Entry Level Applied Scientist Jobs
New grad applied scientist jobs are open to recent graduates and entry level candidates with zero to two years of experience, where a strong portfolio or internship project can matter more than a long resume. Most openings are on-site and hybrid roles across Technology & Software, Artificial Intelligence, and Banking & Financial Services, with employers like TikTok, Amazon, and Upstart hiring at this level now.
Find JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 33+ Entry Level Applied Scientist jobs
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 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.
At Upstart, your base pay is one part of your total compensation package. The anticipated base salary for this position is expected to be within the below range. Your actual base pay will depend on your geographic location–with our “digital first” philosophy, Upstart uses compensation regions that vary depending on location. Individual pay is also determined by job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range for your preferred location during the hiring process.
In addition, Upstart provides employees with target bonuses, equity compensation, and generous benefits packages (including medical, dental, vision, and 401k).
United States | Remote - Anticipated Base Salary Range
$141,500—$196,000 USD
In addition, Upstart provides employees with target bonuses, equity compensation, and generous benefits packages (including medical, dental, vision, and 401k).
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 candidate_accommodations@upstart.com
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 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.
At Upstart, your base pay is one part of your total compensation package. The anticipated base salary for this position is expected to be within the below range. Your actual base pay will depend on your geographic location–with our “digital first” philosophy, Upstart uses compensation regions that vary depending on location. Individual pay is also determined by job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range for your preferred location during the hiring process.
In addition, Upstart provides employees with target bonuses, equity compensation, and generous benefits packages (including medical, dental, vision, and 401k).
United States | Remote - Anticipated Base Salary Range
$141,500—$196,000 USD
In addition, Upstart provides employees with target bonuses, equity compensation, and generous benefits packages (including medical, dental, vision, and 401k).
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 candidate_accommodations@upstart.com
See All 33 Entry Level Applied Scientist Jobs
Find roles that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find JobsEntry Level Applied Scientist Job Market
Who's Hiring
- TikTok12
- Amazon12
- Upstart2
- Apple1
Top Industries Hiring
- Technology & Software16
- Artificial Intelligence2
- Banking & Financial Services2
- Retail1
- Medical Devices1
Entry Level Applied Scientist Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get an entry level applied scientist job?
Focus on building a portfolio that demonstrates applied work: published models, Kaggle competition results, research projects, or a strong graduate thesis. Employers at this level look for hands-on evidence that you can frame a problem, run experiments, and interpret results. Internship experience in machine learning, data science, or research engineering gives you a significant edge over candidates with coursework alone.
Which companies hire entry level applied scientists?
Companies hiring entry level applied scientists right now include TikTok, Amazon, and Upstart, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Hiring at this level comes from a broad mix of technology companies, large retail and e-commerce platforms, and research-driven enterprises that maintain dedicated applied science or machine learning teams.
Are there remote entry level applied scientist jobs?
Yes, though the majority of entry level roles still expect some in-person collaboration. About 9% of entry level applied scientist openings are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, making it a realistic option for candidates who need flexibility or are relocating after graduation.
Are these new grad applied scientist jobs?
Yes. Many listings on this page are new grad and junior roles that explicitly welcome recent graduates with little or no professional experience. A new-grad-friendly posting typically accepts zero to two years of experience and treats internships, research assistantships, or a strong independent portfolio as equivalent to full-time work history.
Which industries hire the most entry level applied scientists?
Entry Level applied scientist roles concentrate in Technology & Software, Artificial Intelligence, and Banking & Financial Services, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. These sectors drive hiring at this level because they run large-scale data and modeling infrastructure that requires a steady pipeline of junior talent to execute experiments and ship production models.