Data Scientist, Research & Insights, Small Security – USDS at TikTok – Mountain View

Responsibilities

About TikTok US Data Security
TikTok is the leading destination for short-form mobile video. Our mission is to inspire creativity and bring joy. US Data Security (“USDS”) is TikTok’s US subsidiary. This new, security-first division was created to bring greater focus and governance to our data protection policies and content assurance protocols to keep US users safe. Our focus is on providing oversight and protection of the TikTok platform and US user data so that millions of Americans can continue to use TikTok to learn something new, earn a living, express themselves creatively, or be entertained. The teams within USDS that deliver on this commitment every day span Trust & Safety, Security & Privacy, Engineering, User & Product Ops, Corporate Functions, and more.

Why you should join us
Creation is at the core of TikTok’s purpose. Our platform is built to help imagination flourish. This goes double for the teams that make TikTok possible.
Together we inspire creativity and bring joy. A mission we all believe in and live every day.
For us, every challenge, no matter how difficult, is an opportunity; to learn, innovate and grow as one team. Status quo? Never. Courage? Always.
At TikTok, we create and grow together, creating impact—for ourselves, our business, and the communities we serve.
Join us.

About the team
Investigations and Insights is a one-stop-shop for US market investigations, from which we develop global solutions. Our subject matter experts discover and investigate an issue, identifying high-confidence signals that our data analysts and scientists translate into complex queries that determine the prevalence of a particular issue and enable further investigation of the threat. We build detection pipelines in collaboration with automation teams to surface malicious content. Finally, we identify clear, actionable recommendations for cross-functional partners to strengthen moderation, policies, and product strategies.

Research and Insights Data scientists in this role may be exposed to malicious content as part of their core daily duties, but also during project work, in response to escalation requests, or by chance.
Some of the content viewed violates our Community Guidelines. This includes bullying, hate speech, child abuse, sexual abuse, torture, bestiality, self-harm, suicide, and murder.

In order to improve collaboration and cross-functional partnerships, among other things, our organization currently operates a hybrid work schedule that requires employees to work in the office 3 days per week, or as directed by their manager/department. We evaluate our hybrid work model regularly and specific requirements may change at any time.

Responsibilities
– Work with a team of experts that not only responds to known bad actors, but also proactively seeks out and identifies potential threats, so they can develop scalable defenses to keep them out.
– Identify deceptive behavior from threat actors, collect and analyze signals through data analytics, and collaborate with engineers to improve detection models and develop data-driven mitigation strategies. Develop and test predictive models of feature abuse.
– Behavior and tactics of data mining threat actors.
– Actively strengthen standard operating procedures for intelligence gathering and investigations.
– Work cross-functionally with product managers, program managers, operations teams, policy officers, and communications teams to identify gaps in current threat response processes, such as detection and mitigation.
– Assist a team of data scientists and data analysts in executing the team roadmap.

Qualifications

– Bachelor’s degree or higher in computer science, engineering, economics, business administration, or other relevant field, or equivalent experience.
– Knowledge of one of the following problem areas: youth safety and well-being, exploitation and abuse, hate and harassment, mental health, nudity and sexual activity, or risky and regulated activities
– 3-5 years of experience in threat discovery and prevention or related areas, including 2 years of experience in detecting and investigating various types of threats.
– Advanced understanding of statistical analysis and advanced proficiency in SQL or other relational database languages.
– Advanced knowledge of a functional or object-oriented programming language (e.g. Python, R).
– Advanced knowledge of machine learning, including designing and testing models. Knowledge of deep learning or recommendation systems is a plus.
– Project management skills to ensure impactful output, align stakeholders and manage competing priorities.

Desired qualifications
– 2 years of experience in project leadership, mentoring and managing stakeholder relationships.
– Demonstrated experience in recognizing signs of malicious behavior or trait misuse and using creativity and experience to mitigate complex threats.
– Your ability to work in a fast-paced environment, adapt and respond to the day-to-day challenges of the role.
– Your resilience and commitment to self-care to cope with the emotional demands of the role.

Declaration of well-being
Trust & Safety recognizes that keeping our platform safe for TikTok communities is no ordinary task. It can be rewarding, psychologically demanding, and emotionally taxing. That’s why we share the potential dangers, risks, and implications of this unique line of work from the beginning: so that our candidates are well-informed before they move forward.

We are committed to the wellbeing of all our employees and promise to provide comprehensive and evidence-based programs to promote and support physical and mental wellbeing throughout each employee’s journey with us. We believe wellbeing is a relationship and everyone has a role to play, so we work collaboratively and in consultation with our employees and within our functions to ensure a truly person-centred, innovative and integrated approach.

D&I Statement
TikTok strives to create an inclusive space where employees are valued for their skills, experiences, and unique perspectives. Our platform connects people from all over the world, and so does our workplace. At TikTok, our mission is to inspire creativity and bring joy. To achieve that goal, we strive to celebrate our diverse voices and create an environment that reflects the many communities we reach. We’re passionate about this, and we hope you are too.

Accommodation statement
TikTok strives to provide reasonable accommodations in our recruitment processes for candidates with disabilities, pregnancy, sincerely held religious beliefs, or other reasons protected by applicable law. If you need assistance or a reasonable accommodation, please contact us at https://shorturl.at/ktJP6

Data Protection Statement
This role requires the ability to work with and support systems designed to protect sensitive data and information. As such, this role will be subject to strict screening in relation to national security.

Information about the track

【For transparency in payment】Description of the fee (annual)

The base salary for this position in the selected city is $144,000 – $240,000 per year.

Compensation may vary outside of this range depending on a number of factors, including a candidate’s qualifications, skills, competencies and experience, and location. Base pay is a component of the Total Package offered to compensate and recognize employees for their work, and this position may be eligible for additional discretionary bonuses/incentives and restricted stock units.

Our company benefits are designed to convey our company culture and values, create an efficient and inspiring work environment and support our employees to achieve their best in both work and life. We offer the following benefits to eligible employees:

We cover 100% premium coverage for employee health insurance, approximately 75% premium coverage for dependents, and offer a Health Savings Account (HSA) with a company match. As well as dental, vision, short/long term disability, basic life, voluntary life, and AD&D insurance plans. In addition to Flexible Spending Account (FSA) options such as healthcare, limited purpose, and dependent care.

Our leave arrangements are as follows: 10 paid public holidays per year plus 17 days of paid personal time off (PPTO) (prorated to date of employment and increased with tenure) and 10 paid sick days per year, as well as 12 weeks of paid parental leave and 8 weeks of paid supplementary disability benefit.

We also offer generous benefits such as mental and emotional health benefits through our EAP and Lyra. A 401K company match, gym and cell phone service reimbursements. The Company reserves the right to change or modify these benefits programs at any time, with or without notice.