Senior Research Scientist at Thorn

At Thorn, our cause is our code. We are a nonprofit whose mission of defending children from sexual exploitation and abuse is deeply embedded within our core—a shared code that drives us to do challenging work with resilience and determination.
Here, you’ll work and grow among the best hearts and the best minds in tech, data, and business alongside our network of independent partners, NGOs, and law enforcement agencies. Together, we’re focused on building technology that protects children’s futures. We are looking for dynamic problem solvers with the desire to help address some of today’s toughest issues. You'll collaborate with a diverse group of peers in a remote environment centered on wellness, care, and compassion.
In 2019, we took the stage at TED and shared our audacious goal of eliminating child sexual abuse material from the internet. Come join us to help make this goal a reality and build a world where every child can be safe, curious, and happy.
About the Role:
As a Senior Research Scientist, you will independently, and in partnership with the Research & Insights team, advance Thorn’s organizational knowledge of online child sexual exploitation and emerging trends. The work you do will be a combination of finding quick wins and developing longer-term research. You will be responsible for acquiring data, crafting and performing analytical experiments in a disciplined manner, evaluating and iterating on results, and discussing results with both technical and non-technical audiences. You’ll serve as a source of issue expertise in online child sexual exploitation and emerging trends. You’ll work closely with the Head of Research & Insights to grow the Research team’s impact, both internally and externally, by delivering nimble, innovative, and rigorous research. 
What You’ll Do:


Lead a diverse portfolio of research projects leveraging a variety of large, unstructured data sources to drive understanding of trends in online child sexual exploitation 

Implement new statistical or machine learning methodologies as needed for specific models or analyses
Draft briefs and reports that clearly and accurately distill nuanced subjects to a range of technical and non-technical audiences
Serve as a source of issue expertise in online child sexual exploitation and emerging trends. Mastering a variety of concepts and related data points to help Thorn make strategic decisions off the best information available.
Create visualizations to facilitate strategic decision making
Keep up to date with the newest developments in statistical analysis and related data science technologies
Mentor teammates fostering critical thinking and excellence in our research
Actively pursue diversity and inclusion in Thorn research to ensure all kids are represented in our understanding of this issue
Intentionally and proactively practice, defend and improve data ethics and statistical integrity, both in own work and cross-functionally across teams

Skills We’re Seeking

5+ experience in statistical analysis and/or data science using either Python or R with at least moderate knowledge of Python. 
2+ mentoring and coaching colleagues via pairing, research design, and code review
Strong written, verbal, and visual communication skills, and the ability to tailor messaging to a range of audiences 
Some travel will be required in the future
Prior knowledge of child exploitation/abuse issues is a plus
Desire to serve Thorn’s mission

Technologies We Use

Python, Jupyter notebooks
Python packages for statistical analysis and ML, like scikit-learn, statsmodels, etc.
NLP tools like Spacy, Gensim, or Hugging Face transformers.
ElasticSearch, SQL
Network analysis tools like NetworkX, neo4j graph algorithms
Github for code version control
DVC for version control of non-code data analysis artifacts

You should have at least four years of professional experience with these:

Python or R for data analysis
Statistical inference, hypothesis testing, regression analysis
Time series analysis
Data quality analysis
Unsupervised learning / clustering techniques

In addition, you should have non-trivial experience with:

Network analysis / social networks analysis

Expertise in any of the following is a major plus:

NLP
Raw data collection and processing, like web scraping, working with APIs to collect data, working with open source data, and querying databases
Bias assessment
In-depth knowledge of digital photo image metadata, photo editing techniques, webcams
Linguistics, especially computational linguistics
Experience in Anthropology, Psychology/Sociology, Epidemiology, Criminology, Forensic Science, Fraud detection
Emerging trends detection
Data visualization

At Thorn, our remote-first work model is structured around working from home most of the time. But, there will be times that employees are expected to travel. For example, Thorn may host company-wide gatherings, and smaller teams may hold in-person meetings and team-building events, or require attendance at specific conferences.
Thorn is a strong and flexible team because of the diverse backgrounds of our staff. This includes professional background, subject matter expertise, culture, race/ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, language, hobbies, etc. We strongly encourage women, minorities, and people from underrepresented backgrounds to apply. Your skills are needed here.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.
“EEO is the Law” Poster 
“EEO is the Law” Poster Supplement 
Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Provision