn a degree focused on neuropsychology. Have an active interest in social behavior? Then, you might want to consider a doctorate in social psychology .

How to Get Started

While you might not be exactly sure about what specialty you want to pursue, you can now do plenty of things to prepare for your future as a research psychologist . Start by taking as many undergraduate courses in research methods , statistics , and experimental design as possible.

Sign up for research opportunities through your school's psychology department and consider signing up as a research assistant. It's a great way to gain valuable experience while earning college credits.

As you can see, research is something that plays a significant role in virtually every field of psychology . Your goal now is to determine which particular specialty area interests you the most and exactly where you might want to work someday.

Research psychologists are employed in a wide range of sectors, including private research firms, universities, corporations, the military, and government agencies.

So what kind of jobs will you be able to get as a research psychologist? While there are many different options, a few that you might consider include:

College Professor

Many research psychologists work at colleges and universities, teaching undergraduate and graduate students and conducting research.

Research Analyst

A research analyst evaluates data that has been collected. This career involves performing statistical analyses and managing data to ensure it is collected, recorded, and analyzed properly.

Research Scientist

A research scientist conducted grant-funded research. They are often the lead investigators of a study and are responsible for hiring assistants, managing projects, designing experiments, writing journal articles, and sharing the results of their experiments.

If you enjoy research and aren't interested in working in the field of mental health, a career as a research psychologist might be a great choice for you. To enter this field, you should focus on earning an undergraduate degree in psychology before going to graduate school to get your doctorate. Taking coursework in statistics and research methodology can help, but you should also take advantage of any opportunity to participate in research.

Bishop DV. The psychology of experimental psychologists: Overcoming cognitive constraints to improve research: The 47th Sir Frederic Bartlett Lecture .  Q J Exp Psychol (Hove) . 2020;73(1):1-19. doi:10.1177/1747021819886519

Smith KV, Thew GR. Conducting research in clinical psychology practice: Barriers, facilitators, and recommendations .  Br J Clin Psychol . 2017;56(3):347-356. doi:10.1111/bjc.12142

Scholtz SE, de Klerk W, de Beer LT. The use of research methods in psychological research: A systematised review .  Front Res Metr Anal . 2020;5:1. doi:10.3389/frma.2020.00001

American Psychological Association.  Pursuing a Career in Experimental Psychology . Updated March 2014.

The Princeton Review.  Experimental Psychology .

By Kendra Cherry, MSEd Kendra Cherry, MS, is a psychosocial rehabilitation specialist, psychology educator, and author of the "Everything Psychology Book."

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Your Career Doesn’t Need to Have a Purpose

• Stephen Friedman

Focus on making your work meaningful instead.

Outside of popular anecdotes and social media stories, there is little evidence that a single, defined “purpose” is necessary for a rewarding career. In fact, it can be quite the opposite. It’s surprisingly common to go after what we think is our purpose only to discover that we hate it. Instead, shift your focus from “purpose” to “meaning.” Ask yourself:

• What do I like, prefer, or enjoy doing? Let go of yearning for a career purpose. Dial it back and consider what you liked about any of your previous jobs, school projects or other ways you spend your time. Perhaps you liked helping your peers organize their work or enjoyed researching sources for group projects. Or maybe you liked working on a team than alone. Use that as a starting point. 
• What am I good at? Early on in your career, you will have many bourgeoning skills. These are skills that you are good at now and can get even better at with more practice. Think about stuff you are progressively getting better at. Getting to use and improve skills that you’re already good will energize you, and provide you with a feeling of recognition and usefulness.
• Would this role provide growth and learning that I can use later? Research shows that what scholars call “ability development” (i.e. getting better at what you do) brings with it greater happiness, satisfaction, and meaning.

As an organizational studies professor at the Schulich School of Business in Toronto, Canada, I get the opportunity to help my students with various aspects of their career development. In the process, I’ve noticed two common threads. First, most of my students are not only eager to enter the world of work, but also to be excellent at what they do. Second, they want their post-graduation job to be loaded with purpose .

