Senior Data Scientist, People Analytics & Research

Airbnb
United States
Remote

In the 12 months to 30 Jun 2026, Airbnb filed 9 H-1B positions titled "Data Scientist". Source: U.S. Department of Labor, LCA disclosure data. A record of filings already made, not a commitment to sponsor.

Who this role is best for

Strong fit for data scientists with a background in causal inference and workforce analytics who thrive in cross-functional collaboration and are comfortable with legally sensitive data analysis.

Best fit for

  • Candidates with a background in causal inference and workforce analytics, and a proven ability to translate data into actionable insights
    — “proven track record of translating data into insight and action”
  • Individuals experienced in quasi-experimental research and comfortable working with observational data
    — “Deep experience with causal inference on observational data and quasi-experimental research design and analysis”
  • Candidates who can work effectively with cross-functional stakeholders across Recruiting, Compensation, and Legal teams
    — “partnering with leaders across Recruiting, Compensation, Talent, and the wider business”

Things to consider

  • Remote eligibility is possible but limited to specific US states due to legal requirements
    — “live in a state where Airbnb, Inc. has a registered entity”
  • The role may involve occasional in-person work at Airbnb offices or offsites
    — “may include occasional work at an Airbnb office or attendance at offsites”

How to stand out

  • Emphasize experience with compensation analytics and legally sensitive data in your resume and interview stories
    — “Experience applying data science to compensation, recruiting, or broader workforce and organizational questions”
  • Highlight your ability to explain complex research findings to non-technical stakeholders
    — “Ability to communicate clearly and effectively to cross functional partners of varying technical levels”
  • Demonstrate your fluency with AI tools like AirPanda and LLM-based agents during interviews
    — “Use AI fluently - including the team's AirPanda platform and LLM-based agents”
Pace · Fast PacedCollaboration · HighAutonomy · HighDecision Impact · Team

Derived from job-description analysis by Serendipath's career intelligence engine.

What success looks like

  • Leading and contributing to high-stakes people questions research
  • Translating data into actionable insights and decisions
  • Partnering with leaders across the business to drive strategy and action
Typical background
Master's degree or PhD in a quantitative field5+ years of industry experience

Skills & requirements

Required

Causal InferenceQuasi-experimental Research DesignStatistical ModelsData Science MethodologiesR Or Python For Statistical AnalysisSQL For Data AccessSurvey Design And Analysis

Preferred

AI FluencyAirpanda PlatformLlm-based Agents

Stack & domain

PythonRSQLCausal InferenceQuasi-experimental Research DesignSurvey Design And AnalysisLeadershipCommunicationProblem-solvingTeamworkData SciencePeople AnalyticsResearch

About the role

Original posting from Airbnb

Airbnb was born in 2007 when two hosts welcomed three guests to their San Francisco home, and has since grown to over 5 million hosts who have welcomed over 2 billion guest arrivals in almost every country across the globe. Every day, hosts offer unique stays and experiences that make it possible for guests to connect with communities in a more authentic way.

The Community You Will Join:

People Analytics & Research is a strong team of Data Scientists, Data Engineers, and Analysts. Our work is highly sought-after, and impacts stakeholders in our People function, and across the business. In this role, you'll take on some of the hardest questions about Airbnb's workforce - how we recruit, pay, develop, and retain our people - partnering with leaders across Recruiting, Compensation, Talent, and the wider business to turn rigorous analysis into decisions they act on.

The Difference You Will Make:

The People Analytics & Research team is looking for an experienced Data Scientist to lead and/or contribute to our most important research - applying causal inference and quasi-experimental methods to high-stakes people questions: how we recruit, hire, promote, and retain a best-in-class workforce; how we keep key company processes fair; and how work itself is changing. Employee listening and survey analysis are part of the mix, but the heart of the role is rigorous inferential research on observational people data. The role is highly cross-functional, and you will partner with Recruiting, Talent Leaders, Compensation, Legal, and Diversity & Belonging. We need a Data Scientist with a proven track record of translating data into insight and action.

If you have a proven background in this field and are excited to help build Airbnb’s community, we want to hear from you.

