Data Scientist

Job Description

Data Scientist

Upstart is the first lending platform to leverage artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) to automate the borrowing process and price credit. In addition to our direct-to-consumer lending platform, Upstart provides technology to banks, credit unions and other partners via a “Software-as-a-Service” offering called Powered by Upstart.

Data scientists build the statistical and machine learning models that power our platform. By collaborating with our engineering team, data scientists use conventional and non-conventional variables at scale to continuously improve our underwriting, fraud, pricing and marketing models. After exciting success over the past few years, we are looking to double down on our competitive advantage by expanding our data science team.

Our mission is to enable effortless credit based on true risk. Going beyond FICO, our model provides higher approval rates and lower interest rates for every traditionally underserved demographic. Since our founding, we have originated more than $4 billion in loans and are on track for another year of record-setting growth in 2019.

Our Team

Our data science team consists of full-stack generalists as well as specialists in statistical modeling or machine learning. Because our challenges are so new, data scientists at Upstart 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.

Our current Data Scientists summarize some of their favorite aspects of our team as:

• Having a direct impact on the company's success
• Collaborative, intelligent and open team
• Mentorship, growth and friendship
• Leaders committed to challenging and growing team members
• Feeling safe asking for help when it’s necessary; feeling trusted to get the job done when it’s not

Hiring Profile

• Strong academic credentials with a M.S. in Computer Science, Statistics, Data Science or a related field of study with a preference for Ph.D.
• Comfort with programming (ideally in Python and R)
• Rigorous quantitative background
• Predictive modeling experience is preferred
• Enthusiasm for and alignment with Upstart’s mission and values
• Strong sense of intellectual curiosity balanced with humility
• Numerically-savvy with ability to operate at a speedy pace

Whether developing new products or identifying novel approaches to core models, we are continuously seeking the next big ideas to move our business forward. If you are energized by the impact you can make at Upstart, we would love to hear from you.

Upstart is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified individuals will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability status, veteran status, marital status, citizenship status, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other characteristic protected by law.