• Stephen Friedman is an Adjunct Professor of Organizational Studies and a Senior Faculty of Executive Education, at The Schulich School of Business, York University in Toronto. He teaches and writes about leadership development, organizational behavior, complexity science, career development, human resource management, workplace inclusion, and mental health.

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Many in Gen Z ditch colleges for trade schools. Meet the 'toolbelt generation'

Windsor Johnston

Sy Kirby dreaded the thought of going to college after graduating from high school. He says a four-year degree just wasn't in the cards for him or his bank account.

"I was facing a lot of pressure for a guy that knew for a fact that he wasn't going to college," Kirby says. "I knew I wasn't going to sit in a classroom, especially since I knew I wasn't going to pay for it."

Instead, at the age of 19, Kirby took a job at a local water department in southern Arkansas. He said the position helped him to develop the skills that helped him start his own construction company.

Sy Kirby, who runs his own construction company, says a four-year degree just wasn't in the cards for him or his bank account. Will Anderson hide caption

Sy Kirby, who runs his own construction company, says a four-year degree just wasn't in the cards for him or his bank account.

Now at age 32, Kirby finds himself mentoring many of his employees, who also opted to learn a skilled trade rather than shelling out tens of thousands of dollars to pursue a degree that they wouldn't use after graduating.

Kirby says blue-collar work is lucrative and allows him to "call the shots" in his life. But, he says the job also comes with a downside, mainly because of the stigma attached to the industry.

"I think there's a big problem with moms and dads coming home from quote-unquote 'dirty' jobs. Coming home with dirty clothes and sweating. You had a hard day's work and sometimes that's looked down upon," he says.

High-paying jobs that don't need a college degree? Thousands of them sit empty

Kirby is among the growing number of young people who have chosen to swap college for vocational schools that offer paid, on-the-job training.

Skilled trades make a comeback

Lisa Countryman-Quiroz is the CEO of JVS, or Jewish Vocational Service, a nonprofit in San Francisco that provides career training for unemployed workers to find jobs, including in skilled trades. She says that over the years there has been a shift — with skilled trade making a comeback, especially among members of Generation Z.

"Folks have really prioritized a college education as a path to the middle class and a path to a cushy office job." But, Countryman-Quiroz says, "over the last 10 to 15 years, we are seeing a trend among young people opting out of universities. Just the crushing debt of college is becoming a barrier in and of itself."

More than half of Gen Zers say it's possible to get a well-paying job with only a high school diploma, provided one acquires other skills. That's according to a survey by New America, a Washington Think Tank that focuses on a range of public policy issues, including technology, education and the economy.

The driver of the big rig one lane over might soon be one of these teenagers

The high cost of college prompts a change in career paths.

In addition, the Education Data Initiative says the average cost of college in the United States has more than doubled in the 21st century.

With that price tag increasing, many Gen Zers say they've been left with no choice but to leave the college path. Many say living with their parents until they can pay off their college debt isn't an option.

The Indicator from Planet Money

Do i need a four-year degree.

Nitzan Pelman is founder of Climb Hire, a company that helps low-income and overlooked people break into new careers. She says many young people say graduating from college with a six-figure debt is a non-starter.

"It's not a secret that the cost of college has gone up so dramatically in the last decade that it's really cost prohibitive at this point," she says.

Pelman says pursuing skilled trades can also help "level the playing field," especially for young people from less-privileged backgrounds and for people of color.

Construction boom helps fuel job gains in March

"We don't see a lot of Black men in construction, but more Latino men in construction and you don't see many women in construction. Social capital is a really big gatekeeper and a door-opener for accessing high-quality jobs and helping people break into certain industries," she says.

In 2021, President Biden signed a $1.2 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill. Since then, he's been traveling the country promoting the law, which he says will open up thousands of new jobs in trades.