A Typical Day: 

Collaborate with partners and stakeholders to understand people-related business problems, and gather relevant people data to analyze

Utilize appropriate statistical models and data science methodologies to gain insights, explain, or predict a wide variety of people-related processes, such as recruiting and hiring, promotion, retention, pay equity, productivity, and organizational effectiveness, among others

Translate data and insights into meaningful visualizations and stories to drive strategy, action, and decision-making with leaders across the business

Align research priorities with business priorities and take a customer-focused mindset in working with stakeholders

Lead the team's compensation analytics - the recurring, legally sensitive analyses that inform Total Rewards decisions on pay, compensation structure, and talent awards - in close partnership with Employment Legal and Total Rewards

Lead design and measurement of Airbnb's quality-of-hire metric with Recruiting, and own sensitive statutory and governance reporting

Be a constant learner, active listener, and teacher to advance data science, people analytics, and Airbnb

Use AI fluently - including the team's AirPanda platform and LLM-based agents - to accelerate analysis, prototyping, and synthesis, and to extend what a single researcher can deliver

Your Expertise:

5+ years in industry experience and a Master's degree/PhD in a quantitative field

Deep experience with causal inference on observational data and quasi-experimental research design and analysis

Proficiency in R or Python for statistical analysis, and SQL for data access

Familiarity with survey design and analysis, as one of several methods in the toolkit

Experience applying data science to compensation, recruiting, or broader workforce and organizational questions, including work with legally sensitive data

Ability to communicate clearly and effectively to cross functional partners of varying technical levels and drive impact

Experience working with large practical datasets

Your Location:

This position is US - Remote Eligible. The role may include occasional work at an Airbnb office or attendance at offsites, as agreed to with your manager. While the position is Remote Eligible, you must live in a state where Airbnb, Inc. has a registered entity. Click here for the up-to-date list of excluded states. This list is continuously evolving, so please check back with us if the state you live in is on the exclusion list. If your position is employed by another Airbnb entity, your recruiter will inform you what states you are eligible to work from.

Our Commitment To Inclusion & Belonging:

Airbnb is committed to working with the broadest talent pool possible. We believe diverse ideas foster innovation and engagement, and allow us to attract creatively-led people, and to develop the best products, services and solutions. All qualified individuals are encouraged to apply.

We strive to also provide a disability inclusive application and interview process. If you are a candidate with a disability and require reasonable accommodation in order to submit an application, please contact us at: reasonableaccommodations@airbnb.com. Please include your full name, the role you’re applying for and the accommodation necessary to assist you with the recruiting process. 

We ask that you only reach out to us if you are a candidate whose disability prevents you from being able to complete our online application.

Equal Employment Opportunity:

Airbnb values diversity & belonging and is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. All individuals seeking employment at Airbnb are considered without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, gender, sex, marital status, ancestry, physical or mental disability, veteran status, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, or any other legally protected characteristic.

How We'll Take Care of You:

Our job titles may span more than one career level. The actual base pay is dependent upon many factors, such as: training, transferable skills, work experience, business needs and market demands. The base pay range is subject to change and may be modified in the future. This role may also be eligible for bonus, equity, benefits, and Employee Travel Credits.  

Pay Range$180,000—$210,000 USD 

Reasonable Accommodations: We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations throughout the recruitment process for applicants with disabilities. If you need assistance, or an accommodation, please let your recruiter know once you are contacted about a role.

A Note on Recruiting Scams: Scammers sometimes pose as Airbnb recruiters to get money or personal information from candidates. A few things that will always be true for Airbnb’s hiring process: our open roles are posted on Airbnb’s Career’s Page at careers.airbnb.com, and our recruiters correspond only from @airbnb.com or @ext.airbnb.com email addresses. Our recruiters will never ask for your Social Security number, bank account details, passport, or payment app information while you are interviewing.  We’ll also never ask you to pay a fee, send money, deposit or cash a check, or purchase work-related equipment (such as a company laptop) during the interview process. We encourage candidates to remain vigilant of these recruiting scams and not share sensitive information if you do not believe an individual is actually affiliated with Airbnb.

Source: Airbnb careers

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