Applied Scientist

Upstart; Columbus, Austin, San Francisco (OH, TX, CA); Remote; USD 142,000 - 196,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay & equity

Retirement benefits

ESPP (US)

Health coverage

Paid time off

Parental and family leave

Job summary

Upstart is seeking an Applied Scientist to develop and evaluate machine learning models that improve lending decisions. You will work with scientists, engineers, and cross-functional partners to turn complex data into measurable improvements and scalable solutions.

You will analyze large datasets, design experiments, and help deploy models in production while documenting methodologies for reproducibility. A strong foundation in statistics and ML with Python is required, plus collaboration across

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in CS, Engineering, Math, Statistics, or related field; or equivalent practical experience.
• 0–2 years in machine learning, applied statistics, or related quantitative field.
• Experience developing or evaluating ML models using Python.
• Experience applying statistical methods (hypothesis testing, regression, predictive modeling) to data.

Responsibilities

• Develop, train, and evaluate ML models to improve predictive performance for lending decisions.
• Analyze large datasets to identify patterns, develop features, and inform modeling approaches.
• Design and run experiments to test hypotheses and identify improvements.
• Collaborate with scientists and engineers to deploy models in production.
• Document methodologies and results to support reproducible workflows.

Skills

Python

ML basics

Statistics

Hypothesis testing

Education

Bachelor’s degree in CS/Engineering/Math/Stats

Advanced degree (PhD) preferred

Tools

PyTorch

TensorFlow

scikit-learn

SQL

Job description

About Upstart

At Upstart, we’re united by a mission that matters: to radically reduce the cost and complexity of borrowing for all Americans. Every day, we bring creativity, experimentation, and advanced AI to reshape access to credit, helping millions move forward financially with clarity and confidence.

As the leading AI lending marketplace, we partner with banks and credit unions to expand access to affordable credit through technology that’s both radically intelligent and deeply human. Our platform runs over one million predictions per borrower using more than 3,000 signals, powering smarter, fairer decisions for millions of customers. But the numbers only hint at the impact. Every idea, every voice, and every contribution moves us closer to a world where credit never stands between people and their financial progress.

We’re proudly digital-first, giving most Upstarters the flexibility to do their best work from wherever they thrive, alongside teammates across 80+ cities in the US and Canada. Digital-first doesn’t mean distant. We’re intentional about in‑person connection through team onsites, planning sessions, and moments that spark creativity and trust. And whether you choose to work primarily from home or collaborate in‑person from one of our offices in Columbus, Austin, the Bay Area, or New York City, you’ll have the support to work in the way that works best for you.

If you’re energized by tackling meaningful problems, excited to innovate with purpose, and motivated by work that truly matters, we’d love to hear from you.

The Team

Upstart’s Machine Learning team applies machine learning and statistical methods to improve how we evaluate risk and make lending decisions. The team combines scientific research, experimentation, and engineering to develop models that support Upstart’s mission of expanding access to affordable credit.

As an Applied Scientist at Upstart, you will develop and evaluate machine learning models that address meaningful business problems. You will collaborate with scientists, engineers, and cross‑functional partners to translate complex data into modeling improvements and measurable outcomes.

How you’ll make an impact

• Develop, train, and evaluate machine learning models to improve predictive performance and support lending decisions.
• Analyze large datasets to identify patterns, develop features, and inform modeling approaches.
• Design and execute experiments to assess model performance, validate hypotheses, and identify opportunities for improvement.
• Collaborate with scientists and engineers to implement, monitor, and refine models in production environments.
• Document methodologies, communicate findings, and contribute to reproducible scientific workflows.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Mathematics, Statistics, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.
• 0–2 years of experience in machine learning, applied statistics, or a related quantitative field.
• Experience developing or evaluating machine learning models using Python.
• Experience applying statistical methods, including hypothesis testing, regression, or predictive modeling, to quantitative datasets.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree, ideally a PhD, in mathematics, applied mathematics, statistics, physics, econometrics, operations research, computer science, or a related quantitative field.
• Knowledge of supervised learning techniques, model evaluation, and feature engineering.
• Familiarity with machine learning frameworks such as PyTorch, TensorFlow, or scikit‑learn.
• Experience working with large‑scale datasets using SQL or distributed data processing tools.
• Ability to communicate modeling approaches and experimental results to technical and nontechnical audiences.

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.

United States | Remote - Anticipated Base Salary Range

$141,500—$196,000 USD

Canada | Remote - Anticipated Base Salary Range

$130,900—$160,000 CAD

What you'll love

At Upstart, our benefits for full‑time employees are designed to support your health, financial well‑being, family, and personal growth. Here’s what you can expect:

• Competitive compensation, including base pay, bonus opportunities, and annual equity grants that vest quarterly
• Retirement benefits to help you plan for the future, including a 401(k) or Group Retirement Savings Plan with a company match of $2 for every $1 contributed, up to $15,000 annually (USD in the US, CAD in Canada)
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP) with discounted stock purchase options for eligible employees (US only)
• Comprehensive health coverage designed to support you and your family, including medical, dental, vision, and wellness resources for US and supplemental health coverage for Canada.
• Health Savings Account contributions from Upstart for eligible plans (US only)
• Income protection benefits, including life insurance and disability coverage for added financial security
• Paid time off, sick leave, and company holidays, in line with local requirements
• Paid family and parental leave to support caregiving and major life moments (duration varies by country)
• Family‑centered benefits to support fertility, parenthood, and caregiving needs
• 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 (US Only)
• 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, all‑company updates, and employee resource groups (ERGs)
• Onsite perks, including catered lunches and fully stocked micro‑kitchens when working from one of our offices in the Bay Area, Austin, Columbus, and New York City

For roles based in Canada, please note that we are not currently able to hire in Quebec.

Upstart is a proud Equal Opportunity Employer. Just as we are dedicated to improving access to affordable credit for all, we are committed to inclusive and fair hiring practices.

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 [e-mail]

https://www.upstart.com/candidate_privacy_policy