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Senior Research/Data Scientist, Revenue Science

About Upstart

Upstart is the leading AI lending marketplace partnering with banks and credit unions to expand access to affordable credit. By leveraging Upstart's AI marketplace, Upstart-powered banks and credit unions can have higher approval rates and lower loss rates across races, ages, and genders, while simultaneously delivering the exceptional digital-first lending experience their customers demand. More than 80% of borrowers are approved instantly, with zero documentation to upload.

Upstart is a digital-first company, which means that most Upstarters live and work anywhere in the United States. However, we also have offices in San Mateo, California; Columbus, Ohio; and Austin, Texas.

Most Upstarters join us because they connect with our mission of enabling access to effortless credit based on true risk. If you are energized by the impact you can make at Upstart, we’d love to hear from you!

The Team: 

Upstart’s Revenue Science  team is responsible for building models to optimize our borrower/lender marketplace. Our current focus is on modeling borrower rate sensitivity to optimize how we set fees and target returns to optimize Upstart’s business objectives while satisfying various capital constraints. There is also a borrower <> lender matching system that we believe has major optimization opportunities.  We are currently interested in predicting competitive rates to improve our pricing competitiveness. 

 

Senior Data Scientist: 

As a Senior Data Scientist  at Upstart, you will design, implement, and analyze experiments to understand how borrowers respond to changes in the loan terms we offer them and measure the business impact of  our attempts to optimize  those loan terms. You’ll do regular deep dive analyses to understand why we’re seeing what we’re seeing and to assess the potential opportunities of optimizing new areas of the marketplace. You will regularly communicate with product managers and the business to explain your results, understand their concerns and interests, and partner with them to come up with novel analyses to answer as yet unanswered business questions. 

Senior Research Scientist:

As a Senior  Research Scientist at Upstart you will  work on optimizing our models through feature and architecture improvements, building new models for novel use-cases, and building decision systems based on these models to optimize our marketplace performance. You will collaborate with product, engineering, and other scientists and communicate your approach and results to both technical and non-technical audiences, and contribute positively to the team’s culture.

 

How you’ll make an impact [Data Scientist]

  • Conduct detailed analysis and make recommendations to improve our models or our business
  • Design, run, and analyze A/B tests and other experiments
  • Write clean, readable code to execute reproducible analyses 
  • Develop and socialize approaches in collaboration with other scientists and cross-functional stakeholders
  • Communicate and socialize findings to get buy in for recommended next steps

 

How you’ll make an impact [Research Scientist]

  • Independently execute ML modeling and research projects, both to improve existing models and develop entirely novel models for new use cases
  • Develop and socialize approaches in collaboration with other scientists and cross-functional stakeholders
  • Write clean, production quality code to train and deploy our models
  • Communicate and socialize findings to get buy in for recommended next steps

 

Minimum Qualifications [Both]

  • Strong academic credentials with a master's degree in statistics, mathematics, economics, computer science, or other quantitative areas of study
  • Knowledge of causal inference techniques and experimentation
  • Programming skills in Python 
  • Proficiency in a broad array of mathematical, statistical learning and machine learning concepts and applications
  • Ability to proactively and effectively communicate results and methodologies to both technical and non-technical stakeholders 
  • Strong sense of intellectual curiosity balanced with humility, drive and teamwork
  • Experience solving real-world machine learning problems at a tech company
  • Experience working as part of a diverse, cross-functional team.

 

Preferred Qualifications

  • PhD in  in statistics, mathematics, economics, computer science, or other quantitative areas of study
  • [DS] Expertise in causal inference and experimentation
  • [RS] Expertise with causal ML techniques 
  • Experience with forecasting, especially demand forecasting
  • Experience working on pricing systems 
  • [RS] Full-stack expertise with all steps of the modeling process from ideation to productionalizing code; OR deep expertise in either statistical modeling or machine learning
  • [RS] Knowledge of MLops, pipelines, and engineering architecture 

Position location This role is available in the following locations: Remote

Travel requirements As a digital first company, the majority of your work can be accomplished remotely. The majority of our employees can live and work anywhere in the U.S but are encouraged to to still spend high quality time in-person collaborating via regular onsites. The in-person sessions’ cadence varies depending on the team and role; most teams meet once or twice per quarter for 2-4 consecutive days at a time.

