Data Scientist (Analytics)

Job Description

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, our data science team uses conventional and non-conventional variables at scale to continuously improve our underwriting, fraud, pricing and marketing models.

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 $5 billion in loans and experienced another year of record-setting growth in 2019.

Your Role

Our data science 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.

As a Data Scientist on our data science team, you'll focus on analytics by monitoring our models, their performance, and their effects on our customers, identify potential problems or opportunities for improvement, communicate these issues to the rest of 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 data science team, company leadership, and external parties such as partner banks.

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.

Hiring Profile

• Experience with SQL and R/Python
• Knowledge of applied stats (e.g., hypothesis testing, linear and logistic regression)
• MS/PhD preferred
• Data visualization skills preferred
• Experience with consumer (especially consumer finance) data a plus

Personal Attributes

• Enthusiasm for and alignment with Upstart’s mission and values
• 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

If you are energized by the impact you can make at Upstart, we would love to hear from you!