Comparing college costs to the amount a student expects to earn after graduation

"you can expect to get your hands dirty and that's ok".

The high cost of college isn't the only factor driving many young people toward skilled trades. With the use of artificial intelligence on the rise, many Gen Zers see manual labor as less vulnerable to the emerging technology than white-collar alternatives. They also say vocational schools are a straight path to well-paying jobs.

Pelman says increasing salaries and new technologies in fields such as welding, plumbing and machine tooling are giving trade professions a face-lift, making them more appealing to the younger crowd.

"There are a lot of vocational jobs out there that are pretty attractive — HVAC repair and installation, electricians, solar panel installer — there's so much demand for wind turbine installers who, in many cases, make more than $100,000 a year — so there's a lot of demand for manual labor," she stresses.

Diego Aguilar works at a trade center at East Bay Municipal Utility District in Oakland, Calif. Marla Aufmuth/JVS hide caption

Diego Aguilar works at a trade center at East Bay Municipal Utility District in Oakland, Calif.

That was the case for 25-year-old Diego Aguilar, who says a traditional desk job was out of the question for him. Aguilar now works full time at a trade center at East Bay Municipal Utility District in Oakland, Calif., after going through the JVS training program.

"When I went into a trade program I learned how much money I could make performing a very specific kind of work. You need mechanics, you need machinists, you need carpenters, operators you need painters. You can expect to get your hands dirty and that's OK," Aguilar says.

Jobs Friday: Why apprenticeships could make a comeback

Data from the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center shows the number of students enrolled in vocational-focused community colleges increased 16% from 2022 to 2023.

As for Kirby, he says his mission is to keep raising awareness about what he calls the "toolbelt generation."

"Where they can walk out of the school of hard knocks, pick an industry, work your 10 years, take your punches, take your licks and hopefully you're bringing jobs and careers back to the community," he says.

When asked if he regrets his decision to go into skilled trades, Kirby chuckles. "Not for a second," he says.

More From Forbes

How to make an impact in the first 90 days of your new job.

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Woman Starting a new job

Starting a new job? Congratulations! Though I know it can be both exciting and challenging. That's why the first 90 days are critical. During this time, you'll have the chance to learn, build relationships, and demonstrate your value to your new team. This is an excellent opportunity for you to create a lasting impression and lay the foundation for success in the company. While most people know this already, few know how to do it right.

Research suggests that an employee's performance, longevity, and contribution to the company can be determined by their first 90 days. However, this doesn't mean you should try to do everything in the first week. Take the time to understand the company's values, mission, and culture. Pay attention to how things are done and adapt your approach accordingly. Prioritize the tasks that will have the most significant impact on your first 90 days.

Here are some key strategies to help you make a significant impact during this critical period:

1) Clarify Expectations

Meet with your manager early on to clarify expectations for your role. Discuss goals, responsibilities, and key performance indicators (KPIs). This will help you prioritize your tasks and focus on what matters most to the organization. The main things to discuss according to Harvard Business Review experts include finding the what, why and how:

• What do you plan to do to learn your new role and contribute?
• Why are you structuring your approach in this way?
• How will you execute this plan to make progress?

Your Best Look Yet At The New iPhone 16

Hundreds of russian troops gathered out in the open they didn t know the ukrainians had aimed four atacms rockets at them, the richest person in every state 2024, 2) build relationships.

To achieve success, it is important to identify the stakeholders you need to meet and interview. Invest time in building relationships with them. These stakeholders could be your colleagues, both within and outside your team. You should also reach out to customers and learn more about what they wish they could change. You could even try to sell the product yourself. Be proactive and introduce yourself, ask questions, and show genuine interest in getting to know others. Networking internally can lead to valuable collaborations and support when you need buy-in. When you engage with stakeholders, listen actively, ask clarifying questions, and ensure that you understand their expectations and feedback.

