
Staff Data Scientist - Long Term Impact
Airbnb · United States
- Hybrid
- Full-time
- $242,000 / year
- United States
Tailored resume — keyword-matched to this role.
Hiring manager — we find who's hiring.
Intro email — drafted to reach them directly.
Job highlights
- Develop long-term impact estimation frameworks.
- Apply causal inference methods to product changes.
- Work on high-impact data science problems.
- Collaborate with technical and non-technical teams.
- Utilize advanced quantitative skills and programming.
About the role
About Airbnb
Airbnb was born in 2007 when two hosts welcomed three guests to their San Francisco home, and has since grown to over 5 million hosts who have welcomed over 2 billion guest arrivals in almost every country across the globe. Every day, hosts offer unique stays and experiences that make it possible for guests to connect with communities in a more authentic way.The Community You Will Join
The mission of the Core Data Science team is to ensure that we are leveraging state of the art science at Airbnb for the highest possible impact on the business and the community. We do that by building reusable tools and models that empower DS teams across the organization; and by tackling the most technically challenging, high impact data science problems the company faces.The Difference You Will Make
Estimating the causal impact of product changes is a core function of data science at Airbnb. This is typically done through short term experiments or quasi-experiments. However, ultimately we are interested not in maximizing the short term impact of what we do, but rather optimizing for the long term. Doing this well requires accurately estimating the long term impact of platform changes through frameworks that connect short-term outcomes to long-term impact. In this role, you will develop and improve our frameworks for long-term impact estimation and own the most important estimation problems you identify. We are looking for someone that can develop the science and ensure it is fitted to Airbnb's problem space and stakeholder needs. Success is better long-term impact estimation in practice, not just in theory.A Typical Day
- Develop causal estimates for long-term impact of short-term metric movements.
- Build frameworks for estimating how the impact of product changes evolves over time.
- Create frameworks and tooling to evaluate the heterogeneous impact of product changes.
- Develop and apply causal inference methods, including experimental, econometric regressions, and quasi-experimental methods to measure a wide range of platform/product impacts.
Your Expertise
- Advanced degree in a quantitative field, e.g. Operations Research, Economics, Mathematics, Physics.
- Proven ability to design analytical solutions to complex problems with real-world applications.
- Familiarity with recent developments in causal inference.
- 6+ years (with Ph.D) or 8+ yrs (with Masters) of experience of working or doing research in one or more experimentation / causal inference domains.
- Strong programming (R, Python / Scala / Java / C++ or equivalent) skills.
- Versatility to communicate clearly with both technical and non-technical audiences.
- Publications or presentations in recognized Data Science journals/conferences is a plus.
Your Location
This position is US - Remote Eligible. The role may include occasional work at an Airbnb office or attendance at offsites, as agreed to with your manager. While the position is Remote Eligible, you must live in a state where Airbnb, Inc. has a registered entity. Click here for the up-to-date list of excluded states. This list is continuously evolving, so please check back with us if the state you live in is on the exclusion list. If your position is employed by another Airbnb entity, your recruiter will inform you what states you are eligible to work from.Our Commitment To Inclusion & Belonging
Airbnb is committed to working with the broadest talent pool possible. We believe diverse ideas foster innovation and engagement, and allow us to attract creatively-led people, and to develop the best products, services and solutions. All qualified individuals are encouraged to apply. We strive to also provide a disability inclusive application and interview process. If you are a candidate with a disability and require reasonable accommodation in order to submit an application, please contact us at: reasonableaccommodations@airbnb.com. Please include your full name, the role you’re applying for and the accommodation necessary to assist you with the recruiting process. We ask that you only reach out to us if you are a candidate whose disability prevents you from being able to complete our online application.How We'll Take Care Of You
Our job titles may span more than one career level. The actual base pay is dependent upon many factors, such as: training, transferable skills, work experience, business needs and market demands. The base pay range is subject to change and may be modified in the future. This role may also be eligible for bonus, equity, benefits, and Employee Travel Credits.Pay Range
$200,000—$242,000 USDKey skills/competency
Staff Data Scientist, Causal Inference, Long-Term Impact Estimation, Experimentation, Quasi-Experimental Methods, Econometrics, Regression Analysis, Python, R, Data Science Tools.Skills & topics
- Data Scientist
- Staff Data Scientist
- Causal Inference
- Experimentation
- Quasi-Experimental Methods
- Econometrics
- Regression Analysis
- Long-Term Impact Estimation
- Python
- R
- Quantitative Analysis
- Data Science
How to get hired
- Tailor your resume: Highlight experience in causal inference, experimental design, and long-term impact estimation, matching keywords from the Staff Data Scientist role description.
- Showcase your impact: Quantify achievements in previous roles, demonstrating your ability to solve complex problems and drive business value with data.
- Prepare for technical interviews: Review causal inference techniques, statistical modeling, and programming skills in Python or R. Practice explaining complex concepts clearly.
- Demonstrate communication skills: Be ready to articulate your thought process and findings to both technical and non-technical stakeholders during the interview process.
- Research Airbnb's mission: Understand Airbnb's commitment to community and long-term impact to align your answers with the company's values.
Technical preparation
Master causal inference and experimental design.,Strengthen Python or R programming skills.,Practice econometric and regression techniques.,Develop frameworks for impact estimation.
Behavioral questions
Describe a complex problem you solved.,How do you estimate long-term impact?,Explain a technical concept simply.,How do you collaborate with stakeholders?
Frequently asked questions
- What specific causal inference methods are most relevant for this Staff Data Scientist role at Airbnb?
- For this Staff Data Scientist position at Airbnb, the most relevant causal inference methods include experimental designs (like A/B testing), quasi-experimental methods, econometric regressions, and frameworks for estimating long-term impact from short-term metrics. Familiarity with recent developments in these areas is highly valued.
- How does Airbnb define 'long-term impact' in the context of product changes for a Data Scientist?
- Airbnb defines 'long-term impact' as the sustained effect of product changes beyond immediate outcomes. This role focuses on developing frameworks that accurately connect short-term metric movements to these enduring impacts, optimizing for sustained value rather than just immediate gains.
- What programming languages are essential for the Staff Data Scientist role at Airbnb?
- Strong programming skills are essential. The job description explicitly mentions R and Python, and also lists Scala, Java, or C++ as equivalent alternatives. Proficiency in at least one of these, particularly Python or R, is expected.
- Is this Staff Data Scientist position remote, and what are the location requirements?
- Yes, this Staff Data Scientist position is US Remote Eligible. However, candidates must reside in a state where Airbnb, Inc. has a registered entity. Occasional work at an Airbnb office or attendance at offsites may be required.
- What kind of advanced degree is preferred for the Staff Data Scientist at Airbnb?
- An advanced degree in a quantitative field is required for this Staff Data Scientist role. Preferred fields include Operations Research, Economics, Mathematics, or Physics. The experience requirement varies based on whether you have a Master's or Ph.D.
- How important are publications or conference presentations for this Staff Data Scientist application?
- While not strictly required, publications or presentations in recognized Data Science journals or conferences are considered a plus for this Staff Data Scientist position. They can help demonstrate expertise and engagement within the broader data science community.
- What is the expected experience level for a Staff Data Scientist at Airbnb?
- The experience requirement for this Staff Data Scientist role is at least 6 years of relevant work or research experience with a Ph.D., or 8 years of experience with a Master's degree. This experience should be in domains like experimentation or causal inference.