We are seeking an Associate to join the Central Trading & Risk Management team of a multi-manager, market neutral equity hedge fund. The team partners directly with portfolio managers to optimize portfolio construction, manage risk, develop quantitative investment tools, and improve investment performance across the platform. This is a highly analytical role with broad exposure to the investment process, combining risk management, quantitative research, portfolio construction, and data analysis. This role provides a unique opportunity to influence investment decisions across multiple portfolio managers and strategies while helping shape the quantitative infrastructure of MSIM's flagship market-neutral equity platform. Job Description • Perform factor attribution and portfolio exposure analysis across managers and strategies. • Develop and enhance portfolio construction and optimization methodologies. • Research new alpha signals and evaluate interactions with portfolio positioning. • Design quantitative tools supporting investment decision making. • Conduct stress testing and scenario analysis across portfolios. • Monitor fund-wide exposures across portfolios and identify concentrations or emerging risks. • Partner with trading to improve execution and implementation efficiency. • Monitor market developments and proactively communicate portfolio risks, opportunities, and positioning implications to portfolio managers and senior leadership. • Analyze portfolio performance and attribute returns across factors, sectors, themes, and individual positions. • Design and develop Python-based analytical tools, research infrastructure, and automation that improve portfolio analytics and investment workflows. Qualifications • 2-5 years of relevant job experience, preferably on the buy side in a multi-manager platform. • Strong understanding of equity markets, equity index futures, and market-neutral portfolio construction. • Experience with equity risk models, such as MSCI Barra, Axioma, or in-house models. • Deep knowledge of statistical methods and quantitative techniques. • Proficiency with Python and SQL. • Experience working with large financial datasets and time series. • Experience with portfolio optimization, stress testing, and simulations. • Demonstrated interest in financial markets and a passion for quantitative investing. • Excellent verbal communication and relationship management skills. • Ability to work both independently and be a strong team contributor with proactive drive to deliver results. • Outstanding attention to detail and committed to process and related improvements. • Flexible, quick learner with the ability to multi-task. • Advanced degree in quantitative discipline such as Mathematics, Statistics, Engineering, Computer Science, or a closely related field from an accredited university. Ideal Candidate The successful candidate is intellectually curious, collaborative, and enjoys solving complex investment problems using data and quantitative methods. They are equally comfortable building research tools, analyzing risk, and engaging with portfolio managers on investment decisions. They possess strong communication skills, thrive in a fast-paced investment environment, and can translate sophisticated quantitative analyses into actionable insights. Expected base pay rates for the role will be between $120,000 and $150,000 per year at the commencement of employment. However, base pay if hired will be determined on an individualized basis and is only part of the total compensation package, which, depending on the position, may also include commission earnings, incentive compensation, discretionary bonuses, other short and long-term incentive packages, and other Morgan Stanley sponsored benefit programs.