3) Document Your Findings

It's important to take the initiative and look for opportunities to improve your work or start new projects that align with the company's goals. After meeting with colleagues or clients, try to identify key themes from what you heard and didn't hear. Be aware of any inconsistencies that might require clarification. You could consider designing a report or SWOT analysis for the company, with a focus on the aspects that you can work on in your role. “You can provide almost instant value—and make a positive first impression—by offering the insights gleaned during the onboarding process. The company can benefit from your fresh eyes and new perspective” says Matt Spielman with Harvard Business Review .

4) Get Feedback and Plan

After conducting your research, it is recommended that you share your findings with your manager or colleagues. Together, define the next steps to take and commit to continuous learning throughout the process. When presenting an idea, try to see things from their perspective, especially if it is not well received. Be adaptable and flexible when navigating organizational challenges and changes. To track progress and identify areas for improvement, request regular check-ins with your manager. Additionally, feel free to ask how you can better contribute to the team and organization. Build trust through feedback.

5) Look for the low-hanging fruit

Look for quick wins, low-effort, high-impact changes. You may think it's too obvious, but they may not be seeing it from the inside.

Kyle Poyar interviewed executives and recommends some of the following:

• Audit the funnel, looking for the low-hanging fruit: Look for opportunities that challenge their assumptions.
• Test a new call to action: Identify the highest point of leverage where there’s a drop-off in the funnel
• Get rid of meetings: review actual meetings and check if you can stick to just a few rituals.
• Send a Weekly update: sending regular written observations and kudos can help you scale your visibility more quickly.

6) Prioritize

It is OK to want to make a positive first impression, but it is better to go slow and steady to do every step intentionally. Learning new processes, and cultural traits and meeting new people can be overwhelming. Make sure you are organized and have time to prepare for the meetings you set. Check if the company offers access to or pays for any time-management app that can help you sync your work with your team.

By following these strategies, you can make a meaningful impact in the first 90 days of your new job and set yourself up for long-term success and growth within the organization. Remember to stay focused, proactive, adaptable and more importantly, organized, as you navigate this critical period in your career journey.

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A woman said her tattoos got her rejected for a job, but experts say personality is far more important

• A tattooed content creator sparked a debate about hiring biases after being rejected by T.J. Maxx.
• Experts said tattoos could influence hiring decisions, especially in customer-facing roles.
• But overall, personality and cultural fit are more important, they said.

A TikToker, Ash Putnam, was frustrated after T.J. Maxx denied her application — and she said she thought her tattoos were to blame.

Some of her designs that are visible when she's dressed are a skull with horns on her neck, solid black patches on her arms, and a pattern on her forehead. Putnam, 23, also has multiple facial piercings , including a large silver ring hanging from her septum.

"I hate that my tattoos are such a defining factor for me getting a job or not," she said in a recent TikTok. "Just because I have tattoos doesn't mean I'm not going to be a good worker."

Putnam, from California, said she went into the store to ask why she hadn't gotten the job and that the hiring manager told her she didn't have enough experience. The hiring manager also denied that her tattoos played any role in the rejection, she said. T.J. Maxx did not respond to a request for comment.

She wasn't convinced and took to TikTok to complain. Many commentators claimed her attitude may have been to blame, rather than her tattoos. Others said they thought her body art likely played a role in the rejection.

While the jury is out over whether tattoos can damage your prospects of being hired, experts told BI that the personality of a candidate was likely more important for recruiters.

Putnam's story went viral

Putnam's video amassed 7.4 million views, and it struck a nerve.

"HR supervisor here," one person commented. "There is no way any company would put you in front of customers like T.J. Maxx."

Another commenter, who said they used to be a hiring manager for the store, said: "I will tell you it's the facial piercings and tattoos."

@ashxobrien I want to know who is also having a hard time finding a job right now! #jobs #jobmarket ♬ original sound - Ash🖤

Some fellow content creators criticized Putnam's approach.

