Senior Applied ML Researcher, Advertising

eBay; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 135,000 - 206,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) eligibility

Paid time off

Parental leave

Medical benefits

Job summary

eBay is seeking an Applied Researcher to build ML models guiding advertisers to optimize campaigns. You will work with large-scale data, develop predictive systems, and provide actionable insights to improve ad performance.

You will collaborate with product managers, engineers, and other researchers to deploy solutions, publish findings, and mentor junior teammates, while staying current with ML trends in advertising.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. or M.S. in CS, Statistics, Mathematics, or related field focused on ML or data science.
• 5+ years of experience in applied research or ML model development.
• Strong programming in Python or Scala; experience with TensorFlow/PyTorch.
• Experience with big data technologies such as Hadoop or Spark.
• Excellent communication and data analysis skills.

Responsibilities

• Design, implement, validate and deploy ML models tailored to advertising applications.
• Analyze large production data to produce business insights for ML solutions.
• Collaborate with product managers, engineers, and researchers to integrate insights into advertising products.
• Stay updated with ML and advertising tech; publish findings and contribute to research communities.
• Mentor junior researchers and data analysts; share standard ML methodologies.

Skills

Python

Scala

TensorFlow

PyTorch

SQL

Hadoop

Spark

Data analysis

NLP

Education

Ph.D. or M.S. in CS/Statistics/Math

Job description

Advertising is one of the fastest growing areas in eBay which in some ways, is defining the future of eBay. Digital advertising as an industry is growing rapidly, and the landscape is shifting as ecommerce advertisers are finding better value with ecommerce companies like eBay. As they shift budget from the duopoly of Google and Facebook, it builds a huge opportunity for eBay. Advertising is also amplifying eBay’s ecommerce by providing a tool for our sellers to move inventory and for buyers, by surfacing high quality items.

This team focuses on building ML/data services for our advertiser sellers, to guide them ways to optimize for their ad budget and goals, for example by recommending the right inventory, keywords, budget and Ads bid rate to apply for their campaigns, diagnose issue while providing solutions, and eventually create/optimize campaigns automatically for advertisers for the best performance. This is a relatively new area but with a very high business potential and need. It would allow you to work with extensive amounts of data, and use a variety of data science techniques.

As an Applied Researcher within our Advertising team, you will play a pivotal role in developing machine learning models and algorithms to guide advertisers optimally. This role will also include a scope positioned around data analysis. Your work will directly impact our guidance systems, enhancing ad performance and delivering actionable insights. You will lead our efforts in data analysis, uncovering trends, and driving data-informed decisions that support our advertisers' success.

What you will accomplish:

• Machine Learning Development: Design, implement, validate and deploy machine learning models tailored to advertising applications. Focus on developing systems that provide actionable guidance to advertisers, optimizing ad performance and engagement.
• Data Understanding: Analyze large volume of production data to produce business insights and identify potential opportunities for ML solutions
• Cross-functional Collaboration: Work closely with product managers, engineers, and other researchers to integrate machine learning insights into our advertising products. Ensure that our advertiser guidance systems are aligned with user needs and business goals.
• Innovation and Research: Stay abreast of the latest developments in machine learning and advertising technologies. Chip in to internal and external research communities by publishing findings, attending conferences, and participating in collaborative projects.
• Technical Mentoring: Guide junior researchers and data analysts. Share knowledge and standard methodologies in machine learning and data analysis to uplift the team's capabilities.

What you will bring:

• Education: Ph.D. or M.S. in Computer Science, Statistics, Mathematics, or a related field with a focus on machine learning or data science.
• Experience: 5+ years of experience in applied research or development of machine learning models, data analysis, preferably with the advertising industry or a closely related field, i.e. search, recommender system and NLP.
• Technical Proficiency: Strong programming skills in Python, Scala, or similar languages. Expertise in machine learning frameworks (e.g., TensorFlow, PyTorch) and experience with big data technologies (e.g., Hadoop, Spark).
• Analytical Skills: Outstanding ability to analyze large datasets, identify trends, and derive actionable insights. Expertise in data mining and segmentation. SQL is a must.
• Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to convey sophisticated technical concepts to non-technical partners.

The pay range for this position at commencement of employment in California, Washington, or New York is expected in the range below.

$135,200 - $205,700

Base pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including location, skills, and experience. The total compensation package for this position may also include other elements, including a target bonus and restricted stock units (as applicable) in addition to a full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits (including 401(k) eligibility and various paid time off benefits, such as PTO and parental leave). Details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided if an employee receives an offer of employment.

If hired, employees will be in an “at-will position” and the Company reserves the right to modify base salary (as well as any other discretionary payment or compensation program) at any time, including for reasons related to individual performance, Company or individual department/team performance, and market factors.

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eBay is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, and disability, or other legally protected status. If you have a need that requires accommodation, please contact us at [e-mail]. We will make every effort to respond to your request for accommodation as soon as possible. View our accessibility statement to learn more about eBay's commitment to ensuring digital accessibility for people with disabilities.