 

What you'll love: 

  • Competitive Compensation (base + bonus & equity)
  • Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage with Health Savings Account contributions from Upstart 
  • 401(k) with 100% company match up to $4,500 and immediate vesting and after-tax savings
  • Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP)
  • Life and disability insurance
  • Generous holiday, vacation, sick and safety leave  
  • Supportive parental, family care, and military leave programs
  • Annual wellness, technology & ergonomic reimbursement programs
  • Social activities including team events and onsites, all-company updates, employee resource groups (ERGs), and other interest groups such as book clubs, fitness, investing, and volunteering
  • Catered lunches + snacks & drinks when working in offices

 

#LI-REMOTE

#LI-Associate 

At Upstart, your base pay is one part of your total compensation package.  The anticipated base salary for this position is expected to be within the below range. Your actual base pay will depend on your geographic location–with our “digital first” philosophy, Upstart uses compensation regions that vary depending on location. Individual pay is also determined by job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range for your preferred location during the hiring process.

In addition, Upstart provides employees with target bonuses, equity compensation, and generous benefits packages (including medical, dental, vision, and 401k).

United States | Remote - Anticipated Base Salary Range
$149,800$207,000 USD

Upstart is a proud Equal Opportunity Employer. We are dedicated to ensuring that underrepresented classes receive better access to affordable credit, and are just as committed to embracing diversity and inclusion in our hiring practices. We celebrate all cultures, backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences, and know that we can only become better together. 

If you require reasonable accommodation in completing an application, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, or otherwise participating in the employee selection process, please email candidate_accommodations@upstart.com

https://www.upstart.com/candidate_privacy_policy

Average salary estimate

$178400 / YEARLY (est.)
min
max
$149800K
$207000K

If an employer mentions a salary or salary range on their job, we display it as an "Employer Estimate". If a job has no salary data, Rise displays an estimate if available.

What You Should Know About Senior Research/Data Scientist, Revenue Science , Upstart

At Upstart, we're on a mission to revolutionize the lending landscape, and we're looking for a Senior Research/Data Scientist to join our dynamic Revenue Science team. As a pivotal player in this team, you'll dive deep into the world of data analysis to optimize our borrower and lender marketplace. Your work will directly influence how we set fees and target returns while juggling essential capital constraints. Imagine leveraging AI to make a real impact in the financial space—where more than 80% of borrowers are approved instantly! In this role, you'll design, run, and analyze experiments to gauge how borrowers react to different loan terms, uncovering opportunities that can reshape our marketplace. Communication is key; you'll collaborate regularly with product managers and other business stakeholders to convey insights and create innovative analyses. Whether you're refining existing models or pioneering entirely new ones, your expertise will drive performance and improve our overall business objectives. With a flexible remote setup that allows you to work from anywhere in the U.S., you’ll be part of a supportive culture that values intellectual curiosity and teamwork. If you're excited to contribute to a company that thrives on pioneering solutions and promoting financial inclusivity, we'd love to hear from you!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for Senior Research/Data Scientist, Revenue Science Role at Upstart
What are the main responsibilities of a Senior Research/Data Scientist at Upstart?

As a Senior Research/Data Scientist at Upstart, your primary responsibilities will include designing and analyzing experiments to understand borrower responses, optimizing models for pricing and marketplace performance, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to communicate findings. You'll also conduct deep dive analyses to identify opportunities for improvement in our loan structuring.

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What qualifications do you need for the Senior Research/Data Scientist position at Upstart?

