MSCI Inc.

MSCI Institute Senior Researcher

MSCI Inc. • $147K — $191K *
New York, NY 10025In-Person
Education, Government & Non-Profit
Less than 5 years of experience
Reposted Today
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Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Advanced degree in finance, economics, engineering, applied mathematics, data science, or a quantitative field.
  • Strong grounding in finance and market theory with client-facing experience.
  • Proven track record of end-to-end research ownership and methodology development.
  • Minimum 2 years of experience at MSCI or similar roles in research and market engagement.
  • Adaptability and agility in uncertain environments, with a focus on execution-driven outcomes.

Responsibilities

  • Set and manage the research agenda with accountability for quality and relevance.
  • Promote thought leadership publications and client materials that influence external discourse.
  • Lead cross-functional project teams for research initiatives, ensuring analytical quality and timeliness.
  • Organize roundtable discussions to engage stakeholders and reinforce MSCI's credibility.
  • Interact with top academics and policymakers to strengthen MSCI's authority and visibility.
  • Act as the external face of MSCI in high-stakes meetings and industry discussions.

Benefits

  • Comprehensive employee benefits tailored by location for financial security and wellbeing.
  • Flexible working arrangements and collaborative workspace environments.
  • Access to a global talent network and ongoing professional development opportunities.
  • Encouragement of innovation with a focus on accountability for results.
  • Robust global orientation and learning programs to foster career growth.
Full Job Description
Your Team Responsibilities

The Senior Researcher will have end-to-end ownership of research initiatives within their domain, from agenda setting through external impact. Key responsibilities include:

  • Set and own the Institute's research agenda within their domain, with end-to-end accountability for intellectual direction, analytical integrity, and external relevance. This includes identifying priority themes, framing the right research questions, and leading the design, execution, and delivery of original, high-impact research, often in collaboration with external partners as well as MSCI experts acting as Institute fellows. (Institute fellows here).
  • Develop and promote Institute flagship publications, client briefings, and thought leadership that shape external debate, support senior client engagement, and elevate MSCI's intellectual profile and brand value. (Example: Transition Finance Tracker; What the Market Thinks )
  • Lead cross-functional projects from concept to delivery, coordinating contributors across research, product, technology, marketing, and commercial teams while maintaining analytical rigor, speed of execution, and strategic relevance. (Example project: Theory Meets Practice series)
  • Organize and curate closed-door roundtables, workshops, and dialogues that bring together investors, academics, and policymakers, using evidence and data to anchor discussion and position MSCI as a neutral, trusted convenor. (Examples of roundtable events: Sao Paolo pre-COP; NY Climate Week)
  • Engage directly with leading academics and policymakers to exchange ideas, test assumptions, and strengthen MSCI's credibility, visibility, and trust as an independent authority on financial markets and systemic trends. (Example: Columbia University research exchange)
  • Represent MSCI externally in senior client meetings, roundtables, and industry forums, contributing to the Institute's reach and reinforcing MSCI's broader brand value.


Your skills and experience that will help you excel

Academic and Professional Background
  • Demonstrated ability and strong motivation to bridge academic or theoretical rigor with practitioner insight.
  • Advanced degree in finance, economics, engineering, applied mathematics, data science, or a related analytical or quantitative field.
  • Strong grounding in finance and market theory, complemented by sustained exposure to real-world markets through regular, substantive interaction with MSCI clients.
  • Proven track record of owning research and/or methodology development end to end, from problem formulation and methodology design through analysis, narrative development, and external promotion.


Mindset and Career Stage
  • Typically 2+ years of experience within MSCI (Index, Analytics, or Multi-Asset-Class research preferred), or equivalent experience combining deep MSCI collaboration with strong external research or market-facing roles.
  • Mid- to senior-level (VP) individual at MSCI with track record of consistent delivery; trusted to operate independently on high-visibility initiatives.
  • Motivated by intellectual impact rather than narrow role definition, with the drive to shape MSCI's external thought leadership and amplify MSCI's brand value.
  • Likes moving fast under uncertainty; agile and adaptable, with the ability to operate in evolving problem spaces without established playbooks.
  • Strongly execution-oriented, with a demonstrated ability to deliver projects, content, and insights quickly and to a high standard.
  • Naturally curious, with a habit of scanning for new themes emerging across markets, policy debates, academic research, and client conversations.


Knowledge and Skills
  • Experience accessing multiple MSCI datasets, models, and core solutions across products and regions (e.g., Indexes, Barra); ability to synthesize insights across platforms.
  • Proficiency in Python or R; working knowledge of AI and machine learning as applied to financial markets.
  • Uncompromising on accuracy and analytical integrity; rigorous fact-checker with strong attention to detail.
  • Strong visualization and graphical skills are a major plus.


Communication and Collaboration
  • Strong storyteller, both written and verbal; ability to combine MSCI data and external sources into compelling narratives. Confident communicator, i.e. the 'face of the Institute' in their domain online and in industry forums.
  • Strong presentation skills, delivered to senior, technical, and non-technical audiences.
  • Proven ability to work effectively across research, product, technology, marketing, and commercial teams, with strong interpersonal relationships across functions and products at MSCI.


What we offer you
  • Salary range: $147,000 - $191,000 /year plus eligible for annual bonus.
  • Transparent compensation schemes and comprehensive employee benefits, tailored to your location, ensuring your financial security, health, and overall wellbeing.
  • Flexible working arrangements, advanced technology, and collaborative workspaces.
  • A culture of high performance and innovation where we experiment with new ideas and take responsibility for achieving results.
  • A global network of talented colleagues, who inspire, support, and share their expertise to innovate and deliver for our clients.
  • Global Orientation program to kickstart your journey, followed by access to our Learning@MSCI platform, AI Learning Center , LinkedIn Learning Pro and tailored learning opportunities for ongoing skills development.
  • Multi-directional career paths that offer professional growth and development through new challenges, internal mobility and expanded roles.
  • We actively nurture an environment that builds a sense of inclusion belonging and connection, including eight Employee Resource Groups. All Abilities, Asian Support Network, Black Leadership Network, Climate Action Network, Hola! MSCI, Pride & Allies, Women in Tech, and Women's Leadership Forum.

About MSCI Inc.

MSCI Inc. is a leading provider of investment decision support tools and services to investors globally. The company offers a range of products and services including indexes, analytics, and data to help investors make better investment decisions. MSCI Inc. was founded in 1998 and is headquartered in New York, New York. The company has operations in more than 30 countries and serves clients in over 100 countries. MSCI Inc. is a publicly traded company and is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol MSCI.
Learn more about MSCI Inc.
Size
4,361 employees
Market Cap
$36.6 billion
Industry
Finance & Insurance
Net Income
$601.8 million
Founded
1998
5 Year Trend
+12.2%
Revenue
$1.6 billion
NASDAQ
MSCI
* Ladders Estimates

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