Staff Research Scientist, Growth

$174,900 - $242,000/Yr

Upstart

Full-time - Mid Level

Remote

Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services

About the position

The Staff Research Scientist, Growth position at Upstart focuses on enhancing direct mail campaign effectiveness through advanced machine learning techniques. The role involves participating in research and development initiatives to innovate predictive models, coordinating prospect selection for campaigns, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to optimize marketing strategies. This position is integral to Upstart's mission of expanding access to affordable credit by leveraging AI-driven insights to improve campaign outcomes and drive business growth.

Responsibilities

• Participate in research and development efforts to innovate and refine predictive models for direct mail campaigns.
• Coordinate and run prospects selection as part of direct mail campaigns.
• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams including engineers and marketing specialists to design and execute experiments aimed at optimizing campaign outcomes.
• Evaluate the impact of model enhancements on revenue metrics and provide actionable insights to stakeholders.
• Present findings and recommendations to stakeholders and contribute to strategic discussions on enhancing campaign effectiveness and ROI.
• Continuously propose and explore creative ways to leverage machine learning to improve marketing strategies and drive business growth.

Requirements

• Advanced degree in Computer Science, Statistics, Mathematics, or a related quantitative field.
• Proficiency in Python and in machine learning frameworks (e.g., XGBoost, PyTorch, sk-learn).
• Strong understanding of statistical modeling, experimental design and model development principles.

Nice-to-haves

• 4+ years of hands-on experience in applying machine learning techniques to real-world problems, preferably in marketing analytics or related fields.
• Proven track record of developing and deploying predictive models using machine learning frameworks (e.g., TensorFlow, PyTorch, Scikit-Learn).
• Proficiency in Scala and Spark.
• Strong critical thinking skills and a structured approach to problem-solving.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to explain complex technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders.

Benefits

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Employee stock purchase plan
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Vision insurance