Ivy Johnson, for example, who also has many tattoos, said she worked in corporate America as a hiring manager before starting her apothecary business.

"Your tattoos are very aggressive," she said. With customer-facing positions, she said, "that doesn't always go over well."

Johnson said she also thought Putnam had "a really bad attitude."

"If you had come into my business after an interview, or even applying and chatting on the phone, even if I didn't even know that you're a heavily tattooed person, I'd be like, 'Yo, bye, there's the door,'" she said.

Related stories

"You have to put your best foot forward in an interviewing circumstance, no matter what you do, what you're applying for, or what you look like," she added.

@svvampfae #stitch with @Ash🖤 #heavilytattooed #tattoo #facetattoo #hiring #jobtips #job ♬ original sound - svvampfae

It depends on the role

Almost one-third (32%) of US workers in a 2023 Pew Research Center survey said they had a tattoo, and 22% said they had more than one.

Some studies have suggested that tattoos can affect someone's career progression. In a 2018 LinkedIn survey, 40% of respondents said they had rejected a candidate for a job because they had a visible tattoo. Eighty-eight percent of recruiters and human-resources professionals who responded said they thought tattoos limited a candidate's prospects.

However, research from the University of Miami that same year found tattooed job seekers were no less likely to be employed than those without.

The stigma of tattoos is lessening every day, with many employers no longer having an issue with hiring tattooed employees, according to Indeed .

There may still be a line, though, and some of Putnam's viewers argued that she crossed it. Putnam declined to comment for this article, but she told the UK publication The Daily Star : "I am not going to change who I am for minimum-wage jobs."

Adam Collins, the founder and CEO of Ignite SEO, told BI that as someone who hired people to work at his company, he thought "tattoos can make a big impact on how a candidate is perceived."

"I wouldn't say that tattoos make or break an interview because it depends on the role," he said. "A candidate applying to be an account manager for our clients and is supposed to speak to our clients directly should definitely appear trustworthy and clean-cut, so face and neck tattoos would affect that."

On the other hand, with someone who isn't directly working with clients, appearance is less important.

In technical and operational roles, for example, "it's not a big deal," Collins said.

Michelle Enjoli, a career coach, told BI the visibility and type of tattoos someone has could make a difference.

"Tattoos are personal and typically represent something for that person," she said. "People represent companies, and therefore if a tattoo represents something that a company would not want to be associated with, it can definitely be an issue for a hiring manager."

How likely it is that a tattoo will determine the course of an interview depends on how visible they are and what they may represent, Enjoli added. Tattoos are nowhere near as much of a taboo as they used to be, but some people still hold judgment over them.

In Putnam's case, her tattoos were considered extreme, Enjoli said, and "seemed to be a big part of her identity."

"In other cases, where someone might have a smaller tattoo on their arm or visible area, it might not matter as much as it is less obvious," Enjoli said.

"I think a company demanding that an employee not have any tattoos regardless of visibility or meaning is definitely outdated as they have become a big part of the modern culture."

Personality matters more

Justina Raskauskiene, the HR team lead at Omnisend, told BI as tattoos had become more common, it's likely recruiters and hiring managers barely paid attention to them "unless they are offensive or distracting."

"Sometimes hiring managers may even prefer an employee with a tattoo because it can be evidence of an interesting personality," Raskauskiene said.

"Discriminating against those people would mean missing out on some talented people in the industry."

Rachel Pelta, a hiring expert who is the head writer at the virtual-work-experience platform Forage, told BI that overall, hiring managers were looking at skills and abilities.

"The thing is, everyone who's interviewing probably has the skills and abilities I'm looking for," she said. "So then it comes down to, how well are you selling yourself in the interview? Are you making the case for why you're the best person for the role? If you're not doing that, you won't get the job."

