Quantitative Researcher - Climate Indexes

MSCI; London, London; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Vice President of Index Management Research to enhance Climate index methodologies. This role involves significant client interaction, research, and collaboration with internal teams to develop innovative investment solutions. The ideal candidate will bring extensive experience in ESG and Climate investing, alongside strong analytical skills and a client-centric approach. Join a dynamic team that values innovation and performance, and contribute to shaping the future of sustainable investment strategies. This is a unique opportunity to make a meaningful impact in the financial sector while working in a supportive and inclusive environment.

Benefits

Transparent compensation schemes

Flexible working arrangements

Collaborative workspaces

Access to Learning@MSCI platform

Multi-directional career paths

Employee Resource Groups

Qualifications

• 8-10 years of financial industry experience with a focus on ESG and Climate.
• Strong quantitative and analytical skills, including proficiency in Python.

Responsibilities

• Manage the lifecycle of Climate Indexes, ensuring accuracy and compliance.
• Engage with clients on index methodology topics, providing expert guidance.

Skills

ESG / Climate experience

Equity index investing knowledge

Quantitative knowledge

Analytical skills

Python

Client interaction

Attention to detail

Job description

Your Team Responsibilities

The MSCI Index Management Research (IMR) Team is a global client-centric research group that is responsible for the cross-asset ongoing maintenance and enhancement of MSCI index methodologies. This responsibility spans all MSCI ESG & Climate, Factor, Thematic and Cap-weighted Indexes primarily focused on equities. The team is present in multiple locations across key regions.

The IMR group performs index policy research, index methodology consultations, as well as market research in the context of MSCI’s market classification review. The group is also responsible for the rebalancing of indices.

The group works closely with other groups within research (New Product Development Research, ESG Research) and across the firm (data, technology, product, coverage) to implement the IMR agenda and benefits from the substantial resources and expertise across the global MSCI organization.

The Quantiative Research Climate role is a dedicated role for Climate Indexes. The expectation from the role would be deep expertise on Climate Indexes, which includes the regulated CTB/PAB Indexes and strong collaboration with Climate experts across the global MSCI organization.

Your Key Responsibilities

As a Vice President of Index Management Research you will play a key role in the ongoing development and enhancement of Climate index methodologies and investment solutions for Climate focused investors. You will work in a team that responds to a client base in your location related to Climate index methodology topics. This will include significant time interacting directly with clients ideally both in person and/or virtually. You will be responsible for all aspects of rebalancing the indices you own ensuring full accuracy of data and be in a position to discuss in depth all Climate & ESG methodologies with both internal audiences and with clients.

The Vice President of Index Management Research will also be involved in general Index Management Research responsibilities such as index policy research and expert guidance in new product development.

You will be expected to:

1. Responsible for the entire lifecycle of Climate Indexes, this includes responsibility of rebalances and error mitigation.
2. Speak to a wide range of index methodology topics across our entire suite of index offering, with an ESG / Climate focus. This will include helping to ensure that our ESG and Climate index methodologies appropriately incorporate the latest investment trends and regulatory developments, that the construct is robust and comprehensive, and that methodologies are dictated by a framework centered on market portfolio management practices and index replication.
3. Contribute to consultation construction and extensive client interaction and engagement.
4. Respond to client-based index methodological and research-based queries in the region.
5. Be a leader representing Index Research & Development between internal teams such as ESG Research, Product Management, Coverage, IT and DCS in managing project work streams and in significantly contributing to the overall research and organizational agenda.

Your skills and experience that will help you excel

1. 8-10 years direct or financial industry experience, relevant ESG / Climate experience required.
2. The candidate should have very good knowledge around the fundamentals of equity index investing and construction, ideally other asset class knowledge as well.
3. Fundamental knowledge and familiarity around concepts of index maintenance and portfolio management/replication across asset classes.
4. Experience of working on a Portfolio Management desk for an Asset Manager is a plus.
5. Extensive experience and comfortability with clients is central to success in the role.
6. Very good quantitative knowledge and analytical skills including Python.
7. A self-starter who can hit the ground running on Index Management and working closely with multiple clients.
8. Attention to detail and the ability to multi-task and prioritize multiple deliverables.

About MSCI

What we offer you

• 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, 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.

At MSCI we are passionate about what we do, and we are inspired by our purpose – to power better investment decisions. You’ll be part of an industry-leading network of creative, curious, and entrepreneurial pioneers. This is a space where you can challenge yourself, set new standards and perform beyond expectations for yourself, our clients, and our industry.

MSCI is a leading provider of critical decision support tools and services for the global investment community. With over 50 years of expertise in research, data, and technology, we power better investment decisions by enabling clients to understand and analyze key drivers of risk and return and confidently build more effective portfolios. We create industry-leading research-enhanced solutions that clients use to gain insight into and improve transparency across the investment process.