Meta Applied Scientist (Staff Level) Interview Preparation Guide

Meta's interview process for Applied Scientists at the Staff level follows a structured, multi-stage evaluation designed to assess research capability, technical depth, system design thinking, and strategic impact. The process typically includes an initial recruiter screening, a technical phone screen, and an onsite loop consisting of 5-6 separate interviews focusing on research methodology, machine learning systems design, coding proficiency with ML frameworks, advanced statistics and experimental design, and behavioral/leadership competencies. Staff-level candidates are evaluated on their ability to drive high-impact research initiatives, architect scalable ML systems, mentor junior scientists, and influence technical direction across teams.