As for tattoos, piercings, or anything else that could be considered unusual, such as bright hair colors, hiring managers "shouldn't evaluate a candidate on their appearance," Pelta added.

But some companies are traditional or conservative, and for them, these things could be a "big deal."

"Unless you're willing to cover or remove them, you'll have to keep searching until you find a company that accepts you as you," she said. "And they are out there. It just may take you a bit longer to find one."

Watch: I got faux freckles tattooed

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Money latest: Billie Eilish fans furious at 'outrageous' ticket prices

Billie Eilish fans are complaining about "outrageous" ticket prices for her Hit Me Hard and Soft tour. Read this and all the latest consumer and personal finance news below, plus leave a comment in the box.

Thursday 2 May 2024 20:01, UK

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• OECD warns UK shouldn't cut interest rates yet
• UK ranks bottom in G7 economic growth forecast
• 'Outrageous': Billie Eilish fans complain about ticket prices
• Aldi's market share falls as people head back to traditional supermarkets (except one)
• New ISA rules were supposed to help savers - right now they've just made everything more complicated

Essential reads

• How to nab yourself a free upgrade on a flight
• You're probably washing and storing your clothes wrong. Here's what you should do instead
• Money Problem : 'Builders won't repair dodgy work - what are my rights?'
• '£2,000 landed in my account' - The people who say they're manifesting riches

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Pint-sized bottles of wine will be allowed on UK shelves from autumn under new post-Brexit trade rules - although doubts have been raised over their demand.

Seven changes to pre-packaged wine sizes are due to come into force on 19 September.

The move to introduce the 568ml size of wine, to sit alongside 200ml and 500ml measures already available, was announced in December and hailed by ministers as a Brexit "freedom".

Pint bottles of Champagne were sold in the UK before Britain joined the European Common Market and were on shelves until 1973.

Read more here ...

JD Sports has told head office staff they must return to the office at least four days a week .

The new amendment to the hybrid working policy will be effective from 1 July and will impact employees at the retail chain's head office in Bury, Retail Gazette reports.

However, the chain will still allow flexibly depending on individual roles.

Pubs could stay open late during the Euros this summer, according to The Sun .

Home Secretary James Cleverly hinted he was looking into extending pub opening hours for the tournament on The Sun show Never Mind The Ballots.

He said: "I will certainly look into it."

We've been bringing you news of plenty of bank switch deals offering free cash these past few months, but Virgin Money has a different kind of incentive for switchers - a 12% interest rate. 

People who switch to its M Account, M Plus Account or Club M Account will be able to get bonus interest rates of 10% gross/10.47% AER (fixed). 

This is on top of the 2% gross/2.02% AER (variable) interest rate already offered on current account balances up to £1,000 - meaning customers can get an interest rate of 12%. 

No other savings accounts offer interest rates this high, and the bonus applies for a year.

TikTok will restore millions of songs to its app after settling a royalty dispute with Universal Music Group. 

Users had been unable to make videos featuring songs from the likes of Billie Eilish and Ariana Grande due to a row over how much TikTok was paying. 

The fight had led to Universal withdrawing music from some of the world's most famous singers. 

The dispute appears to have been settled as the companies announced "improved remuneration" for artists.

More than 10,500 black cab drivers in London have launched a £250m legal case against Uber. 

They accuse the app of breaking the capital's taxi booking rules and deliberately misleading authorities to secure a licence. 

Transport for London (TfL) rules state drivers cannot take bookings directly from customers and must instead use a centralised system. 

The drivers, who are being advised by law firm Mishcon de Reya, argue they have faced unfair competition from Uber and that it knowingly broke these rules. 

Uber has denied these allegations and said the claims are unfounded.

The company has faced numerous challenges in London, including refusals from TfL to renew its licence which were later successfully appealed. 

Billie Eilish fans are complaining about "outrageous" ticket prices for her Hit Me Hard and Soft tour.

