Research Scientist II | JobSetuu

Description

Job Overview

• Source: Jobicy

Job Description

What you’ll do

As a Research Scientist II on the Fraud Research team, you will help improve how Pindrop detects, scores, and investigates fraud and scams across voice and IVR interactions. You will work on applied machine learning problems that directly impact fraud and scam prevention for major enterprise customers, balancing core model development with real-world investigation and analysis. In this role, you will:

• Build and improve fraud risk models and scoring systems using a combination of audio, behavioral, and metadata-based signals.
• Analyze fraud patterns across customer environments and translate findings into measurable improvements in model performance, investigation workflows, or mitigation strategies.
• Research and build a scam detection stack, from conception to realization. 
• Partner with engineering and cross-functional teams to move successful research into production and improve fraud outcomes in live environments.
• Support high-priority fraud investigations by analyzing system behavior, fraudster attack patterns, and detection gaps, then recommending practical next steps for our customers.
• Improve the quality and precision of fraud-related identity signals, including voice-based indicators and repeat-offender detection.
• Design and maintain reproducible research workflows, internal tools, and evaluation pipelines that help the team experiment efficiently and measure impact clearly.
• Contribute to technical reviews, knowledge sharing, and research documentation that helps the broader organization understand and apply your work.
• Contribute to adjacent innovation areas, including emerging AI-assisted fraud-analysis workflows, when relevant to team priorities.

Who you are

• You are persistent, curious, and scientifically rigorous, especially when working through ambiguous data, noisy signals, or fast-evolving fraud behavior.
• You are comfortable owning research workstreams from problem definition through experimentation, analysis, and recommendation.
• You communicate clearly with both technical and non-technical partners, and you can explain tradeoffs, assumptions, and results in a practical way.
• You care deeply about reproducibility, documentation, and building research that can stand up in real production settings.
• You are motivated by high-impact security and fraud problems and want your work to influence real customer outcomes.

Your skill-set

Must-Haves:

• Advanced Degree (Master’s or PhD) in Computer Science, Mathematics, Statistics, Engineering, Artificial Intelligence, or a related quantitative field, or equivalent applied research experience.
• 3+ years of professional experience in machine learning, large-language models, fraud detection, natural language processing, risk modeling, speech or signal processing, anomaly detection, or a closely related domain.
• Strong Python skills and experience building research tooling, experimentation frameworks, or model evaluation workflows.
• Hands-on experience with modern machine learning frameworks such as PyTorch, TensorFlow, or Keras.
• A track record of translating research findings into practical improvements, whether in models, decision systems, or production-facing recommendations.
• Foundational knowledge of fraud, identity, consumer scams, authentication, risk scoring, or customer security concepts.

Nice-to-Haves:

• Experience working on fraud or scam detection in voice, IVR, contact center, authentication, or adjacent trust and safety environments.
• Experience working on building and/or fine-tuning multi-modal foundation models.
• Experience improving precision and recall in real-world detection systems, including thresholding, scoring, watchlists, or entity-resolution style signals.
• Familiarity with metadata-driven risk signals such as telephony, carrier, device, account, or behavioral indicators.
• Experience with sequence modeling, event-based risk modeling, or other approaches used to detect evolving attack behavior.
• Familiarity with LLM-enabled research workflows, retrieval systems, or observability tools used to support analyst or fraud-investigation productivity.
• Working knowledge of C/C++, Go, or other production-oriented languages.

What’s in it for you

This is a high-impact opportunity to join Pindrop’s Research organization and work on fraud problems that matter in the real world. Your work will directly influence how we detect fraud, investigate suspicious behavior, and improve protection for major financial institutions and other enterprise customers.

You’ll collaborate closely with strong technical peers across research and engineering, work on meaningful applied machine learning challenges, and help shape the next generation of fraud detection capabilities at Pindrop.

What we offer

As a part of Pindrop, you’ll have a direct impact on our growing list of products and the future of security in the voice-driven economy. We hire great people and take care of them. Here’s a snapshot of the benefits we offer:

• Competitive compensation package, including RSUs (Restricted Stock Units) for all employees, so everyone shares in our long-term success.
• Remote-first environment - giving you flexibility and autonomy in how you structure your day.
• While we work flexibly, we prioritize meaningful in-person moments through regular team on-sites, company-wide events, and intentional gatherings that foster connection, collaboration, and shared success.
• Unlimited Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Generous health and welfare plans to choose from - including one employer-paid “employee-only” plan!
• Best-in-class Health Savings Account (HSA) employer contribution
• Low-cost vision and dental plans for you and your family, providing comprehensive coverage and peace of mind.
• Paid Parental Leave - Including birth, adoptive & foster parents
• One year of diaper delivery for your newest addition to the family! It’s our way of welcoming new Pindroplets to the family!
• Recurring monthly phone and internet allowance to help cover essential connectivity costs and support flexible work.
• Enhanced fertility and GLP-1 benefits to support family-building journeys and personalized health needs.
• Annual Learning & Development stipend to support your professional growth, skill-building, certifications, and continued education.

