Senior Data Scientist, Fraud Prevention

About this role

Responsibilities

• Fraud prevention is an ever-evolving puzzle, making it one of the most rewarding and impactful areas in fintech. At GoCardless, our Fraud Prevention team develops the intelligent systems that protect our platform, our merchants, and their customers.
• As a Senior Data Scientist, you will guide the design and delivery of models that operate in real time across our global payment network. You’ll work at the intersection of machine learning, graph-based detection, and behavioural modelling to stay ahead of changing patterns turning research into production systems that make a tangible difference in the fight against financial crime.
• You’ll collaborate closely with Engineers, Fraud Analysts, and Product Managers to help shape the technical roadmap as we expand into new markets. Our stack is centred around Google Cloud Platform and Vertex AI, using Python, SQL, and BigQuery to build and support high-performance models at scale.
• Contribute to the full model lifecycle, from initial discovery and feature engineering through to production, experimentation, and continuous monitoring.
• Design and refine real-time ML systems that reduce false positives and ensure a smooth, secure experience for legitimate customers.
• Foster a responsive feedback loop, adapting models as patterns evolve to ensure our defences remain robust and effective.
• Help shape the technical direction of fraud prevention ML at GoCardless, exploring new approaches as we grow globally.
• Support the team’s growth through technical mentorship, knowledge sharing, and a commitment to high-quality code.
• What excites you
• Solving complex, dynamic problems: Developing systems that can adapt and respond to changing environments.
• End-to-end ownership: Seeing a project through from a conceptual business need to a live, impactful solution.
• Strategic influence: Contributing to the ML roadmap and helping determine what we build next, rather than just how we build it.
• Holistic Data Science: Engaging in deep-dive analysis, prototyping, and live experimentation.
• Modern Infrastructure: Building production-grade models on GCP and Vertex AI, with the flexibility to explore advanced architectures.
• What excites us
• You hold a degree (or PhD) in a STEM discipline, or bring equivalent depth through commercial experience.
• You have hands-on experience with modelling approaches such as deep learning, graph-based methods, or sequence models. While fintech experience is great, we value transferable skills from fields like cybersecurity or risk modelling.
• You have a track record of deploying models in production that create measurable value.
• You can translate complex ML concepts into clear, practical solutions for stakeholders across the business.
• You enjoy writing clean code and helping the team thrive through thoughtful reviews and shared learning.
• The Good Stuff!
• Wellbeing: Dedicated support and medical cover to keep you healthy.
• Work Away Scheme: Work from anywhere for up to 90 days in any 12-month period.
• Hybrid Working: Our hybrid model offers flexibility, with in-office days determined by your team.
• Equity: All permanently employed GeeCees get equity to share in our success.
• Parental leave: Tailored leave to support your life's great adventure.
• Time off: Annual holiday leave based on your location, supplemented by 3 volunteer days and 4 wellness days.
• Life at GoCardless
• We're an organisation defined by our values; We start with why before we begin any project, to ensure it’s aligned with our mission. We make it happen, working with urgency and taking personal accountability for getting things done. We act with integrity, always. We care deeply about what we do and we know it's essential that we be humble whilst we do it. Our Values form part of the GoCardless DNA, and are used to not only help us nurture and develop our culture, but to deliver impactful work that will help us to achieve our vision.
• Diversity & Inclusion
• We’re building the payment network of the future, and to achieve our goal, we need a diverse team with a range of perspectives and experiences. As of July 2024, here’s where we stand:
• 45% identify as women
• 23% identify as Black, Asian, Mixed, or Other
• 10% identify as LGBTQIA+
• 9% identify as neurodiverse
• 2% identify as disabled
• If you want to learn more, you can read about our Employee Resource Groups and objectives here as well as our latest D&I Report
• Sustainability at GoCardless
• We’re committed to reducing our environmental impact and leaving a sustainable world for future generations. As co-founders of the Tech Zero coalition, we’re working towards a climate-positive future. Check out our sustainability action plan here.
• Find out more about Life at GoCardless via X, Instagram and LinkedIn.