Data Science Research Fellow - Climate Finance

Job Description
The Center for Active Stewardship (CAS) is a new organization incubated by the Jain Family Institute (JFI). CAS is studying the role of corporate governance in shaping the private sectors response to climate change.

We believe that the asset management industry has a powerful role to play in steering the economy toward an emissions pathway that will make the worst projected impacts of climate change less likely. To that end, we are building tools for asset owners, asset managers, third-party distributors, and policymakers to evaluate how institutional investors are voting their proxies on climate-related issues.

We are seeking a Data Science Research Fellow to support this crucial work. This is a 6-month, part-time (~20 hours a week) commitment, carrying a stipend of $17,500, with renewal highly likely based on performance and the needs of the project. The Data Science Research Fellow will support the Executive Director in building out the back end of the CASs flagship ratings system, and in executing other ad hoc research projects related to the intersection of climate policy and corporate finance. You will be working with a small, entrepreneurial team primarily focused on launching CAS.

You are probably a good fit for this position if you have a zeal for independent research projects, a discriminating eye for interesting, underexamined questions, and an ability to use statistical programming languages (Stata, R, Python, SQL) to tell compelling stories with data to a generalist audience. Some domain expertise in financial services and/or climate policy is a positive.

This position is designed as a hybrid/remote role, though there will be opportunities to work from our Manhattan office if desired.

If you have any issues submitting documents or questions about the application, please contact operations@jainfamilyinstitute.org.

About JFI

JFI is an applied research organization in the social sciences. We work to bring just and equitable research and policy from conception in theory to implementation in society. Our current initiatives include applied research in higher education finance, guaranteed income, digital ethics, and macroeconomic research.

JFI is firmly committed to the principle of Equal Opportunity Opportunity (EEO). We believe that the quality of our work and research is immensely strengthened by the diversity of our network and our differences in culture, experience, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, race, ethnicity, disability, and more.

We actively seek and welcome applicants who identify as BIPOC, women, members of the LGBTQIA community, persons with disabilities, and people at the intersection and peripheries of these identities, and from across the spectrum of disciplines. For details about our staff and current projects, see http://www.jainfamilyinstitute.org.

Requirements

• Proficiency in one or more statistical programming languages (R, Python, Stata, etc.)
• Ability to distill and present key findings based on open-ended research in large data sets
• A bachelors degree and solid undergraduate performance in quantitative coursework
• Aptitude at managing long-term, highly independent workstreams
• Strong writing skills
  

Preferred Skills and Qualifications

• Work or academic experience in the financial industry, and/or in climate science, environmental policy, or environmental economics
• Past experience with social sciences research, including e.g. as an undergraduate intern or fellow

Benefits

• A stipend of $17,500, paid in biweekly installments for six months with the possibility of renewal based on performance and subject to project needs
• 401(k) plan with company matching
• The possibility of co-authoring research papers
• Opportunities to meet with leading scholars and policy experts