This position will be posted for 60 days after 6/26/26.
#LI-Remote

Expert Career Tips for Research Scientist II Roles

To succeed in a competitive market as a Research Scientist II, you need more than just technical skills. Here are some expert strategies to elevate your profile:

• Build a Strong Portfolio: For technical roles, a clean GitHub or a personal project site is essential. For non-technical roles, a case study portfolio demonstrating problem-solving and impact is equally valuable. Show, don't just tell, what you have achieved in your previous positions.
• Master the Narrative: When interviewing, use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers. Quantify your results wherever possible—mentioning "increased efficiency by 20%" is much more impactful than saying "improved efficiency."
• Continuous Learning: The industry moves fast. Whether it's staying updated with the latest AI tools or mastering a new management methodology, continuous professional development is key. Consider obtaining industry-recognized certifications that align with Research Scientist II requirements.
• Networking: Connect with other professionals in similar roles. Join online communities, attend webinars, and engage in meaningful discussions on professional social networks. Often, the best opportunities come through referrals and community engagement.
• Soft Skills Matter: Communication, empathy, and leadership are often the deciding factors between two equally qualified technical candidates. Cultivate these skills as they are universally valued across all industries and seniority levels.

Additionally, research the specific company's culture and values. Tailoring your application to show how you align with their mission can significantly increase your chances of moving forward in the process.

Salary & Compensation

Salary not disclosed; typically competitive for the role.

Work Arrangement

Type: On-Site

Standard business hours at the office.

Comprehensive Application Strategy & Hiring Process

Applying for a new role is a marathon, not a sprint. Follow this strategic approach to maximize your success rate:

1. Initial Research & Tailoring

Don't send the same resume to every employer. Spend at least 30 minutes researching the company. Look for recent news, their product roadmap, and their team structure. Modify your summary and core competencies to reflect the specific keywords found in the job description.

2. The Perfect Cover Letter

If the application allows for a cover letter, use it to tell a story that your resume cannot. Explain why you are passionate about this specific company and how your unique background makes you the perfect fit for the challenges they are currently facing.

3. Navigating the Multi-Stage Interview

Most modern hiring processes involve 3-5 stages. This typically includes a recruiter screen, a technical or skill-based assessment, a peer interview, and a final leadership round. Prepare for each stage differently: focus on enthusiasm and fit for the recruiter, technical depth for the assessment, and strategic vision for the leadership round.

4. Post-Interview Follow-Up

Always send a personalized thank-you note within 24 hours of each interview. Reference a specific topic discussed during the call to demonstrate your active listening and genuine interest in the role.

By following these steps, you demonstrate a high level of professionalism and attention to detail that sets you apart from the average applicant.

Typical Interview Process

1. Resume screening
2. HR call
3. Skill interview
4. Final manager interview
5. Offer

Tip: Research the company's products and culture.

Global Market Intelligence & Relocation Insights

At JobSetuu, we specialize in helping talent navigate the global job market. Here is what you need to know about the current landscape in Global and beyond:

The demand for skilled professionals is increasingly borderless. For roles based in Global, understanding the local cost of living, visa requirements (if applicable), and cultural nuances is vital. If this is a remote role, consider the time zone alignment and the asynchronous communication culture of the hiring organization.

Relocation Support: Many forward-thinking companies offer relocation packages that include moving stipends, temporary housing, and legal assistance with work permits. When evaluating an offer, look beyond the base salary—consider the total compensation package, including equity, bonuses, and healthcare benefits.

Work-Life Balance Trends: Hybrid and remote work have become standard in many regions. Research the local labor laws and common practices regarding work hours and vacation time to ensure the role aligns with your lifestyle goals.

Leveraging JobSetuu's tools can help you compare salaries across different cities and understand the "purchasing power" of your potential offer, ensuring you make an informed decision for your long-term career path.

Skills & Competency Roadmap for Professional Development

To remain competitive in Professional Development, we recommend focusing on the following core competencies over the next 12-18 months:

• Technical Mastery: Deepen your expertise in the core tools and languages relevant to your field. For developers, this might be cloud architecture; for marketers, it might be data-driven attribution modeling.
• AI Augmentation: Learn how to leverage generative AI and automation tools to increase your productivity. Understanding how to integrate these technologies into your workflow is becoming a non-negotiable skill.
• Leadership & Strategy: Even in individual contributor roles, the ability to think strategically and lead projects from inception to completion is highly valued. Focus on stakeholder management and high-level project planning.
• Data Literacy: The ability to interpret data and use it to drive decisions is essential across all business functions. Familiarize yourself with data visualization and basic analytical concepts.

By investing in these areas, you not only prepare yourself for the role you are applying for today but also build a resilient foundation for the opportunities of tomorrow.

Apply via JobSetuu

Discover your next career milestone on JobSetuu. This Research Scientist II position is part of our commitment to bringing you the most relevant and high-impact job openings globally. At JobSetuu, we simplify your job search by aggregating premier listings and providing the tools you need to stand out. Don't miss the chance to elevate your professional journey—explore more opportunities and career insights on our platform today.