Data Scientist

Who you are

• You have hands-on data science experience
• Bring practical Python and Git capability
• Understand common statistical-learning models and machine-learning algorithms for classification and regression
• Have sound statistical fundamentals, including hypothesis testing and experimental design
• Can independently take an ambiguous problem from discussion to a useful model or analysis
• Communicate clearly and confidently with technical and non-technical stakeholders
• Build alignment when there are differing views, and enjoy working collaboratively to move things forward
• Are curious, practical and comfortable operating with limited hand-holding
• Work effectively across business, Product and Engineering partners
• Experience in consumer credit, lending, credit cards or a closely related credit-risk domain
• Exposure to sequence-based deep-learning or transformer-style models
• Experience building production-grade Python microservices

What the job involves

• Our Data Science team helps Zopa make better credit decisions. We partner closely with Credit Strategy, Product and Engineering to turn ambiguous business problems into robust models, clear analysis and practical solutions
• We are growing a dedicated, product-facing data science capability focused predominantly on credit. The team will help rebuild and expand the models that support consumer-credit decisions, while increasing the sophistication of how we model risk, value and outcomes
• This is a hands-on individual-contributor role in a lean, collaborative environment. You will have real ownership, with space to shape the work and build alignment across the people needed to make it happen
• We are hiring at both mid and senior level, and will assess candidates at the level that best reflects their experience, technical depth and scope of impact
• Take ambiguous credit-related questions from stakeholder discussion through to practical modelling and analysis
• Build, improve and maintain models that support consumer-credit decisions
• Work on flagship risk models and broader value-driver models, including revenue, profit prediction and customer lifetime value
• Use Python and sound statistical judgement to develop classification and regression solutions
• Partner with Credit Strategy to understand priorities and create useful, well-framed solutions
• Collaborate with Product and Engineering to sequence work and support productionisation
• Explain technical choices clearly, build consensus where views differ and help move decisions forward
• Own your problems and delivery, while contributing to a low-ego team that works together

Benefits

• 2-3 days a week in the office. We value face-to-face collaboration and a good work-life balance.
• You'll also have the option of working from abroad for up to 120 days a year!* But no matter where you are, we’ll make sure you’ve got everything you need to thrive, both in your work and home life, from day one (*Subject to having the right to work in the country of choice)
• On top of regular bank holidays, you’ll get 25 days holiday as standard, rising up to 30 days as your tenure grows. For any teams that operate on a bank holiday, you may be offered an alternative day off.
• As a Zopian, you can opt into our private medical insurance through Vitality Health. This’ll give you access to private medical care, discounted gym memberships, and other rewards such as savings at various retailers for maintaining an active lifestyle. You also get free Headspace access to help with the all-important mindfulness we need
• 16-weeks full pay for all new parents. We offer enhanced maternity and paternity pay to employees wishing to start a family. New parents, including those adopting, are eligible to take up to 16-weeks leave at full pay.