At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the design and deployment of advanced ranking models for Depop’s app.
- Company: Join Depop, a vibrant community-driven fashion marketplace with over 35 million users.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, generous leave, and health benefits including mental wellbeing support.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team that values innovation and inclusivity.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in circular fashion while innovating with cutting-edge machine learning techniques.
- Qualifications: Significant experience in machine learning and proven ability to lead projects and mentor others.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 90000 £ per year.
Depop is the community-powered circular fashion marketplace where anyone can buy, sell and discover desirable secondhand fashion. With a community of over 35 million users, Depop is on a mission to make fashion circular, redefining fashion consumption. Founded in 2011, the company is headquartered in London, with offices in New York and Manchester, and in 2021 became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Etsy.
Our mission is to make fashion circular and to create an inclusive environment where everyone is welcome, no matter who they are or where they’re from. Just as our platform connects people globally, we believe our workplace should reflect the diversity of the communities we serve. We thrive on the power of different perspectives and experiences, knowing they drive innovation and bring us closer to our users. We’re proud to be an equal opportunity employer, providing employment opportunities without regard to age, ethnicity, religion or belief, gender identity, sex, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy or maternity, marriage and civil partnership, or any other protected status.
Depop is looking for a talented Staff ML Scientist to join our Ranking ML team in the UK. You will work alongside a cross-functional team of Product Managers, ML Engineers, and fellow ML Scientists, helping build and maintain ranking models to power Depop’s app, serving millions of personalised results to users daily.
As a staff-level member of the team, you will be expected to set the technical vision, lead high-impact initiatives, and mentor and coach others to drive innovation at scale, while working across multiple domains and stakeholders.
Responsibilities- Lead the design and deployment of advanced ranking models for Depop’s entire app, covering personalised recommendations, search results and other surfaces.
- Collaborate closely with cross-functional partners (product, engineering, data) to define problems, translate them into scalable solutions, and deliver measurable business outcomes.
- Lead the end-to-end lifecycle of ML projects: from ideation, data acquisition, feature engineering, training, and evaluation to deployment and ongoing iteration.
- Drive innovation in ranking by researching and integrating emerging ML techniques, frameworks, and tooling, while contributing technical expertise to long-term product and data strategy.
- Mentor, coach, and set technical direction within the Ranking ML team, helping others grow and innovate.
- Act as a thought leader in the ranking space, sharing learnings internally, engaging with the wider ML community, and showcasing our work externally.
- Significant experience working as a Machine Learning Scientist, with a proven track record of delivering and scaling models that solve complex, real-world problems with measurable business impact.
- Proven track record in designing and optimizing learning-to-rank models.
- Deep understanding of machine learning concepts and frameworks.
- Proven ability to productionize ML models and pipelines: from prototyping to deployment, with strong experience in monitoring, iteration, and troubleshooting.
- Advanced programming skills in Python and familiarity with ML frameworks such as PyTorch, TensorFlow, or similar.
- Experience leading projects and mentoring engineers or scientists, with a track record of fostering team growth and technical excellence.
- Excellent communication skills: able to bridge technical and non-technical stakeholders and influence decision making.
- Committed to responsible AI practices, including attention to ethics, fairness, and inclusivity.
- Health + Mental Wellbeing: PMI and cash plan healthcare access with Bupa, subsidised counselling and coaching with Self Space, Cycle to Work scheme, Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) for 24/7 confidential support, Mental Health First Aiders across the business for support and signposting.
- Work/Life Balance: 25 days annual leave with option to carry over up to 5 days, 1 company-wide day off per quarter, Impact hours: Up to 2 days additional paid leave per year for volunteering, fully paid 4 week sabbatical after completion of 5 years of consecutive service with Depop.
- Flexible Working: MyMode hybrid-working model with Flex, Office Based, and Remote options.
- Family Life: 18 weeks of paid parental leave for full-time regular employees, IVF leave, shared parental leave, and paid emergency parent/carer leave.
- Learn + Grow: Budgets for conferences, learning subscriptions, and more, mentorship and programmes to upskill employees.
- Your Future: Life Insurance (financial compensation of 3x your salary), pension matching up to 6% of qualifying earnings.
- Depop Extras: Employees enjoy free shipping on their Depop sales within the UK, special milestones are celebrated with gifts and rewards!
Staff Machine Learning Scientist, Ranking employer: Dormont Manufacturing Co
Depop is an exceptional employer that champions a diverse and inclusive work environment, reflecting the vibrant community it serves. With a strong focus on employee growth, the company offers extensive benefits such as flexible working arrangements, generous parental leave, and opportunities for professional development through mentorship and learning budgets. Located in London, Depop not only provides a dynamic workplace but also fosters innovation and collaboration among its talented team members, making it a rewarding place to build a meaningful career in machine learning.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Staff Machine Learning Scientist, Ranking
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to folks in the industry, especially those at Depop or similar companies. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insights that a job description just can't.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio showcasing your machine learning projects, especially any ranking models you've worked on. This is your chance to shine and demonstrate your expertise beyond the CV.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for the interview by diving deep into Depop's mission and values. Think about how your experience aligns with their goal of making fashion circular and fostering inclusivity. It’ll show you’re genuinely interested!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take that extra step to connect directly with us.
We think you need these skills to ace Staff Machine Learning Scientist, Ranking
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Staff Machine Learning Scientist role. Highlight your experience with ranking models and any relevant projects you've led. We want to see how your skills align with our mission at Depop!
Showcase Your Impact:When detailing your past experiences, focus on the measurable outcomes of your work. Did you improve model performance or user engagement? We love seeing how your contributions have made a difference in previous roles.
Be Authentic:Let your personality shine through in your application. We value diversity and unique perspectives, so don’t be afraid to share your story and what drives you in the field of machine learning. We’re all about creating an inclusive environment!
Apply Through Our Website:For the best chance of success, make sure to apply directly through our website. This helps us keep track of your application and ensures it gets to the right people. Plus, it’s super easy to do!
How to prepare for a job interview at Dormont Manufacturing Co
✨Know Your ML Models Inside Out
Make sure you can discuss your experience with designing and optimising learning-to-rank models. Be ready to explain how you've tackled complex problems in the past and the measurable impact your solutions had on the business.
✨Showcase Your Collaboration Skills
Depop values teamwork, so prepare examples of how you've worked with cross-functional teams. Highlight specific projects where you collaborated with product managers or engineers to deliver successful outcomes.
✨Demonstrate Your Technical Leadership
As a staff-level candidate, you'll need to show your ability to mentor and lead. Share experiences where you've guided others, set technical direction, or driven innovation within your team.
✨Communicate Clearly and Effectively
You’ll be bridging the gap between technical and non-technical stakeholders, so practice explaining complex concepts in simple terms. Prepare to discuss how you’ve influenced decision-making in previous roles.