Upstart requires candidates for the Senior Research/Data Scientist position to hold a master's degree in a quantitative field such as statistics, mathematics, economics, or computer science. Strong programming skills in Python and a background in machine learning concepts are essential. Candidates with a PhD and experience in causal inference techniques will stand out.

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What skills are valuable for a Senior Research/Data Scientist at Upstart?

Key skills for a Senior Research/Data Scientist role at Upstart include strong analytical abilities, proficiency in causal inference and experimentation, and excellent communication skills for conveying complex results to both technical and non-technical audiences. Additionally, having a proactive mindset and good teamwork skills will greatly benefit your work at Upstart.

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How does Upstart foster collaboration among remote Senior Research/Data Scientists?

Upstart encourages collaboration among remote Senior Research/Data Scientists through periodic in-person gatherings, regular cross-team meetings, and fostering a strong culture of communication. Teams generally meet once or twice per quarter, ensuring that everyone connects meaningfully while also maintaining flexibility with remote work.

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What benefits does Upstart offer to Senior Research/Data Scientists?

Upstart offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes competitive compensation with base salary, bonuses, and equity options, as well as medical, dental, and vision coverage. Other perks include a 401(k) plan with matching contributions, generous leave policies, and wellness initiatives, all designed to support the well-being of our employees.

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Common Interview Questions for Senior Research/Data Scientist, Revenue Science
Can you describe a past project where you optimized a data model?

In preparing for this question, consider highlighting a specific project's objective, the data used, and the results achieved. Focus on your analytical techniques, any challenges faced, and how your model improvements impacted the overall business metrics.

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How do you approach A/B testing and what factors do you consider?

Explain your approach to A/B testing, emphasizing the importance of hypothesis formulation, sample size determination, and statistical significance. Discuss how you interpret results to make data-driven decisions and how you communicate findings to stakeholders.

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What programming languages do you feel most confident using, and why?

Identify Python as a key language, since it is particularly valued at Upstart. Discuss specific libraries or frameworks you've used, such as Pandas or Scikit-learn, and how you've leveraged them in past projects to drive meaningful insights.

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How do you handle conflicting data interpretations among stakeholders?

Address this question by discussing the importance of transparent communication and collaboration. Describe your approach to facilitating discussions that lead to a shared understanding while relying on data to guide decisions.

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What recent trends in machine learning excite you the most?

Discuss specific trends like advancements in causal inference techniques or the increasing use of automated ML tools. Share your thoughts on their potential impacts on the financial sector, particularly regarding lending and credit access.

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Why do you want to work at Upstart as a Senior Research/Data Scientist?

Personalize your response by resonating with Upstart's mission of expanding credit access. Highlight how your skills align with the company's objectives and your enthusiasm for working in a data-driven culture that prioritizes innovation and inclusivity.

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Describe a time when your data analysis led to a significant business change.

Prepare a detailed story that illustrates your analytical process, emphasizing the insights derived from your analysis, the recommendations you made, and the measurable outcomes that followed. This shows your ability to translate data into impactful business decisions.

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How do you ensure your analyses are reproducible?

For this question, you can explain your practices of clean coding, maintaining documentation, and using version control systems. These practices not only aid in reproducibility but also help team collaboration.

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How do you stay updated on advances in statistical modeling?

Discuss resources such as journals, online courses, and conferences you follow to stay informed on trends in statistical modeling. You can also mention platforms where you engage with the data science community.

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Can you explain a causal inference technique you have applied in a project?

Briefly describe a specific technique like regression discontinuity or instrumental variables used in a project. Highlight the context, methodology, and the results it brought about, demonstrating your understanding of practical applications.

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Most Upstarters join us because they connect with our mission of enabling access to effortless credit based on true risk. If you are energized by the impact you can make at Upstart, we would love to hear from you!

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Full-time, remote
DATE POSTED
April 24, 2025

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