Economist (Data Scientist)

Economist (Data Scientist)

• Team Data Science
• Location Bangkok, Thailand
• Job Type Full-time

The role at a glance

Get to Know the Team

We are the architects of the marketplace economy. We design the blueprints, incentives, and clearing mechanisms that power the platform. We combine rigorous economic theory with data science to solve the fundamental coordination problems of the on-demand economy—balancing supply, demand, and price in real-time.

We do not just analyze the market; we shape it. We foster a culture where you have the freedom to explore. We balance the optimization of our current systems with a goal of tackling the open-ended, foundational questions to define the next horizon of our growth. We want to leave a lasting impact on the ecosystem of drivers, merchants, and passengers who rely on our equilibrium every day.

Get to Know the Role

We are looking for an Economist who can operate at the intersection of causal science and commercial strategy. You will be the bridge between theoretical rigor and real-world application. This role will report to Lead Economist (Data Scientist), Marketplace Strategy.

You will go beyond standard A/B testing to "decode" the complex behaviors of our ecosystem. You will identify the hidden tradeoffs in every decision and mapping the second- and third-order consequences of our algorithms. Whether you are redesigning pricing principles or modeling labor supply elasticity, your work will provide the definitive "so what?" that guides our product roadmap and investment strategy

The Critical Tasks You Will Perform

• Architect Marketplace Mechanisms: You will own the economic logic for main pillars of our platform (Supply, Growth, Pricing, or Dispatch). You will design the incentives and clearing mechanisms that keep our marketplace healthy and efficient.
• Decode Economic Behavior: You will build models to understand why users and partners make the choices they do. Your insights will move us beyond treating users as metrics, helping us build a more engaging, human-centric marketplace.
• Be the Authority on Causal Truth: You will apply quasi-experimental methods and structural modeling to safeguard the business from mistaking correlation for causation. You will ensure our biggest bets are backed by rigorous evidence rather than coincidence.
• Solve Big, Ambiguous Questions: You will help build the research agenda for the "unknowns" of our marketplace. You will investigate foundational topics—like long-run market dynamics, system efficiency frontiers, and partner choice architecture—to shape our multi-year vision.
• Simplify Strategy: You will distill immense complexity into clear, applicable mental models. You will partner with senior leadership to cut through the noise, helping them define the true goals and principles of the business.

Read more Skills you need

What Essential Skills You Will Need

We are looking for analytical thinker who can translate economic theories into actionable strategies. This role is open to candidates from recent graduates to experienced economists.

• Advanced Degree: A PhD in Economics, or a related field is preferred or candidates with a Master's degree who can demonstrate a high experience with economic logic, structural thinking, and causal analysis, regardless of their tenure in the industry.
• Industry Experience: Proven experience marketplace design, pricing strategy or economic consulting.
• Technical Skills:
  • Econometrics: Expertise in causal inference techniques like difference-in-differences and regression discontinuity
  • Structural thinking: ability to build models predicting market equilibrium and effects of pricing changes
  • Technical proficiency: SQL and statistical programming (R, Python) is necessary .
  • Strategic Communication: ability to simplify complex economic concept to partners and influence decisions.

Read more What we offer

About Grab and Our Workplace

Grab is Southeast Asia's leading superapp. From getting your favourite meals delivered to helping you manage your finances and getting around town hassle-free, we've got your back with everything. In Grab, purpose gives us joy and habits build excellence, while harnessing the power of Technology and AI to deliver the mission of driving Southeast Asia forward by economically empowering everyone, with heart, hunger, honour, and humility.

Read more Life at Grab

Life at Grab

We care about your well-being at Grab, here are some of the global benefits we offer:

• We have your back with Term Life Insurance and comprehensive Medical Insurance.
• With GrabFlex, create a benefits package that suits your needs and aspirations.
• Celebrate moments that matter in life with loved ones through Parental and Birthday leave, and give back to your communities through Love-all-Serve-all (LASA) volunteering leave
• We have a confidential Grabber Assistance Programme to guide and uplift you and your loved ones through life's challenges.
• Balancing personal commitments and life's demands are made easier with our FlexWork arrangements such as differentiated hours

What We Stand For at Grab

We are committed to building an inclusive and equitable workplace that enables diverse Grabbers to grow and perform at their best. As an equal opportunity employer, we consider all candidates fairly and equally regardless of nationality, ethnicity, religion, age, gender identity, sexual orientation, family commitments, physical and mental impairments or disabilities, and other attributes that make them unique.

Read more

What’s it like to work at Grab?

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Economist (Data Scientist)

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View our location

Our teams in Thailand ensure that all our partners, customers, and users experience the awesome benefits of our services and products! Take a tour of our offices in the Land of Smiles and meet some of our teams.

Meet the Data Science team

Our Data Science team is on a mission to create delightful experiences for our users. Every day, they dive into the data to uncover new and intelligent ways to deliver hyperlocal services and solutions to our communities in Southeast Asia.

Every small step of innovation at Grab has an instant impact on hundreds of millions of active users. Nothing is more exciting than facing challenges, exploring uncertainties and advancing the state-of-the-art in artificial intelligence.

“ ” Jia ChenHead of Data Science, Integrity

My journey has been fueled by a passion for making a tangible impact through data. Having been a Senior Data Scientist at GrabFin, and now a Lead Data Scientist at Grabads, I found the perfect opportunity to work with massive datasets, which has led to greater impact in my work.

“ ” Arpit GoelLead Data Scientist in GrabAds

I get to bring data to life throughout the product journey – from scoping problems and setting metrics to experimenting and tweaking things for the better. It's not just about numbers; it's about actively shaping and improving our products every day.

“ ” Ki Fong PuaSenior Data Scientist (Analytics) at Grab

The Application Process

What can you expect when you apply for a role at Grab? Here’s what our hiring process looks like.

Step 1: Apply.

We have a range of open roles from Marketing to Engineering and everything in between. Find the one that’s best for you and show us why you’re our next teammate.

Step 2: Getting to know you.

Next, you’ll have a video or phone interview with one of our recruiters to chat about you, the role, and your past work experiences.

Step 3: Testing, testing… 123.

Some roles might require assessments and/or a technical competency interview. For other roles, there might be an additional interview – speak with your recruiter for application details.

Step 4: Is it a culture match?

Finally, we’ll find out how we fit together, if your career vision aligns with our mission, how you embody the 4 H's, and your working style and personality.

Grab a spot in our talent community

Want to be the first to know about Grab opportunities? Keen to stay up-to-date with our latest revelations? Ready to learn more about life at Grab and our amazing teams?

Join our talent community and you’ll never miss a beat.

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