Principal Applied Scientist - Catalog/Search Ranking (all genders)

THE ROLE & THE TEAM

The Ranking team at Zalando assists customers in their fashion discovery journey and helps them find what they are looking for. We are developing the next generation of our discovery systems, utilising state-of-the-art Deep Learning, Transformer-Based models and Reinforcement Learning, to create highly personalised and engaging customer experiences by optimizing our ranking algorithms for the Search and Catalog experiences.

As a Senior Principal Applied Scientist, you will address challenging fashion problems using cutting-edge approaches. You will contribute to drive our scientific roadmap, applying your scientific capabilities and in collaboration with a team of exceptional scientists and engineers developing models and cutting-edge machine learning products that enhance the experience of over 53 million customers.

INCLUSIVE BY DESIGN

If you think you have what it takes, we encourage you to apply even if you don't meet every single requirement. You may just be the right candidate for this or other roles!

At Zalando, our vision is to be the leading pan-European ecosystem for fashion and lifestyle e-commerce – one that thrives on diversity and is truly inclusive by design. We believe that diverse teams fuel innovation and creativity, and we actively seek out talent from all backgrounds.

We actively seek to reduce bias in our hiring and employment processes, focusing on your qualifications, skills, and contributions. To support this, we kindly ask that you refrain from including personal details such as your photo, age, or marital status in your CV, ensuring a fair and equitable evaluation based solely on your abilities and potential.

We are committed to providing an exceptional and accessible candidate experience for everyone. If you require any accommodations to support you throughout the hiring process, please let us know – we are here to assist you.

Discover more about our commitment to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace: https://jobs.zalando.com/en/our-culture/diversity-and-inclusion

WHAT WE’D LOVE YOU TO DO (AND LOVE DOING

• Utilise your extensive scientific experience in researching, deploying, and architecting machine learning and deep learning solutions, particularly in Deep Learning, Transformer-Based Models, Multi-objective optimisation models and Reinforcement learning to enhance the conversion journey of millions of our customers through product selection and ranking. Collaborate with multiple teams to create a cutting-edge science stack that aligns with the product strategy and drive architectural and design principles.

• Develop long-term roadmaps for research topics that address concrete business goals. As part of the leadership team, be the sparring partner and trusted advisor for Zalando senior leadership and advise on investments in strategic direction and make or buy decisions.

• Act as a mentor and guide to senior scientists, and actively share knowledge and expertise within Zalando’s science community.

• Forge close partnerships with applied science leaders and product managers, to deliver state-of-the-art machine learning solutions to our customers and uncover new opportunities for growth. This includes driving and delivering delivery projects with high uncertainty in production, applying the scientific approach to solve complex challenges, and communicating and aligning with other teams, stakeholders, and senior leadership.

• You will support and work on deploying, developing, implementing, testing, and researching ML models for personalisation, ranking, recommendations for our Search and Catalog Experience.

WE’D LOVE TO MEET YOU IF

• PhD in Machine Learning, Control Theory, Operations Research, or related fields (or equivalent experience), accompanied by 8+ years of industry experience, especially in deep reinforcement learning, multi-armed bandits, or large-scale sequential decision-making systems, ideally applied to content selection, personalization, or ranking in feed-based products.

• Experience shaping the scientific roadmap of teams in products that span across multiple areas and working with senior Applied Science leaders. Ability to discover new business opportunities collaborating with product, science, and engineering managers and solve business problems through scientific solutions.

• Extensive track record of addressing real-world problems using machine learning throughout the entire product cycle, and raises department and Zalando’s best practice in methods, algorithms and technology, including architecture, design patterns, and research roadmaps.

• Authority on deep learning and extensive track record in leveraging research to advance the state of the art, including a publication records.

• Extensive hands-on experience in deep learning with proficiency in Python and frameworks like PyTorch or TensorFlow for RL implementations. Proficiency in cloud computing platforms such as AWS is also required.

OUR OFFER

Zalando provides a range of benefits, here’s an overview of what you can expect. Ask your Talent Acquisition Partner to learn more about what we offer.

• 27 days of holiday a year to start for full-time employees (+1 day for every calendar year up to 30 days)

• 2 paid volunteering days a year

• Hybrid working model with up to 60% remote per week, actual practice is up to each team to best support their collaboration

• Work from abroad for up to 30 working days a year

• Employee shares program

• 40% off fashion and beauty products sold and shipped by Zalando, 30% off Lounge by Zalando, discounts from external partners

• Relocation assistance available (subject to prior agreement)

• Family services, including counseling and support

• Health and wellbeing options (including Wellhub, formerly Gympass)

• Mental health support and coaching available

• Drive your development through our training platform and biannual peer-to-peer review