The 22-year-old singer unveiled an 81-date tour programme this week, sending fans rushing to secure tickets.

But some expressed disbelief on social media at the prices.

"I know I moan about this all the time, but look at the price of Billie Eilish tickets," one fan called Marianne wrote on X, sharing a screenshot of seated tickets priced at £398.50. 

"Something seriously needs to be done about ticket prices, it's f*****g outrageous!" 

Another complained they had paid less for Taylor Swift's Eras Tour, which was also criticised for high ticket prices.

A fan called Liv tagged Eilish, Live Nation and Ticketmaster, writing: "Are you ok? £145 for standing tickets is atrocious."

Thousands of people who receive government benefits, including Universal Credit, will be paid as early as tomorrow.

This is because there's a bank holiday coming up on 6 May which will affect benefits paid by both the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and HMRC (they don't pay benefits on bank holidays).

A statement on the government website reads: "If your payment date is on a weekend or a bank holiday you'll usually be paid on the working day before. This may be different for tax credits and child benefit."

Here are the 11 different government benefits that are expected to be paid early:

• Universal credit;
• State Pension;
• Pension Credit;
• Disability Living Allowance;
• Attendance Allowance;
• Carer's Allowance;
• Child Benefit;
• Income Support;
• Jobseekers Allowance;
• Personal Independence Payment;
• Tax credits (such as Working Tax Credit)

Will your benefit payment change?

No, you'll be paid the same amount you usually receive.

Benefits are usually paid straight into your bank, building society or credit account.

Goldman Sachs is removing a cap on bonuses for London-based staff, paving the way for it to resume making multimillion pound payouts to its best-performing traders and dealmakers.

Sky News can exclusively reveal the Wall Street banking giant notified its UK employees today that it had decided to abolish the existing pay ratio imposed under European Union rules and which the government recently decided to scrap.

In a video message to staff, Richard Gnodde, chief executive of Goldman Sachs International, which comprises its operations outside the US, said it had decided to bring its remuneration policy in Britain in line with its operations elsewhere in the world.

"We are a global firm and to the extent possible we adopt a consistent global approach across everything we do," Mr Gnodde said in the message, which has been relayed to Sky News.

"The bonus cap rules were an important factor preventing us from being consistent in the area of compensation."

Aldi's market share has fallen - as people seemingly head back to traditional supermarkets for their shopping.

Aldi's share of the grocery market slipped from 10.8% to 10.4% in the 12 weeks to 20 April.

NIQ data shows sales rose just 1.3% in the period - for Morrisons it was 4.4%, Tesco 5.8% and Sainsbury's 6.6%.

Asda was the laggard with sales falling 0.9%.

Ocado is the fastest growing retailer with sales up 12%.

Aldi's rival discounter, Lidl, saw sales surge 9.5%, bumping its market share up to 8.2%. Media campaigns highlighting new ranges helped, NIQ said.

A Santander online outage is affecting thousands of UK customers.

Over 2,000 reports have been made on Downdetector - indicting the issue is widespread.

Customers have been met with messages like this...

Santander wrote on X: "We are aware some customers are experiencing issues accessing online services, we apologise for any inconvenience this has caused.

"We're working hard to resolve this as soon as possible."

Following on from our previous post, and the OECD also says the UK will grow more slowly next year than any other major advanced economy.

It puts this down to stealth taxes and high interest rates squeezing the economy.

The organisation, which is based in Paris, downgraded its forecasts for GDP to 0.4% this year and 1% in 2025.

In February, the UK had been in the middle of the rankings with forecast growth of 0.7% this year and 1.2% next.

The OECD pointed to the fact "tax receipts keep rising towards historic highs" - with National Insurance cuts not offsetting the additional burden Britons are feeling due to tax thresholds not rising along with inflation due to a government freeze.

Some good news is expected for UK workers as the OECD said there will be "stronger" wage growth when inflation is factored in against pay.

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