Quantitative Associate

Duke PF; Durham (NC); On-site; USD 125,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive medical and dental care

Generous retirement benefits

Family-friendly and cultural programs

Job summary

Duke PF is seeking a highly motivated Quantitative Associate/Analyst to join their Data Science & Risk team in Durham, North Carolina. This position offers deep exposure to institutional investing and is ideal for candidates looking to grow their career in quantitative finance.

The ideal applicant should hold a Bachelor's or Master's degree in a quantitative field and possess strong skills in R or Python. This role will involve analyzing portfolio risk and performance, with significant opportunities for professional development.

Qualifications

• Minimum two years of experience in research and financial analysis.
• Experience with database querying (SQL).
• Prior internship or project experience in finance or asset management.

Responsibilities

• Analyze and model portfolio exposures, performance, and risk across various asset classes.
• Develop quantitative models to assess investment manager factor exposures.
• Explore and implement AI/ML techniques to enhance decision-making.

Skills

R or Python for data analysis

Portfolio performance analysis

Strong communication skills

Dashboards and data visualizations

Education

Bachelor's or Master's degree in Finance, Economics, Statistics, Computer Science, Engineering, or Mathematics

Tools

R Shiny

Tableau

Power BI

Job description

DUMAC is the investment office that manages a multi‑billion dollar global portfolio on behalf of Duke University and other pools of capital. Our mission is to provide critical financial support to the university for professorships, student scholarships, and pioneering research. The Data Science & Risk team serves as a central quantitative hub, partnering with all investment groups to drive data‑informed decision‑making, enhance portfolio construction, and manage risk.

DUMAC is seeking a highly motivated and intellectually curious Quantitative Associate/Analyst to join our Data Science & Risk team. This role is designed to provide deep, cross‑functional exposure to all aspects of institutional investing. You will work on high‑impact projects that span our Public, Private, and Direct investment portfolios as well as our back‑office operations.

This position offers a robust training ground for a career in quantitative finance and asset management, with the potential for long‑term advancement within the organization for exceptional performers. You will be a key contributor to the team, bringing fresh perspectives and technical skills to solve complex investment challenges.

Minimum Qualifications

Education

Work requires communications and analytical skills generally acquired through completion of a bachelor's degree program. An MBA and CFA are preferred.

Experience

Work requires experience in research and financial analysis, generally acquired through two years of related experience, or an equivalent combination of relevant education and/or experience.

What You’ll Do:

• Analyze and model portfolio exposures, performance, and risk across a diverse range of asset classes.
• Develop quantitative models to assess investment manager factor exposures and identify drivers of return.
• Contribute to private asset cash flow forecasting and pacing models to inform portfolio construction and liquidity management.
• Research, develop, and backtest systematic investment strategies in collaboration with investment teams.
• Explore and implement AI/ML techniques to enhance investment decision‑making and optimize operational workflows.
• Design, build, and maintain interactive dashboards and visualizations to communicate complex data and insights to stakeholders across the organization.
• Collaborate with investment professionals and operational teams (Finance, Legal) on a variety of cross‑functional projects.

What We’re Looking For

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in a quantitative field such as Finance, Economics, Statistics, Computer Science, Engineering, or Mathematics.
• A demonstrated passion for investing and a strong desire to learn about financial markets.
• Strong proficiency in R or Python for data analysis, modeling, and automation.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to articulate complex technical concepts to non‑technical audiences.
• An independent thinker with a proactive mindset and a high degree of intellectual curiosity.
• Experience building dashboards and data visualizations using tools like R Shiny, Python Dash, Tableau, or Power BI.
• Familiarity with financial markets, different asset classes, and investment concepts is a plus, but not required.
• Prior internship or project experience in finance, asset management, or a related quantitative field for Quantitative Analyst; 3–5‑year relevant work experience for Quantitative Associate.
• Exposure to machine learning libraries (e.g., scikit‑learn, TensorFlow, PyTorch) and techniques.
• Experience with database querying (e.g., SQL).

Why Join DUMAC?

• Impact: Play a critical role in supporting the mission of a world‑class university.
• Exposure: Gain unparalleled experience across public and private markets, working directly with seasoned investment professionals.
• Growth: Join a collaborative, mentorship‑driven environment with a clear path for professional development and learning.
• Culture: Be part of a dynamic, intellectually stimulating team that sits at the intersection of technology and finance.

Anticipated Pay Range: Duke University provides an annual base salary range for this position as USD $125,000.00 to USD $140,000.00. Duke University considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position; candidate's work experience, education/training, and key skills; internal peer equity; as well as market and organizational considerations when extending an offer.

Your total compensation goes beyond the dollars on your paycheck. Duke provides comprehensive and competitive medical and dental care programs, generous retirement benefits, and a wide array of family‑friendly and cultural programs to eligible team members. Learn more at https://hr.duke.edu/benefits/.

Equal Opportunity Employer: Duke is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy and pregnancy‑related conditions), sexual orientation, or military status.

Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas—an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.

Essential Physical Job Functions: Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essential job functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and reasonable accommodation(s) can be requested with Duke Access and Accommodations Services (email: [e-mail]; phone: 919‑668‑1267).

Nearest Major Market: Durham

Nearest Secondary Market: Raleigh

Read more about Duke’s commitment to affirmative action and nondiscrimination at hr.duke.edu/eeo.