Applied Scientist Intern

Upstart

13d•$141,000 - $150,000•Remote

About The Position

As an Applied Scientist Intern, you will become a specialist in our models, products, business and/or codebase. You will identify potential problems or opportunities for improvement, communicate these to the team and suggest solutions. This involves self-directed investigation, offline analyses using creative thinking as well as presentation to the ML team. You will receive mentorship from experienced ML practitioners and collaborate closely with the team to improve our products and models.

Requirements

Bachelor. Masters or PHD degree in mathematics, statistics, physics, econometrics, computer science, or a related quantitative field. On track to graduate by 2028.
Strong fundamentals in statistical, probability, and machine learning theory.
Ability to perform data analysis and evaluate machine learning or statistical models using Python, as well as basic SQL foundations.
Intellectual curiosity, humility, drive and teamwork.
Strong communication skills.
Ability to use modern agentic tooling (Claude Code, Codex, …) efficiently.

Nice To Haves

Phd in mathematics, statistics, physics, econometrics, computer science, or a related quantitative field. On track to graduate by the summer of 2028.
Experience in supervised learning, model evaluation, and feature engineering techniques.
Advanced statistical (frequentist, bayesian, causal) theory/econometrics knowledge.
Strong coding skills in Python.

Responsibilities

Research machine learning and statistical approaches to discover improvements to the predictive performance and/or business value of a model.
Design, implement, and evaluate model, product, or technical enhancements using rigorous experimentation and validation methods.
Translate research findings into clear recommendations, documented methodologies, and production-ready solutions.
Work with your mentor to align stakeholders, and drive next steps.

Benefits

Competitive compensation, including base pay, bonus opportunities, and annual equity grants that vest quarterly
Retirement benefits to help you plan for the future, including a 401(k) or Group Retirement Savings Plan with a company match of $2 for every $1 contributed, up to $15,000 annually (USD in the US, CAD in Canada)
Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP) with discounted stock purchase options for eligible employees (US only)
Comprehensive health coverage designed to support you and your family, including medical, dental, vision, and wellness resources for US and supplemental health coverage for Canada.
Health Savings Account contributions from Upstart for eligible plans (US only)
Income protection benefits, including life insurance and disability coverage for added financial security
Paid time off, sick leave, and company holidays, in line with local requirements
Paid family and parental leave to support caregiving and major life moments (duration varies by country)
Family-centered benefits to support fertility, parenthood, and caregiving needs
Employee Assistance Program (EAP) offering mental health support and life-centered resources
Financial wellness resources, including access to financial planning tools and a financial concierge service (US Only)
Annual wellness allowance to support your physical and emotional well-being and personal development, based on what matters most to you
Annual productivity allowance to invest in relevant tools and resources you need to do your best work, no matter where you work from
Connection and community through team events, all-company updates, and employee resource groups (ERGs)
Onsite perks, including catered lunches and fully stocked micro-kitchens when working from one of our offices in the Bay Area, Austin, Columbus, and New York City