Research Scientist

Upstart is the leading AI lending marketplace, working with banks and credit unions to expand access to affordable credit. Their platform leverages over 1,800 signals to make smarter, fairer lending decisions. Upstart is a digital-first company that offers flexibility for most employees to work remotely, with opportunities for in-person collaboration at team onsites and offices in Columbus, Austin, the Bay Area, and New York City (opening Summer 2026).

Introduction

At Upstart, we are unified by a mission to radically reduce the cost and complexity of borrowing for all Americans. We leverage creativity, experimentation, and advanced AI to reshape access to credit, helping millions achieve financial progress with clarity and confidence. As a leading AI lending marketplace, we partner with banks and credit unions to expand access to affordable credit through intelligent and human-centric technology. Our platform processes over one million predictions per borrower using more than 1,800 signals, enabling smarter, fairer decisions.

This role is available remotely across the U.S. Team collaboration involves a mix of remote and in-person sessions, with regular on-site meetings held 1-2 times per quarter.

Responsibilities

• Research and develop new machine learning models to enhance the accuracy of predictions across various applications (marketing, pricing, servicing, monitoring & fairness) and products (personal/auto/HELOC loans).
• Design, prototype, and deploy models to production, ensuring robust and scalable implementations.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with engineers, product managers, and other teams to experiment with and optimize models for business outcomes.
• Evaluate model performance, interpret their impact on business metrics, and present actionable insights to stakeholders.
• Continuously explore novel algorithms and methodologies to keep Upstart’s ML systems at the cutting edge of technology.
• Mentor junior team members and contribute to the development of a high-quality, production-ready codebase.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in a scientific or quantitative discipline (e.g., Math, Physics, Computer Science, Statistics, Economics, Operations Research).
• 2+ years of experience in Machine Learning or a similar field.
• Proficiency in Python or other programming languages.
• Strong understanding of statistical, probability, and machine learning theory.
• Full-stack expertise in the modeling process from ideation to production, or deep expertise in either statistical modeling or machine learning.
• Ability to break down complex tasks into smaller steps and make appropriate tradeoffs to deliver projects on time.
• Ability to communicate technical concepts effectively to non-technical stakeholders.
• Strong sense of intellectual curiosity, humility, and teamwork.

Nice to Have

• Master’s degree or PhD in a quantitative discipline (e.g., Math, Physics, Economics, Computer Science, Statistics, Operations Research).
• Deep expertise in Python and experience with machine learning frameworks.
• Experience leading or mentoring junior members in a technical team.
• Proficiency in building and deploying machine learning pipelines and engineering architecture.
• Strong critical thinking skills and ability to develop testable hypotheses.
• Proven ability to meet high standards in terms of quality and velocity with minimal direction.
• Ability to use modern agentic tooling (Claude Code, Codex, …) efficiently.

Benefits

• Competitive compensation, including base pay, bonus opportunities, and annual equity grants that vest quarterly.
• Generous 401(k) plan with Upstart matching $2 for every $1 contributed, up to $15,000 per year.
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP) with discounted stock purchase options for eligible employees.
• Affordable medical, dental, and vision coverage, with multiple plan options - Upstart covers 90% to 100% of the cost depending on the plans you choose.
• Health Savings Account contributions from Upstart for eligible plans.
• Income protection benefits, including company-paid Basic Life, AD&D, and Short- and Long-Term Disability coverage, with options to purchase supplemental coverage.
• Paid time off, sick and safe time, and company holidays.
• Paid family and parental leave to support caregiving and major life moments.
• Family-centered benefits through Carrot and Cleo, supporting fertility, parenthood, and caregiving.
• 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.
• 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 and onsites, all-company updates, and employee resource groups (ERGs).
• Onsite perks, including catered lunches and fully stocked micro-kitchens when working from one of our four offices, located in the Bay Area, Austin, Columbus, and New York City (opening Summer 2026!).

About Company

Upstart is the leading AI lending marketplace, working with banks and credit unions to expand access to affordable credit. Their platform leverages over 1,800 signals to make smarter, fairer lending decisions. Upstart is a digital-first company that offers flexibility for most employees to work remotely, with opportunities for in-person collaboration at team onsites and offices in Columbus, Austin, the Bay Area, and New York City (opening Summer 2026).

How to Apply

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. More information about our candidate privacy policy can be found at https://www.upstart.com/candidate_privacy_policy.