Lead Research Scientist

Company Description

As the world's leader in digital payments technology, Visa's mission is to connect the world through the most creative, reliable and secure payment network - enabling individuals, businesses, and economies to thrive. Our advanced global processing network, VisaNet, provides secure and reliable payments around the world, and is capable of handling more than 65,000 transaction messages a second. The company's dedication to innovation drives the rapid growth of connected commerce on any device, and fuels the dream of a cashless future for everyone, everywhere. As the world moves from analog to digital, Visa is applying our brand, products, people, network and scale to reshape the future of commerce.

At Visa, your individuality fits right in. Working here gives you an opportunity to impact the world, invest in your career growth, and be part of an inclusive and diverse workplace. We are a global team of disruptors, trailblazers, innovators and risk-takers who are helping drive economic growth in even the most remote parts of the world, creatively moving the industry forward, and doing meaningful work that brings financial literacy and digital commerce to millions of unbanked and underserved consumers.

You're an Individual. We're the team for you. Together, let's transform the way the world pays.

Job Description

Visa Research conducts applied and fundamental research and was created to lead the company in pushing the boundaries of payment related technologies on a global scale. We engage with the company's numerous technology and product teams, world-wide business partners, academics, and governments, to explore and develop technologies that will shape the future of the payments industry and impact the lives of billions of people.  

The Lead Research Scientist will work with a team to advance the long-term research agenda in AI, as well as deliver innovative technologies and insights to Visa's strategic products and business. This role represents an exciting opportunity to make key contributions to Visa's strategic vision as a world-leading data-driven company. The successful candidate must have strong academic track record and demonstrate excellent software engineering skills.

Responsibilities:

• Contribute to the long-term research agenda in AI and address fundamental challenges in fairness, explainability, robustness, and privacy.
• Develop prototypes and proofs of concepts to demonstrate the research technologies on real-world problems.
• Deliver high-impact intellectual property values through research publications and patents.
• Collaborate with team members to deliver innovative technologies, insights and products to Visa business units to resolve their significant product pain-points and create new growth opportunities.
• Collaborate with our partners in academia, industry and government on key initiatives to advance our research goals.
• Foster in-depth and productive relationships at all levels with team members and clients internally and externally. 

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications:

• 4 years of related experience with a Ph.D. degree in Computer Science or related fields.

Preferred Qualifications: 

• Demonstrated research expertise in AI, machine learning, deep learning, and privacy enhanced technology.
• Deep knowledge in one or several of the following areas: ethical AI, fairness in AI, model interpretation and visualization, adversarial attacks and defenses in AI models, privacy-preserving AI, differential privacy, federated learning, etc.
• Proven track record of high-quality research publications at top academic conferences and journals.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to think outside the box and innovate.
• Strong programming skill in Python or other object-oriented language is a plus.
• Demonstrated research project/program management experience is a plus.
• Experience in payments or related industry is a plus.

Additional Information

Visa has adopted a COVID-19 vaccination policy to safeguard the health and well-being of our employees and visitors.  As a condition of employment, all employees based in the U.S. are required to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19, unless a reasonable accommodation is approved or as otherwise required by law. 

Work Authorization: Authorization to work in the U.S. is a precondition of employment for this position. Visa will not sponsor applicants for work visas in connection with this position. 

Work hours: Varies upon the needs of the department. 

Work Location: This position is located in our Palo Alto office. 

Travel Requirements: This position requires travel less than 10% of the time. 

Mental/Physical Requirements: This position will be performed in an office setting. The position will require the incumbent to sit and stand at a desk, communicate in person and by telephone, frequently operate standard office equipment, such as telephones and computers. 

EEOC: Visa is an EEO Employer.  Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or protected veteran status.  Visa will also consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with EEOC guidelines and applicable local law.