Research Scientist - ML Fairness & Explainability

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 delivering the digital-first lending experience customers demand. More than 80% of borrowers are approved instantly, with zero documentation to upload.

Upstart is a digital-first company, with most Upstarters able to work anywhere in the United States. 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 Machine Learning team has a direct impact on our company\'s success. The team consists of Research Scientists, Data Scientists, ML Engineers and other specialized roles. The team builds, enables and evaluates our core production models.

Because challenges are new, team members need strong creative problem-solving skills and the technical background to implement solutions. Our research environment allows the use of a variety of statistical and machine learning methods with freedom to pursue alternative approaches. Whether developing new products or identifying novel approaches to core models, we are continuously seeking ideas to move our business forward.

The role sits on the Fairness and Explainability team . The team focuses on research and development ensuring models are fair and explainable. This is essential to ensure compliance, robustness, and trust with external stakeholders including lending partners, investors, and consumers.

The Role

As an ML Research Scientist , you will be an integral part of the team ensuring fair lending compliance. You\'ll work in a fast-paced environment researching and implementing industry-leading methodologies for explaining complex machine learning models, evaluating fairness in lending, and mitigating potential fairness disparities via less discriminatory alternative searches. You will strive to understand the dynamics of our models to 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; 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 able 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 work can be accomplished remotely. Most employees can live and work anywhere in the U.S. but are encouraged to spend time in-person collaborating via regular onsites. In-person sessions' cadence varies by team and role; most teams meet once or twice per quarter for 2-4 consecutive days at a time.

What you\'ll love

United States | Remote - Anticipated Base Salary Range

Estimated base salary : $126,400—$175,000 USD

Equal Opportunity Employer

Upstart is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate all cultures, backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences, and are committed to diversity and inclusion in our hiring practices. If you require reasonable accommodation during the application or interview process, please contact candidate_accommodations@upstart.com.

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