Applied Scientist

Upstart

1d•$141,500 - $196,000•Remote

About The Position

Upstart is a leading AI lending marketplace that partners with banks and credit unions to expand access to affordable credit through technology. The company aims to radically reduce the cost and complexity of borrowing for all Americans. Upstart utilizes advanced AI and over 3,000 signals to power smarter, fairer decisions for millions of customers. The company is digital-first, offering flexibility for employees to work remotely, with intentional in-person collaboration through team onsites and planning sessions. Upstart has offices in Columbus, Austin, the Bay Area, and New York City.

Requirements

Master’s Degree in Mathematics, Statistics, Economics, Operations Research or a related field
Experience applying statistical and machine learning methods to modeling or data science problems.
Experience using Python for data analysis, data preparation, and machine learning model development.
Experience with causal inference and experimental design, including statistically rigorous evaluation of model or experiment performance

Nice To Haves

PhD in Mathematics, Statistics, Economics, Operations Research or a related field (or its equivalent)
Knowledge of causal machine learning methods and modeling approaches.
Ability to translate broadly scoped business problems into structured research questions, analyses, and modeling approaches.
Experience working across exploratory data analysis, machine learning research, experimentation, and production model development and scaling.
Ability to interpret complex experimental or modeling results and translate findings into actionable recommendations.
Experience applying machine learning to marketing, customer acquisition, lifecycle, or other growth use cases.

Responsibilities

Analyze historical model and campaign performance to identify opportunities to improve model effectiveness and marketing outcomes.
Develop and evaluate machine learning models, including researching new features and model architectures, to improve prospect selection and support new marketing use cases.
Design statistically rigorous experiments and model evaluations to measure causal impact, optimize campaign outcomes, and inform decisions.
Navigate complex, messy datasets and build reusable data pipelines, metrics, and analytical approaches that enable efficient model development and analysis.
Partner with Machine Learning, Growth, and Marketing Platform Engineering teams to translate business problems into research agendas, intermediate milestones, and production-ready solutions.
Expand machine learning capabilities beyond direct mail into lifecycle, email, digital, and other emerging marketing channels.

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 (opening Summer 2026!)