Staff Data Scientist (Full-Time Contractor)

About the role:

Nerdy is looking for a Staff Data Scientist based in South America, with mastery in data science and machine learning with a passion for applying gen AI and LLMs to join our team. This individual in this role will partner with product and engineering teams to discover insights and develop algorithmic solutions that support the personalization of live learning experiences at scale. The Staff Data Scientist will operate with a high degree of independence, owning complex problem spaces from ambiguity through production. From LLM-driven summarization systems to real-time ranking algorithms and churn prediction models, your work will power some of the most innovative features on our platform. We're looking for a strategic thinker who brings technical depth, product intuition, and a strong bias for action.

Why This Role Matters

This is a pivotal moment at Nerdy: we're doubling down on AI as a catalyst for Human Interaction (AI for HI®). Our latest innovations—like real-time Tutor Copilot, AI-powered session summarization, predictive churn analytics, and agent-based lifecycle optimization—are transforming how we scale meaningful learning experiences. As a Staff Data Scientist, you’ll shape the next wave of AI at Nerdy, working at the intersection of machine learning, product, and customer experience to build real-time, personalized systems that touch millions of learners.

About Nerdy:

Nerdy (NYSE: NRDY) is a leading platform for live online learning, with a mission to transform the way people learn through technology. The Company’s purpose-built proprietary platform leverages technology, including gen AI, to connect learners of all ages to experts, delivering superior value on both sides of the network. Nerdy’s comprehensive learning destination provides learning experiences across 3,000+ subjects and multiple formats—including one-on-one instruction, small group classes, large format group classes, and adaptive self-study. Their proprietary platform leverages AI to personalize the experience for Learners of all ages —from kindergarten to professional—in academic, test prep, enrichment, and certification subjects. Nerdy’s flagship business, Varsity Tutors, is one of the nation’s largest platforms for live online tutoring and classes. Its solutions are available directly to students and consumers, as well as through schools and other institutions. Learn more about Nerdy at https://www.nerdy.com/

Nerdy’s shareholder letters below explain the product and strategy and are the most effective way to learn about what the company is building. 

• Q4-2024 Shareholder Letter
• Q3-2024 Shareholder Letter

Responsibilities:

• Develop customer facing algorithmic systems owning and leading the end-to-end lifecycle of data science, from problem definition, qualitative analysis, data gathering and preparation to model training and testing.
• Apply and extend generative AI and LLM technologies to solve real-world learning problems such as summarization, content generation, personalization, and more.
• Own evaluation strategy & outcomes through time ensuring the model keep performing  
• Partner with Product and Engineering teams to define, prototype, and help productionalize ML solutions that personalize live learning at scale.
• Develop offline and online evaluation strategies to ensure ongoing model performance and impact.
• Drive decisions around data strategy, model evaluation, and experimental design to ensure long-term model robustness and impact.
• Mentor peers across data science and analytics by sharing insights, reviewing work, and helping raise the technical bar.
• Understand and appreciate that Nerdy is an apolitical company and that we can have the largest impact if we are united in our focus on helping people learn and not divided or distracted by advancing unrelated causes.

What we’re looking for:

• M.S. / PhD degree in a quantitative discipline (e.g. Mathematics, Statistics, Machine Learning, Econometrics).
• 8+ years of professional data science experience, including shipping production ML systems in customer-facing products.
• Deep expertise  in the areas of statistical inference, probability, machine learning (unsupervised and supervised). 
• Proven track record of independently productionalize customer facing models that create impact and that have operation rigor.
• Proficiency in Python and SQL, with experience using ML libraries and frameworks
• Experience with building recommender systems and implementation with a breadth of matching algorithms is a plus.
• Experience with LLMs, gen AI, MCP, agents and Natural Language Processing next to a classical understanding of ML models (classification, ranking systems).
• Relentlessly curious and strong focus on solving customer facing problems. 
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.

Benefits:

• Competitive Salary
• Remote Position
• Flexible PTO
• Free Learning Membership for you and your household (1-1 tutoring hours, unlimited use of on-demand services, and access to our online classes)
• National holidays
• A fun, collaborative, and team-oriented work environment with plenty of training and a feedback-rich culture.
• Unique opportunity to help transform how the world learns!

Nerdy is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.