Data Science Lead, Measurement Science

Responsibilities

About the Team:
The TikTok Measurement-Research Data Science Team drives advertisers' behavioral change on TikTok through rigorous data science research in quantitative marketing, helping stakeholders make decisions using scientific approaches. The team conducts empirical and theoretical research, uses object-oriented programming for pipeline prototyping, and offers educational opportunities to the broader TikTok community. They are a research-focused team that values ideas and works closely with others through constant communication and brainstorming. The team is hosted within the larger Measurement - Research team that develops strategic knowledge across audience, full funnel, commerce, creative, search, and moments programs

About the Role:
This role is not merely an application of Data Science; it is the leadership of Measurement Science as a distinct, specialized discipline. Your team will function as an internal research group responsible for the fundamental quantitative understanding of our business.

Responsibilities:
Driving Scientific Inquiry and Revenue:
- Define Foundational Measurement: Lead the research and implementation of Post-campaign measurement -including econometrics, causal modeling, and quasi-experimentation-to move beyond correlation and accurately quantify the incremental revenue (Lift) generated by all of TikTok's advertising products.
- Pioneer Research Agenda: Own the research roadmap for advanced measurement topics that directly underpin monetization: Marketing Mix Modeling (MMM), incrementality studies, creative measurement, and unified full-funnel measurement across online and offline channels.
- Advance Causal Inference: Apply and innovate within the domain of causal inference to address complex, non-experimental questions related to auction dynamics, content algorithm influence, and the long-term Customer Lifetime Value (LTV) impact of ad campaigns.
- Code and Collaborate: Serve as the technical authority and hands-on coder for the team, architecting and prototyping scalable models in languages like Python. Ensure scientific methods translate into robust, production-ready tools for the Monetization organization.
- Translate and Influence: Translate complex statistical outputs and academic findings into clear, pragmatic recommendations for executive leadership, directly shaping Monetization strategy and ad product development.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:
- PhD in a Quantitative Discipline: Must be in Marketing Science, Economics, Statistics, Econometrics, Computer Science, or a closely related field that grounds the individual in the theory of causal inference and statistical modeling.
- 5+ years of professional experience (post-PhD) with a demonstrated focus on applying Ad Measurement and Marketing Science principles in a high-scale environment.
- 3+ years of experience as a people manager within a technical leadership role.
- Deep Expertise in Measurement & Monetization: Mastery of core concepts including MMM, attribution, lift testing, brand equity measurement, and price elasticity/optimization.
- Hands-on Technical Leadership: Expert proficiency in Python for data science and advanced statistical modeling, alongside expertise in working with large datasets via SQL and cloud environments.

Preferred Qualifications:
- Prior experience leading a research function within the monetization or advertising science division of a major digital platform.
- Familiarity with the challenges and opportunities presented by short-form video content and algorithmic discovery in the context of ad effectiveness.
- Experience with Bayesian methodologies and their application to ad effectiveness and budget optimization problems.
- Exceptional Publication Track Record: Proven history of peer-reviewed academic publications in leading quantitative journals (e.g., Marketing Science, Management Science, AER, Journal of Econometrics, or top-tier ML/AI conferences), demonstrating the ability to conduct and disseminate original, rigorous research.

Job Information

[For Pay Transparency] Compensation Description (annually)

The base salary range for this position in the selected city is $201000 - $395280 annually.

Compensation may vary outside of this range depending on a number of factors, including a candidate's qualifications, skills, competencies and experience, and location. Base pay is one part of the Total Package that is provided to compensate and recognize employees for their work, and this role may be eligible for additional discretionary bonuses/incentives, and restricted stock units.

Benefits may vary depending on the nature of employment and the country work location. Employees have day one access to medical, dental, and vision insurance, a 401(k) savings plan with company match, paid parental leave, short-term and long-term disability coverage, life insurance, wellbeing benefits, among others. Employees also receive 10 paid holidays per year, 10 paid sick days per year and 17 days of Paid Personal Time (prorated upon hire with increasing accruals by tenure).