PhD Research Intern: NLP Researcher – MSR Africa, Nairobi

2 days ago

Nairobi, Nairobi Area, Kenya Microsoft Full time 900,000 - 1,200,000 per year

We are currently inviting applications for an internship position focused on building an agentic system for cultural tailoring of multi-modal content for the African Health Stories project. Africa Health Stories is a collaborative project between Microsoft Research and Stellenbosch University, the University of Pretoria and Swansea University to create a story generation tool which produces interactive visual, oral, and text stories enabling patients to better understand how to apply health advice to their local circumstances.

This role presents a unique opportunity to contribute to the development of Machine Learning (ML) and Image Generation technologies that are culturally and linguistically grounded in the African context.

Responsibilities
Key Responsibilities:

  • Participate in the African Health Stories project focused on leveraging generative AI to produce multi-modal content which is medically accurate and culturally appropriate to help patients living with Type II Diabetes make appropriate lifestyle changes.
  • Develop agentic solutions for producing and evaluating culturally tailored and medically accurate output.
  • Contribute to advancing Microsoft Research Africa, Nairobi's human-centred AI (HCAI) agenda by experimenting with new methods for scalable human-centred evaluation of generative AI outputs.
  • Publish findings in top conferences or journals.
  • Engage in close collaboration with an interdisciplinary team comprising Researchers, Applied Scientists, Designers, and Machine Learning Engineers across various Microsoft Research teams to drive innovation and facilitate knowledge sharing.

Internship Duration: 6 Months
Locations: Nairobi, Kenya Africa
Qualifications
Required
:

  • PhD in Computer Science, Machine Learning, Statistics, Engineering, Mathematics, Physics, or related field or equivalent experience.
  • Enrolled in, or recently completed, doctoral studies in Computer Science, Machine Learning, or related field.
  • Knowledge of state-of-the-art and emerging Language Models, including their application in complex systems.
  • Familiarity with Large Language Models such as the OpenAI GPT models, Phi3.5 etc., model fine-tuning techniques (LoRa, QLoRa), and quantization, prompting techniques (Chain of Thought, ReACT etc.), and Retrieval Augment Generation
  • Coding and engineering skills to design and run experiments and help to drive research into product.

Preferred

  • Strong understanding of foundational LLM architectures and optimization techniques
  • Experience with multimodal models and AI agentic systems.
  • A passion for bridging research and real-world impact, with a desire to see innovations translated into practical solutions.
  • Publication record in relevant conferences, such as ACL, EMNLP, NeurIPS, ICLR, ICML, etc.

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.

  • PhD Research Intern: NLP Researcher – MSR Africa, Nairobi

    2 days ago

    Nairobi, Nairobi Area, Kenya Microsoft Full time 900,000 - 1,200,000 per year

    We are currently inviting applications for an internship position focused on building an agentic system for cultural tailoring of multi-modal content for the African Health Stories project. Africa Health Stories is a collaborative project between Microsoft Research and  Stellenbosch University, the University of Pretoria and Swansea University to create a...

  • Research Associate, Population Health

    5 days ago

    Nairobi, Nairobi Area, Kenya Aga Khan University Full time 1,500,000 - 4,500,000 per year

    Research Associate – Longitudinal Study of Health and Ageing in Kenya (LOSHAK)Department: Population HealthDivision: Medical CollegeLocation:  Nairobi, KenyaProject OverviewThe Longitudinal Study of Health and Ageing in Kenya (LOSHAK) is a national research initiative examining the health, economic, social, and environmental factors affecting Kenya's...

  • AI/ML Research Scientist

    5 days ago

    Nairobi, Nairobi Area, Kenya talent match africa. Full time 1,200,000 - 3,600,000 per year

    Position:AI/ML Research ScientistEmployer:tmaLocation:Offices in Sandton, Durban, Cape Town, or KenyaWork Type:100% Work-from-the-OfficeShift:1 AM – 4 PM About the RoleWe are seeking a passionate and drivenAI/ML Research Scientistto join our R&D team at a fast-growing, innovation-first deep-tech company. This role is ideal for individuals who thrive in...

  • Research Fellow: Climate Impact and Climate Finance

    2 weeks ago

    Nairobi, Nairobi Area, Kenya SEI – Stockholm Environment Institute Full time $70,000 - $120,000 per year

    Based in Nairobi, SEI Africa hosts a diverse team of multinational experts who combine scientific research with participatory approaches to co-develop and share knowledge, build partnerships and influence policy for resilient development. Our work focuses on climate adaptation, mitigation and finance, water and natural resource management, and urban...

  • Research Technician

    2 weeks ago

    Nairobi, Nairobi Area, Kenya Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR) and World Agroforestry (ICRAF) Full time $70,000 - $120,000 per year

    Document demand for trials seed production as guided by scientists and coordinate the seed production.Maintain seed inventory and supervise short term trial seed storage.Design and pack trials under the direction of a scientist.Establish trials in the designated testing sitesEnsure trials and demonstrations are established on time and planted according to...

  • Postdoctoral Research Fellow

    5 days ago

    Nairobi, Nairobi Area, Kenya International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) Full time $40,000 - $60,000 per year

    Background:The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) invites applications for the internationally recruited position ofPostdoctoral Research Fellow - Biotechnological Innovations for Red Palm Weevil Control.The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) is a not-for-profit institution that generates agricultural innovations to...

  • Postdoctoral Research Fellow

    5 days ago

    Nairobi, Nairobi Area, Kenya International Institute of Tropical Agriculture(IITA) Full time $50,000 - $60,000 per year

    Background: The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) invites applications for the internationally recruited position of Postdoctoral Research Fellow – Biotechnological Innovations for Red Palm Weevil Control.The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) is a not-for-profit institution that generates agricultural innovations...

  • Postdoctoral Research Fellow

    5 days ago

    Nairobi, Nairobi Area, Kenya International Institute of Tropical Agriculture(IITA) Full time $40,000 - $60,000 per year

    Background: The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) invites applications for the internationally recruited position of Postdoctoral Research Fellow – Biotechnological Innovations for Red Palm Weevil Control.The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) is a not-for-profit institution that generates agricultural innovations...

  • Postdoctoral Research Fellow

    5 days ago

    Nairobi, Nairobi Area, Kenya International Institute of Tropical Agriculture(IITA) Full time $60,000 - $90,000 per year

    Background: The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) invites applications for the internationally recruited position of Postdoctoral Research Fellow – Biotechnological Innovations for Red Palm Weevil Control.The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) is a not-for-profit institution that generates agricultural innovations...

  • Quantitative Research Officer

    4 days ago

    Nairobi, Nairobi Area, Kenya YIMBIK-KENYA ( Future global health and food security) Full time 900,000 - 1,200,000 per year

    Company DescriptionYIMBiK-KENYA is a dynamic society dedicated to advancing research, innovation, and entrepreneurship in microbiology and biotechnology. As a legally registered national association, YIMBiK is shaping the future of health, agriculture, and environmental sustainability by nurturing young scientists, innovators, and entrepreneurs. We...