Research Scientist - ML Fairness & Explainability

The Team: 

Upstart’s Machine Learning team has a direct impact on our company's success. The team consists of Research Scientists, Data Scientists, ML Engineers and other highly specialized roles. As a whole, the Machine Learning team builds, enables and evaluates our core production models.

Because our challenges are so new, members of our Machine Learning team 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. Whether developing new products or identifying novel approaches to core models, we are continuously seeking the next big ideas to move our business forward.

The role sits on the Fairness and Explainability team. The team is focused on research and development ensuring our models are both fair and explainable. This function is essential for Upstart to ensure that our models are compliant, robust, and are able to engender trust with a variety of external stakeholders, including lending partners, investors, and consumers.

The Role: 

As a ML Research Scientist, you will be an integral part of the  team ensuring fair lending compliance. You'll enjoy a fast-paced environment with a focus on researching and implementing industry leading methodologies for explaining complex machine learning models, evaluating their fairness in the lending space, and mitigating any potential fairness disparities via less discriminatory alternative searches. You will strive to understand, at a deep level, the dynamics of our models in order to properly inform business decisions. 

What we’re looking for:

• Strong academic credentials with a master's degree in statistics, mathematics, economics, physics, operations research,  computer science, or other quantitative areas of study; Ph.D. preferred
• Programming skills in Python 
• 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
• Experience and interest in  ML explainability or fairness; OR  demonstration of high potential to learn quickly and contribute to these areas.
• Proficiency in a broad array of mathematical, statistical learning and machine learning concepts and applications
• Detailed understanding of building good technical solutions; ability to convert ideas into testable hypotheses and/or next steps
• Ability to meet team standards with respect to quality and velocity with minimal help or direction from peers
• For more complex tasks, ability to break down problems into smaller tasks, and use them to estimate the timeline of executing a larger initiative. Willingness to make the right tradeoffs when needed to deliver projects on time.
• Proactively communicate to stakeholders and teammates with ability to contextualize technical results 
• Strong sense of intellectual curiosity balanced with humility, drive and teamwork
• Numerically-savvy and smart with ability to operate at a speedy pace
• Enthusiasm for and alignment with Upstart’s mission and values

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

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