The Inspiration & Entertainment team at PRSB (Personalization, Recommendation, Search, Browse) is taking the next step in evolving beyond the traditional transactional model. We’re shifting our focus toward fostering deeper engagement and delivering truly inspiring experiences. To achieve this, we are harnessing cutting-edge machine learning technologies—ranging from advanced recommender systems to generative AI (GenAI), large language models (LLMs), and neural search capabilities. These tools will enable us to offer users not just content, but personalized, exciting, and motivational experiences that resonate deeply.

Collaborating closely with our teams in Shenzhen, China, we are bringing together and tapping into a diverse pool of global technical talent. This global partnership allows us to approach these challenges from multiple perspectives, ensuring that we create something both innovative and valuable for our customers. Together, we aim to transform how people engage with content, making each interaction not just transactional, but inspirational.

As a Senior Data Scientist, you will play a key role in addressing challenging fashion problems and evaluating their effectiveness. Reporting into the Head of Applied Science, you will help drive our scientific roadmap, applying your scientific capabilities to deliver department-wide and cross-department projects in collaboration with multiple teams. Working closely with Zalando science leaders, you will guide a team of exceptional scientists and engineers to develop models and cutting-edge machine learning products that enhance the experience of over 50 million customers. 

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

• Utilize your extensive scientific experience in researching and analyzing data to drive decisions in order to enhance the inspiration journey of millions of our customers. Collaborate with multiple teams to create a cutting-edge science and analytics stack that aligns with the product strategy and drive architectural and design principles.

• Develop long-term scientific roadmaps to address complex fashion challenges using state-of-the-art solutions, ensuring we stay at the forefront of innovation. Contribute to our scientific endeavours through internal peer reviews and external publications in top-tier journals and conferences.

• Act as a mentor to Junior and Senior Scientists, foster collaboration with other teams, and actively share knowledge and expertise within Zalando’s science community.

• Forge close partnerships with Applied Science leaders, Product Managers, and other business stakeholders to deliver state-of-the-art machine learning solutions to our customers and uncover new opportunities for growth.

WE’D LOVE TO MEET YOU IF:

• You have a PhD or MSc in STEM discipline (e.g. math, engineering, physics) or economics, or equivalent practical experience, accompanied by 5+ years of industry experience. 

• You have experience in developing long-term research roadmaps and applying scientific methods to tackle research problems. A strong inclination to collaborate with product, science, and engineering managers and solve business problems through scientific solutions.

• You have an extensive track record of addressing large-scale real-world problems using machine learning throughout the entire product cycle, encompassing problem analysis, data processing, literature review, production deployment, monitoring, and maintenance. 

• You have extensive hands-on experience in analytics.

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.

• Employee shares programme

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

• 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

• 27 days of vacation a year to start

• Relocation assistance available (subject to prior agreement)

• Family services, including counselling and support

• Health and wellbeing options (including Gympass)

• Mental health support and coaching available

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

Learn all about Zalando and our values here: https://jobs.zalando.com/en/?gh_src=22377bdd1us 

INCLUSIVE BY DESIGN

At Zalando, our vision is to be inclusive by design. And this vision starts with our hiring - we do not discriminate on the basis of gender identity, sexual orientation, personal expression, ethnicity, religious belief, or disability status. You are welcome to leave out your picture, age, or marital status from your application. We only assess candidates on their qualifications and merit. 

We want to provide you with a great candidate experience. Feel free to inform us of any accommodations you may need, so we can best support you throughout the hiring process. 

do.BETTER - our diversity & inclusion strategy: https://corporate.zalando.com/en/our-impact/dobetter-our-diversity-and-inclusion-strategy
Our employee resource groups: https://corporate.zalando.com/en/our-impact/our-employee-resource-groups