Senior Investment Data Scientist

About Northern Trust:

Northern Trust, a Fortune 500 company, is a globally recognized, award-winning financial institution that has been in continuous operation since 1889.

Northern Trust is proud to provide innovative financial services and guidance to the world’s most successful individuals, families, and institutions by remaining true to our enduring principles of service, expertise, and integrity. With more than 130 years of financial experience and over 22,000 partners, we serve the world’s most sophisticated clients using leading technology and exceptional service.

Role Summary

The Senior Investment Data Scientist supports a global quantitative strategies team (USA, Australia, Hong Kong, Bangalore, London, and Amsterdam) in generating research through the application of machine learning and alternative data sources. The individual is responsible for performing all aspects of research – including idea generation, data acquisition, statistical analysis, documentation of findings, and providing direction to other team members as required. In order to produce targeted, impactful research, the Senior Investment Data Scientist must collaborate closely with stakeholders throughout the research process, including the quant research and portfolio management teams. The individual is able to distill research findings and communicate them effectively within the organization and externally to clients and prospects. The Senior Investment Data Scientist is able to perform their duties independently the majority of the time, taking occasional guidance as required.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

• Uses statistical analysis and machine learning to uncover insights in the investment domain

• Acquires structured and unstructured data and prepares it for analysis with validation, normalization, and feature engineering techniques

• Conduct applied signal research, portfolio construction research, back-testing and risk assessment of new investment strategies

• Develop intellectual property and enhance the reputation of Northern Trust as a thought leader in quantitative investing

• Interpret market dynamics and communicate research findings to the larger quant strategies team (quant research and portfolio management), prospects, and clients

• Participate in webinars and conferences discussing research outcomes

• Use sophisticated analytical thought to exercise judgement and identify innovative solutions

• Lead others to successfully complete complex research projects

• Pursues continuous education in the areas of financial markets and data science to maintain a progressive research agenda in a rapidly evolving landscape

Necessary Knowledge and Skills

• Advanced understanding of machine learning and optimization, usually acquired by an advanced degree and related experience, and has the ability to apply them appropriately within an investing context

• Background in statistics and econometrics: cross-sectional and time series regression analysis, covariance matrix decomposition, volatility models, etc.

• Knowledge of investments and the financial markets is required to analyze investment data

• Solid programming ability in languages such as Python (MATLAB, R, etc.)

• Knowledge of data platforms such as traditional RDBMS systems (Oracle, SQL) and cloud architectures and platforms

• Familiarity with seminal works in asset allocation, risk budgeting and risk management

• Ability to read, interpret and apply academic literature

• Ability to quickly master new applications and tools in order to evolve the capabilities of the quantitative strategies team

• Strong knowledge of the established asset pricing and factor anomaly literature

Necessary Experience and Education

• Master’s degree in data science, finance, economics, mathematics or related field required (PhD is a plus)

• Experience applying Machine Learning models within an investing context (alternative data is a plus)

• 10+ years of applied data science (quantitative research)

• Buy-side investment management experience preferred

Working with Us:

As a Northern Trust partner, greater achievements await. You will be part of a flexible and collaborative work culture in an organization where financial strength and stability is an asset that emboldens us to explore new ideas.

Movement within the organization is encouraged, senior leaders are accessible, and you can take pride in working for a company committed to assisting the communities we serve! Join a workplace with a greater purpose.

We’d love to learn more about how your interests and experience could be a fit with one of the world’s most admired and sustainable companies! Build your career with us and apply today. #MadeForGreater

Reasonable accommodation

Northern Trust is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please email our HR Service Center at MyHRHelp@ntrs.com.

We hope you’re excited about the role and the opportunity to work with us. We value an inclusive workplace and understand flexibility means different things to different people.

Apply today and talk to us about your flexible working requirements and together we can achieve greater.