Staff Applied Scientist

Job Title: Staff Applied Scientist Company: Upstart Job Category: Machine Learning Roles & Responsibilities: 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. Upstart's Unsecured Underwriting Machine Learning team develops and improves the models that inform credit decisions for our unsecured lending products. The team conducts machine learning research, evaluates model performance, and partners closely with Engineering teams to translate promising ideas into scalable model improvements. As an Applied Scientist, you will research and implement enhancements to Upstart's core unsecured underwriting model. Your work will directly influence credit decisioning and help the team increase the pace of research while maintaining the rigor, reliability, and responsible oversight required of production underwriting models. * Research machine learning and statistical approaches that improve the predictive performance of unsecured underwriting models. * Design, implement, and evaluate model enhancements using rigorous experimentation and validation methods. * Analyze model performance and downstream effects to confirm that proposed changes improve decisioning reliably. * Partner with various Engineering teams to support technical reviews, implementation, and deployment. * Translate research findings into clear recommendations, documented methodologies, and production\-ready solutions. Position location This role is available in the following locations: Remote For roles based in Canada, please note that we are not currently able to hire in Quebec. Work Location: Toronto, ON, Canada Availability: Full time

Minimum Qualifications * Graduate degree in mathematics, applied mathematics, statistics, physics, econometrics, operations research, computer science, or a related quantitative field. * 2\+ years of experience conducting machine learning, statistical modeling, or applied quantitative research in an academic or industry setting. * Experience developing and evaluating machine learning or statistical models using Python. * Demonstrated knowledge of probability, statistics, and machine learning methods. * Experience designing experiments or validation analyses to assess model accuracy, reliability, or predictive performance. Preferred Qualifications Time zone requirements The team operates on the East/West coast time zones. * 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 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* Key Skills: Machine Learning, Python, Feature Engineering Salary: CAD 199500 - 276000 per yearly