Staff Data Scientist

PayPal • Chicago, IL

3d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Company PayPal has been revolutionizing commerce globally for more than 25 years. Creating innovative experiences that make moving money, selling, and shopping simple, personalized, and secure, PayPal empowers consumers and businesses in approximately 200 markets to join and thrive in the global economy. We operate a global, two-sided network at scale that connects hundreds of millions of merchants and consumers. We help merchants and consumers connect, transact, and complete payments, whether they are online or in person. PayPal is more than a connection to third-party payment networks. We provide proprietary payment solutions accepted by merchants that enable the completion of payments on our platform on behalf of our customers. We offer our customers the flexibility to use their accounts to purchase and receive payments for goods and services, as well as the ability to transfer and withdraw funds. We enable consumers to exchange funds more safely with merchants using a variety of funding sources, which may include a bank account, a PayPal or Venmo account balance, PayPal and Venmo branded credit products, a credit card, a debit card, certain cryptocurrencies, or other stored value products such as gift cards, and eligible credit card rewards. Our PayPal, Venmo, and Xoom products also make it safer and simpler for friends and family to transfer funds to each other. We offer merchants an end-to-end payments solution that provides authorization and settlement capabilities, as well as instant access to funds and payouts. We also help merchants connect with their customers, process exchanges and returns, and manage risk. We enable consumers to engage in cross-border shopping and merchants to extend their global reach while reducing the complexity and friction involved in enabling cross-border trade. Our beliefs are the foundation for how we conduct business every day. We live each day guided by our core values of Inclusion, Innovation, Collaboration, and Wellness. Together, our values ensure that we work together as one global team with our customers at the center of everything we do – and they push us to ensure we take care of ourselves, each other, and our communities. Job Summary: Partner with fraud fighting teams to optimize existing detection models and unlock deeper insights from fraud data to enhance decision-making capabilities. Analyze model performance, identify improvement opportunities, and translate complex data patterns into actionable intelligence that helps fraud investigators better understand emerging threats and customer behaviors. Focus on maximizing the effectiveness of current fraud detection infrastructure while providing analytical support that empowers fraud teams to make more informed, data-driven decisions.

Requirements

• 5+ years relevant experience and a Bachelor’s degree OR Any equivalent combination of education and experience.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in financial services, payments, or fraud prevention environments with understanding of fraud attack vectors, regulatory requirements, and industry best practices
• Proven track record of working collaboratively with cross-functional business teams to translate complex analytical findings into actionable insights and strategic recommendations

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage data science projects, ensuring timely delivery and alignment with business goals.
• Develop and maintain data models, algorithms, and reporting systems to support data analysis and decision-making.
• Analyze complex datasets to identify trends, patterns, and insights that drive strategic initiatives.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to understand data needs and provide actionable insights.
• Ensure data quality and integrity through regular audits and validation processes.
• Mentor and guide junior data scientists, fostering a culture of continuous learning and improvement.

Benefits

• At PayPal, we’re committed to building an equitable and inclusive global economy. And we can’t do this without our most important asset-you. That’s why we offer comprehensive, choice-based programs, to support all aspects of personal wellbeing—physical, emotional, and financial—delivering meaningful value where it matters most. We strive to create a flexible, balanced work culture with a holistic approach to benefits, including generous paid time off, healthcare coverage for you and your family, and resources to create financial security and support your mental health.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level