Senior Research/Data Scientist, Growth
Job Description
About Upstart
Upstart is the leading AI lending marketplace partnering with banks and credit unions to expand access to affordable credit. By leveraging Upstart's AI marketplace, Upstart-powered banks and credit unions can have higher approval rates and lower loss rates across races, ages, and genders, while simultaneously delivering the exceptional digital-first lending experience their customers demand. More than 80% of borrowers are approved instantly, with zero documentation to upload.
Upstart is a digital-first company, which means that most Upstarters live and work anywhere in the United States. However, we also have offices in San Mateo, California; Columbus, Ohio; and Austin, Texas.
Most Upstarters join us because they connect with our mission of enabling access to effortless credit based on true risk. If you are energized by the impact you can make at Upstart, we’d love to hear from you!
The Team
Upstart’s Growth Team engages in marketing and borrower acquisition through direct mail (DM) campaigns and targeted loan offers on partner sites, leveraging machine learning to drive growth. The Growth ML team develops models to optimize borrower targeting, predict conversion probabilities, and refine pricing strategies across these channels. We’re also beginning to explore ML opportunities in other parts of marketing - specifically in cross-selling our newer products (HELOC and Auto Refi) to existing customers using surfaces within our site.
As the Research Scientist or Data Scientist - Growth at Upstart, you will run and analyze experiments, conduct one-off analyses, and build models to help determine which of these products we should market to which borrowers. This is a net new area of research for the growth team, so you’ll have the opportunity to collaborate with stakeholders on use-cases and solutions and build net new capabilities from zero to one.
How you’ll make an impact
- Improving marketing conversion rates and cross-sell volume through better targeting and campaign optimizations.
- Launching and analyzing A/B tests or causal inference studies to generate actionable insights that lead to measurable improvements.
- Collaborate with and influence partner teams, ensuring that data-driven recommendations lead to strategic business decisions.
- Build scalable data processes, reducing bottlenecks in analysis and execution.
- Quickly prototype new models that can drive cross-sell decisions and improve new product growth.
Minimum Qualifications
- Strong academic credentials with a master's degree in statistics, mathematics, economics, computer science, or other quantitative areas of study
- Knowledge of causal inference techniques and experimentation
- Programming skills in Python
- Proficiency in a broad array of mathematical, statistical learning and machine learning concepts and applications
- Ability to proactively and effectively communicate results and methodologies to both technical and non-technical stakeholders
- Strong sense of intellectual curiosity balanced with humility, drive and teamwork
- Experience solving real-world DS or ML problems at a tech company
- Experience working as part of a diverse, cross-functional team.
Preferred Qualifications
- PhD in in statistics, mathematics, economics, computer science, or other quantitative areas of study
- Experience in marketing applications, modeling to drive cross sell, propensity model, and/or recommendation systems
- [DS] Expertise in causal inference and experimentation
- [RS] Expertise with causal ML techniques
- [RS] Full-stack expertise with all steps of the modeling process from ideation to productionalizing code; OR deep expertise in either statistical modeling or machine learning
- [RS] Knowledge of MLops, pipelines, and engineering architecture
Position Location - This role is available in the following locations: Remote
Time Zone Requirements - This team operates on the East/West Coast time zones.
Travel requirements - As a digital first company, the majority of your work can be accomplished remotely. The majority of our employees can live and work anywhere in the U.S but are encouraged to to still spend high quality time in-person collaborating via regular onsites. The in-person sessions’ cadence varies depending on the team and role; most teams meet once or twice per quarter for 2-4 consecutive days at a time.
What you'll love:
- Competitive Compensation (base + bonus & equity)
- Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage with Health Savings Account contributions from Upstart
- 401(k) with 100% company match up to $4,500 and immediate vesting and after-tax savings
- Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP)
- Life and disability insurance
- Generous holiday, vacation, sick and safety leave
- Supportive parental, family care, and military leave programs
- Annual wellness, technology & ergonomic reimbursement programs
- Social activities including team events and onsites, all-company updates, employee resource groups (ERGs), and other interest groups such as book clubs, fitness, investing, and volunteering
- Catered lunches + snacks & drinks when working in offices
#LI-REMOTE
#LI-Associate
#LI-MidSenior
At Upstart, your base pay is one part of your total compensation package. The anticipated base salary for this position is expected to be within the below range. Your actual base pay will depend on your geographic location–with our “digital first” philosophy, Upstart uses compensation regions that vary depending on location. Individual pay is also determined by job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range for your preferred location during the hiring process.
In addition, Upstart provides employees with target bonuses, equity compensation, and generous benefits packages (including medical, dental, vision, and 401k).
Upstart is a proud Equal Opportunity Employer. We are dedicated to ensuring that underrepresented classes receive better access to affordable credit, and are just as committed to embracing diversity and inclusion in our hiring practices. We celebrate all cultures, backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences, and know that we can only become better together.
If you require reasonable accommodation in completing an application, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, or otherwise participating in the employee selection process, please email candidate_accommodations@upstart.com
