ECONOMIST / FINANCIAL MARKET RESEARCHER - PhD at FI Consulting in Arlington, Virginia

Job Description:

Description

FI Consulting is seeking a skilled project-based contract Economist / Financial Market Researcher - PhD to work remotely on client projects.

Company:FI Consulting (FI) specializes in providing financial institution clients with custom analytics, model development, advisory services, and development support for financial and analytic-focused software. Our experience spans commercial, government, non-profit, and international sector financial institutions and diverse sectors of the credit market including mortgages, small business loans, consumer finance, and renewable fuels.

As an Economist / Financial Market Researcher - PhD the ideal candidate will have demonstrated experience conducting, writing, and discussing economic and financial market research. This is a contract position.

ResearchTopics:

Researchtopics may include but are not limited to the following:

• 
  Central Clearing - Conductsresearchand collect data to help analyze and monitor risk in central counterparties, or CCPs. Evaluate and measure the vulnerabilities in central clearing and in CCPs in an effort to improve risk management, efficiency, and transparency in derivatives markets.


• 
  Monitoring Financial Stability - Analyze new and emerging vulnerabilities as well as existing ones in the financial system.


• 
  Stress Testing - Analyze how stress to one part of the financial system affect other parts of the financial and the broader economy. Determine relevant extreme-yet-plausible scenarios and the outcome and consequences of those scenarios.


• 
  Risks in Financial Institutions - Study modern risk metrics and analysis. Topics include market risk measurement, internal risk measurement models, credit-risk scoring, credit derivatives, impact of supervisory restrictions, and risk monitoring tools and systems.


• 
  Market Structure - Assess and measure risks arising from changes in market structure and the potential impacts on market liquidity.


• 
  FoundationalResearchon Financial Stability - Conductresearchon topics related to financial stability.


• 
  Financial Innovation - Assess methods of creating and popularizing new financial instruments as well as new financial technologies, institutions and markets to include institutional, and product and process innovation.


• 
  Cyber and Operational Risks - Assess the market to ensure the security of customer assets and information and the efficient, reliable execution of transactions within markets. Assess the interconnectedness of firms in the financial industry and how this poses a risk to financial stability and assess the system-wide impact of a significant cyber-attack.

Responsibilities:

• Provide expertise in areas related toresearchand analysis on financial stability.


• Plan and conductresearchprojects including short and long-termresearchassignments on theresearch topics listed above.


• Provide expert constructive feedback on planned or in-process projects to improve quality ofresearch.


• Evaluate, interpret, and assess the impact of market trends, financial systems and programs, and the changing economic climate, ensuring that the organization is provided with accurate and well-understood economic data and information.


• Assist the organization in analyzing and assess the potential impact of existing or proposed policies on the financial system. Make recommendations to the organization concerning existing or proposed policy issues.


• Prepare and deliver presentations on various topics related to systemic risk in their field of expertise.


• Assist the organization in drafting reports, papers, presentations, and publications related toresearchprojects.


• Participate or present inresearchconferences, workshops, and similarresearchevents and identifyresearch and data needs.


• Provide expertise and support inresearching and analyzing large financial datasets to support specific projects within the organization.


• Develop economic models or algorithms forresearchand analysis projects within the organization.

Qualifications:

• A PhD in economics, finance, business, applied mathematics, or other discipline related to economic and financial market research.


• A thorough understanding of the academic research process, including topic development, experiment design, and the analysis of results.


• Previous research experience in at least one of the research topics listed above; published research in such topics is a plus.


• Experience discussing research findings with various audiences.


• Strong knowledge of Microsoft Office, specifically Excel and PowerPoint.


• Programming skills are not required but are a plus.

Successful candidates will possess:

• Demonstrated ability to learn and apply new concepts quickly, and to take on a broad range of analytical tasks


• Excellent communication, organizational, and writing skills


• Solutions oriented


• Drive to always look for ways to improve processes


• Desire to work in a fast-paced demanding environment


• Ability to work independently and within a team

Who We Are:FI Consulting is a 65-person professional services firm that helps government and commercial financial institutions solve hard problems in data, analytics, modeling, and technology. Our professionals are specialists with expertise across a range of fields, for example:

• Financial and economic modeling


• Data analytics & visualization


• Financial products and markets


• Economics and statistics


• Business process management and re-engineering

Our Company Values & Operateson:

• A Commitment to Creating Value for our Clients and our Employees


• A Flat Management Structure that is Still Led by one of the Original Founders


• An Emphasis on Teamwork and Cooperation


• Employee Development and Career Growth


• Continuous Improvement


• An Entrepreneurial Culture that Rewards Finding, Developing, and Owning Business

What its really like to Work for Us:

You will work with a team of smart, talented people in a culture that is simultaneously driven, collegial, and supportive. We set high expectations for employees in the areas of project delivery excellence, building trusted client relationships, and continuous improvement. Teamwork and collaboration is at the heart of what we do.

As part of our meritocratic culture, we strongly encourage each of our employees to remain committed to "stretching" the levels of their most current professional strengths to continuously adapt, grow and expand their subject matter expertise for the benefit of adding value to our clients. The emphasis on stretch starts at the very top of our organization and is promoted throughout to all members of our team. The desire of our employees to stretch is critical to effectively, and with greater flexibility, plan project assignments and subsequently position our people and the company for future success.

As a condition of employment with FI Consulting all job applicants will be required to successfully complete a background investigation, which may also include a pre-employment drug screen and/or a credit check.

Security Requirements:Authorized to work in the United States as a permanent resident,3 years of continuous residency or US Citizen. We are not able to sponsor or accept any VISA Holders at this time including H1B, EAD or OPT.

FLSA Designation - This is an exempt position. FI Consulting is an Equal Opportunity Employer of Minorities, Females, Protected Veterans, and Individuals with Disabilities.FI Consulting participates in E-Verify