Capital Markets Policy Researcher/Senior Researcher

CFA Institute is looking to appoint Researchers/Senior Researchers (collectively, “Affiliates”) for a 9 month fixed term to develop and conduct research in accordance with our thematic research agenda.

We intend to hire Affiliates from academia and industry at graduate and post-graduate (Masters and PhD) levels.

The objective of the affiliate research program is to develop and publish research that i) improves knowledge and understanding among investment practitioners, institutions, and policymakers in the respective fields of study; ii) supports the development of industry best practices, regulation, and market integrity; iii) supports talent development in the investment management ecosystem.

Affiliates will be tasked to develop research under the oversight of the Senior Head, Research and will be supported with mentorship from the Research, Advocacy, and Standards group. CFA Institute will own all intellectual property and will publish the research conducted under the Research & Policy Center. For those aspiring to publish in academic journals, the creation of derivative works will be permissible following the publication of the original work by CFA Institute. All projects must be completed through to publication within the term of appointment.

We welcome applicants with specific research interests in our wider thematic priority focused on capital markets resilience, which is considering issues about market structure, market stability, market integrity, investor protection, and capital formation. In particular, sought interests include: 

• Cryptoassets, Blockchain, and Central Bank Digital Currencies 

• Pensions and retirement income systems 

• Private markets 

• Investment products, asset classes, factor analysis 

• Asset management business model changes (rise of passive, focus on costs, ETFs) 

• Private wealth management 

• Financial stability, systemic risk 

Opportunities exist in London or Washington, DC with a commitment to be in the applicable office at least two days per week for office-based locations. This role will be supported by the Senior Head – Research Center.

Examples of previous research by the CFA Institute Research and Policy Center are available at  https://rpc.cfainstitute.org/en/

The responsibilities of this role include:

• Conducting and managing research projects, drafting papers and articles relevant to the chosen topical priority (for this specific role, this means the thematic: Resiliency of the Capital Markets) 

• Originating project ideas on relevant investment industry topics, conducting research, developing well-articulated arguments, recommendations, and policy positions. 

• Affiliates with post-doctorate and/or significant research industry experience may have additional responsibilities including advice and supervision on wider research initiatives and mentoring other affiliates in research practices. 

The skills and experience required for this role are:

• Completion of a master’s or doctorate degree, with experience in Finance, Economics, Law, or a similar field a plus.

• CFA Candidate or charter holder a plus.

• Must have strong writing and analytical skills, capacity for synthesizing complex information, and establishing links between factors.

• Fluency in English is required, and knowledge of additional languages would be useful.

• Self-starter who can work independently and is results-driven.

• Must demonstrate outstanding judgment and mature business skills with the ability to establish a strong rapport with senior management.