Research Scientist, Computational Social Science (PhD)

Meta is seeking a Research Scientist to join the Computational Social Science team. Meta is committed to understanding and improving our impact on important societal topics, such as fostering healthy connection and community, social cohesion, youth experiences, civic discourse, elections and democracy, institutional trust, economic opportunity, and inequality. We are the computational social scientists dedicated to tackling these research problems at scale using quantitative and computational methods.

Research Scientist, Computational Social Science (PhD) Responsibilities:

• Conduct research that uses cutting-edge computational and quantitative methods to advance the scientific understanding of questions related to Meta's impact on society.
• Work with large amounts of data in service of concrete conclusions and actionable. insights
• Communicate complex technical topics and nuanced insights to diverse audiences.
• Work both independently and collaboratively with other scientists, engineers, UX researchers, and product managers to accomplish complex tasks.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Currently has, or is in the process of obtaining a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, relevant technical field, or equivalent practical experience. Degree must be completed prior to joining Meta.
• Currently has or is in the process of obtaining a PhD in computer science, statistics, economics, sociology, political science, or related field. Degree must be completed prior to joining Meta.
• Fluency with statistical methods and computational approaches (e.g. machine learning, social network analysis, large language models), and experience solving analytical problems using such techniques.
• Experience manipulating and analyzing complex, high-volume, high-dimensionality data from varying sources.
• A track record of and impulse for empirical research and for answering hard questions with data.
• A flexible analytic approach that allows for results at varying levels of precision.
• Fluency with a data analysis language such as R or Python.
• Familiarity with relational databases and SQL.
• Fluency with statistical inference techniques.
• Must obtain work authorization in the country of employment at the time of hire, and maintain ongoing work authorization during employment.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience solving complex problems and comparing alternative solutions, tradeoffs, and diverse points of view to determine a path forward.
• Experience working and communicating cross functionally in a team environment.
• Demonstrated research and software engineering experience via an internship, work experience, coding competitions, or widely used contributions in open source repositories (e.g. GitHub).

About Meta:

Meta builds technologies that help people connect, find communities, and grow businesses. When Facebook launched in 2004, it changed the way people connect. Apps like Messenger, Instagram and WhatsApp further empowered billions around the world. Now, Meta is moving beyond 2D screens toward immersive experiences like augmented and virtual reality to help build the next evolution in social technology. People who choose to build their careers by building with us at Meta help shape a future that will take us beyond what digital connection makes possible today-beyond the constraints of screens, the limits of distance, and even the rules of physics.

Meta is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, transgender status, sexual stereotypes, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. We also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable federal, state and local law. Meta participates in the E-Verify program in certain locations, as required by law. Please note that Meta may leverage artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies in connection with applications for employment.

Meta is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for candidates with disabilities in our recruiting process. If you need any assistance or accommodations due to a disability, please let us know at [email protected].

$56.25/hour to $173,000/year + bonus + equity + benefits

Individual compensation is determined by skills, qualifications, experience, and location. Compensation details listed in this posting reflect the base hourly rate, monthly rate, or annual salary only, and do not include bonus, equity or sales incentives, if applicable. In addition to base compensation, Meta offers benefits. Learn more about benefits at Meta.