Director, Research Support

Jacobs Levy Equity Management; Ardmore (PA); On-site; USD 130,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Wharton Research Data Services (WRDS) is seeking a Director of Research Support to advance analytics, tools, and data products for academic and corporate users. Lead research consultation, training, and guidance on empirical methods while evaluating new datasets to enhance WRDS offerings and productivity.

The role requires a Ph.D. in Finance or Accounting (or ABD) and at least 1 year of post-bachelor's experience, with proficiency in Python/SAS and big data environments, plus exposure to major

Qualifications

• Ph.D. (or ABD) in Finance or Accounting with dissertation in progress.
• At least 1 year post-bachelor's experience in analytics and data tools.
• Experience with Python and SAS in big data environments.
• Empirical research using CRSP, Compustat, IBES, or Household-Finance datasets.

Responsibilities

• Develop and enhance WRDS analytics, research tools, applications, and data products.
• Provide research consultation and training to academics and corporate users.
• Support empirical research, troubleshooting, and site visits to promote WRDS usage.
• Evaluate new datasets and monitor finance and accounting research trends.

Skills

Python

SAS

Big data

Machine Learning

LLM

AI

Education

Ph.D. in Finance or Accounting

Tools

CRSP

Compustat

IBES

Household-Finance data

Job description

The Director of Research Support develops and enhances WRDS analytics, research tools, applications, and data products for academic and corporate users. The role provides research consultation, technical support, training, and guidance on empirical methods; evaluates new datasets; and monitors developments in finance and accounting research to improve WRDS offerings and research productivity.

Responsibilities will include:

• Provide to the WRDS Academic Research Community and Corporate Clients high-quality Analytics, Research Programs, Applications, Financial engines, and related research tools to improve their research productivity.
• Provide support to faculty and PhD users by offering consultative guidance on empirical research best practices, troubleshooting data and tool issues that may affect research results, and conducting site visits and training sessions to promote the effective use of WRDS for academic research.
• Track the evolution of top academic research in finance and accounting to help WRDS create its own signature research products and provide new data sources to the research community.
• Construct and enhance existing data-research products by refining analytics, research tools, and applications using WRDS data to improve data usability, research accuracy, and efficiency.
• Evaluate and recommend new datasets based on their potential to advance new research and enhance WRDS data offerings.
• Perform additional duties as assigned

Qualifications

Ph.D. (or foreign equivalent) in Finance or Accounting. The requirement of a Ph.D., usual for faculty recruiting, means that an applicant must have received the degree or be at least “ABD,” meaning all requirements for the degree except the dissertation have been completed, with an understanding that the dissertation would be completed in the same academic year.

Must have 1 year of post-bachelor's experience (may be gained pre-Ph.D. degree), in the following:

• Providing high-quality research programs, analytics, applications, research replications, and related research tools.
• Constructing and enhancing data-research products by evaluating research datasets focused on new research and providing new data sources to the research community.
• Performing academic research through the WRDS system on finance or accounting using Python and/or SAS programming skills in big data environments and Textual Analysis using Machine Learning, LLM, and AI;
• Performing empirical academic research with CRSP, Compustat, IBES, and/or Household-Finance datasets.

About the Organization

Founded in 1881 as the world’s first collegiate business school, the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania is shaping the future of business by incubating ideas, driving insights, and creating leaders who change the world. With campuses in both Philadelphia and San Francisco, Wharton has over 850 staff, a faculty population of more than 235 renowned professors, and 5,000 undergraduate, MBA, executive MBA, and doctoral students. Each year 13,000 professionals from around the world advance their careers through Wharton Executive Education’s individual, company-customized, and online programs. More than 104,000 Wharton alumni form a powerful global network of leaders who transform business every day. Wharton is home to a dynamic community of staff, bringing a wide range of skills, experiences, and perspectives. To learn more, visit www.wharton.upenn.edu.

Wharton Research Data Services (WRDS) is a comprehensive research platform operated by the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania that provides research tools and access to a wide range of financial, economic, and business research datasets. It is widely used by academic institutions, researchers, and professionals for data analysis, empirical research, and financial modeling.