Sr. Research Scientist

Yahoo serves as a trusted guide for hundreds of millions of people globally, helping them achieve their goals online through our portfolio of iconic products. For advertisers, Yahoo Advertising offers omnichannel solutions and powerful data to engage with our brands and deliver results.

A Little About Us: 

Yahoo’s back-end systems process and analyze 100’s of petabytes of data to glean insights on Yahoo products and to improve the experience for its 1B+ user base. Our team develops advanced stochastic streaming algorithms (a.k.a., sketches) that are used in these back-end systems (including external cloud systems, e.g., Google Cloud Platform) to provide analysis results orders-of-magnitude faster than traditional methods. In addition, many of these algorithms are also released to the Apache DataSketches open-source project and used by scores of companies and government agencies world-wide. Your work will directly influence product changes and you will work with very experienced engineers that have developed these advanced production-quality sketches from scratch. Along the way, you will solve problems for an Internet Pioneer that is hard to match in the industry.

Responsibilities:

• Keep abreast of current theoretical publications in the fields of sketching, streaming and sublinear algorithms.

• Translate published scientific algorithms and pseudo-code into workable prototype code in a suitable language, e.g., Python or Java.

• Characterize and understand the error & performance properties of these new algorithms.

• Work with the team on developing new algorithms or modifications of existing algorithms that can dramatically improve our ability to generate new business insights.

• Opportunistically publish research and development results in suitable scientific and/or engineering conferences/journals.

• Work with product owners, engineers, and analysts to understand Yahoo’s product goals and data analysis needs.

• Build data expertise and own data quality for allocated areas of ownership

Minimum Qualifications:

• Ph.D. in Computer Science, Physics, Math, or a related major.

• Math background should preferably include stochastic modeling, linear algebra, discrete math and combinatorics.

• Programming experience using Python, Java or C/C++.

• Experience in publishing papers in scientific journals as author or co-author.

• Strong data mindset with a deep appreciation for analyzing data to identify opportunities to improve our current product offerings.

• Excellent communication skills and ability to tell insightful stories using data.

• Experience with Google Cloud Platform and BigQuery is a plus.

The material job duties and responsibilities of this role include those listed above as well as adhering to Yahoo policies; exercising sound judgment; working effectively, safely and inclusively with others; exhibiting trustworthiness and meeting expectations; and safeguarding business operations and brand integrity.

At Yahoo, we offer flexible hybrid work options that our employees love! While most roles don’t require regular office attendance, you may occasionally be asked to attend in-person events or team sessions. You’ll always get notice to make arrangements. Your recruiter will let you know if a specific job requires regular attendance at a Yahoo office or facility. If you have any questions about how this applies to the role, just ask the recruiter!

Yahoo is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, and will not be discriminated against based on age, race, gender, color, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, disability or any other protected category. Yahoo will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with applicable law. Yahoo is dedicated to providing an accessible environment for all candidates during the application process and for employees during their employment. If you need accessibility assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability, please submit a request via the Accommodation Request Form (www.yahooinc.com/careers/contact-us.html) or call +1.866.772.3182. Requests and calls received for non-disability related issues, such as following up on an application, will not receive a response.

We believe that a diverse and inclusive workplace strengthens Yahoo and deepens our relationships. When you support everyone to be their best selves, they spark discovery, innovation and creativity. Among other efforts, our 11 employee resource groups (ERGs) enhance a culture of belonging with programs, events and fellowship that help educate, support and create a workplace where all feel welcome. Check out our diversity and inclusion (www.yahooinc.com/diversity/) page to learn more.

The compensation for this position ranges from $128,250.00 - $266,875.00/yr and will vary depending on factors such as your location, skills and experience. The compensation package may also include incentive compensation opportunities in the form of discretionary annual bonus or commissions, in addition to equity incentives. Our comprehensive benefits include healthcare, a great 401k, backup childcare, education stipends and much (much) more.

Currently work for Yahoo? Please apply on our internal career site.