[Hiring] Applied Scientist @Upstart

Role Description

As an Applied Scientist at Upstart, you will develop and evaluate machine learning models that address meaningful business problems. You will collaborate with scientists, engineers, and cross-functional partners to translate complex data into modeling improvements and measurable outcomes.

• Develop, train, and evaluate machine learning models to improve predictive performance and support lending decisions.
• Analyze large datasets to identify patterns, develop features, and inform modeling approaches.
• Design and execute experiments to assess model performance, validate hypotheses, and identify opportunities for improvement.
• Collaborate with scientists and engineers to implement, monitor, and refine models in production environments.
• Document methodologies, communicate findings, and contribute to reproducible scientific workflows.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Mathematics, Statistics, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.
• 0–2 years of experience in machine learning, applied statistics, or a related quantitative field.
• Experience developing or evaluating machine learning models using Python.
• Experience applying statistical methods, including hypothesis testing, regression, or predictive modeling, to quantitative datasets.

Requirements

• Advanced degree, ideally a PhD, in mathematics, applied mathematics, statistics, physics, econometrics, operations research, computer science, or a related quantitative field.
• Knowledge of supervised learning techniques, model evaluation, and feature engineering.
• Familiarity with machine learning frameworks such as PyTorch, TensorFlow, or scikit-learn.
• Experience working with large-scale datasets using SQL or distributed data processing tools.
• Ability to communicate modeling approaches and experimental results to technical and nontechnical audiences.

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.