The Team

Upstart’s Machine Learning team has a direct impact on our company's success. The team consists of Research Scientists, Data Scientists, ML Engineers and other highly specialized roles who build and enable our core production models.

Because our challenges are so new, members of our Machine Learning team need strong creative problem-solving skills and the technical background to implement solutions. Our research environment affords team members the opportunity to utilize a variety of statistical and machine learning methods with the freedom and encouragement to pursue alternative approaches to solving problems. Whether developing new products or identifying novel approaches to core models, we are continuously seeking the next big ideas to move our business forward.

The Role

As a Senior Data Scientist, you'll evaluate and monitor our models, their performance, and their effects on our customers. Additionally, you'll identify potential problems or opportunities for improvement, communicate these issues to the team, and suggest solutions. This involves self-directed investigation into our business and its data, designing and preparing regular reports, as well as conducting ad hoc analyses for the Machine Learning team, company leadership, and external parties such as partner banks.

Our Machine Learning team researches and productionizes all of Upstart’s core predictive models. If data is the new oil, then you’ll be responsible for the refining process that creates the most premium fuel possible. You’ll work in an environment where actionable insights from data are valued and needed, so you’ll be able to see your analysis turn into measurable results for our company and our borrowers.

• Position Location - This role is available in the following locations: Columbus or Remote ^(#LI-REMOTE) 
• Time Zone Requirements - This team operates on either the East or West Coast time zones.
• Travel Requirements - This team has regular on-site collaboration sessions six times annually split between the San Mateo or Columbus office locations. If you need to travel to make these meetups, Upstart will cover all travel related expenses.

What we’re looking for:

• 2+ years' in data science or related experience in a production setting
• Knowledgeable in applied statistics (e.g., AB testing, hypothesis testing, linear and logistic regression)
• Experience with Python or R as well as SQL 
• Strong sense of intellectual curiosity balanced with humility, drive and teamwork
• Numerically-savvy and smart with ability to operate at a speedy pace
• Ability to quickly piece together disparate pieces of information to form a broader picture
• Ability to use data to detect bugs, surprises, and other important business issues
• Determination to pursue a question until reaching a satisfactory conclusion
• Experience with consumer data (especially consumer finance) is a plus
• Data visualization skills preferred
• Enthusiasm for and alignment with Upstart’s mission and values
• MS or PhD in econometrics, applied statistics or related quantitative areas of study