Position Overview:We are seeking a VP of Quantitative Research to lead the development and prediction of trends in the overall art market, including index construction, predictive analytics, and Machine Learning.
Team Overview:The research team consists of the following functions:
- Data Infrastructure & Reporting - responsible for owning data pipelines, database architecture, and analytical reporting.
- Data Quality & Operations - owns the integrity of the underlying auction dataset, including repeat-sale pair construction, currency conversion logic, buyer's premium separation, and auction house coverage QA.
- Quantitative Modeling & ML - consists of index construction, artist ranking models, momentum and acceleration signals, and predictive feature development. This team primarily drives a quantitative counterpart to the Art Acquisitions team and owns the model layer that feeds directly into IC recommendations.
Responsibilities Overview:We are ideally seeking an experienced, high-performing individual who is highly curious about the art market, worked in quantitative research at a traditional asset manager, and has led diverse teams.
- Help evolve the Masterworks Contemporary Art Index methodology - including repeat-sales regression, hedonic pricing, and return-bounds filtering - in a form suitable for CFTC review and third-party licensing
- Lead development of artist-level predictive models, including ML feature engineering, F1-score optimization, and momentum/acceleration signal identification
- Help translate quantitative research into actionable acquisition recommendations alongside the Art Acquisitions team
Requirements and Preferred Experience:- 10+ years in quantitative research, data science, or financial economics - ideally with exposure to alternative assets, structured products, or index construction
- Hands-on experience with repeat-sales regression, hedonic pricing, or similar asset valuation methodologies strongly preferred
- Proficiency in Python and / or R; comfort with SQL and large transactional datasets
- Deep intellectual curiosity about what drives returns in illiquid, infrequently-traded asset markets
Measurements of Success in First 90 Days:- Assist in improving / adapting current Masterworks index methodologies to support derivative investment products
- Augment existing model through feature enrichment, leading to increased F1-score
- Develop 2 - 3 models to utilize in order to better understand trends in artists markets
- Identify investment metrics that can be applied to artists markets to identify momentum or accelerating markets
- Aid in the execution of backend development for analytics and business objectives
Additional Requirements:- Must be able to work in the NYC office 5 days per week
- Must be eligible to work in the US
Benefits at Masterworks:- Daily catered lunches and free admission to art museums and galleries
- Health, dental, and vision coverage with FSA options
- PTO, company holidays, paid parental leave, and 401k
- Happy hours, company outings, and more!
