Quantitative Researcher, Private Equity Secondaries

InforCapital; Boston, Northern (MA, KY); Hybrid; USD 160,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

HarbourVest Partners in Boston is seeking a quantitative researcher to model private equity secondaries, develop insights, and support investment diligence. You will drive models, communicate findings to the investment team, and lead a research plan with leadership.

The role includes supporting fundraising and ad-hoc analyses. Requires 3+ years in quantitative finance, strong statistics, and hands-on Python and SQL skills.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience in a quantitative finance role.
• Strong statistical analysis of large datasets.
• Proficient in Python programming and SQL.

Responsibilities

• Quantitative modeling and analysis of private equity markets and secondaries (80%).
• Communicate results and insights to the investment team.
• Lead a strategic research and development plan with investment leadership.
• Support fundraising and ad-hoc quantitative analysis (20%).

Skills

Quantitative analysis

Python

SQL

Education

BA/BS required

MS or PhD preferred

Tools

SQL

Job description

LocationBoston United States of America## About This RoleJob Description Summary For over forty years, HarbourVest has been home to a committed team of professionals with an entrepreneurial spirit and a desire to deliver impactful solutions to our clients and investing partners. As our global firm grows, we continue to add individuals who seek a collaborative, open-door culture that values diversity and innovative thinking. In our collegial environment thatâs marked by low turnover and high energy, youâll be inspired to grow and thrive. Here, you will be encouraged to build on your strengths and acquire new skills and experiences. We are committed to fostering an environment of inclusion that promotes mutual respect among all employees. Understanding and valuing these differences optimizes the potential of both the individual and the firm. HarbourVest is an equal opportunity employer. This position will be a hybrid work arrangement. You will receive 18 remote workdays per quarter to use at your discretion, subject to manager approval. For example, you may choose to work in the office 4 days per week and take one remote day weekly (typically 13 weeks per quarter), leaving 5 additional remote days to be used as needed. As a member of the Quantitative Investment Sciences (QIS) team, this quantitative researcher will join a highly diverse and growing group of expert researchers, data engineers and software developers who are pioneering the development and application of quantitative models and tools to private market investment decision making and portfolio management. This motivated individual will serve as a dedicated researcher for HarbourVestâs Private Equity Secondary strategy team, generating quantitative insights to inform investment diligence and asset selection, portfolio construction, and support client engagements and fundraising. Our team's projects harness large proprietary private market datasets and statistical models to enhance a traditionally fundamental research-based investment process. The ideal candidate is someone with: Passion for financial markets and investing Innovative, pragmatic approach to quantitative investment research Entrepreneurial initiative Excels at clearly and effectively communicating insights from quantitative analysis to technical and non-technical stakeholders Strives in a collegial and collaborative team-oriented environment Willing to work in a position with uneven and high priority project work What you will do: Quantitative modeling and analysis of private equity markets and secondary investment opportunities (80%) Take a lead role in applying models to characterize market risk/return relationships and return drivers, and to evaluate investment opportunities in the PE secondaries market. Accountable for communicating results and actionable insights to the investment team. Lead a strategic research and development plan with investment team leadership. Seek to incorporate new models and techniques (AI/ML) to enhance and scale the investment process. Support fundraising and ad-hoc quantitative analysis requests (20%) Support client-facing teams and publishing insightful research. What you bring: Experience in quantitative equity is required. Prior private markets experience is not required. Demonstrate rigorous statistical analysis and experience analyzing large, complex datasets. Strong programming skills, preferably in Python (including numerical, statistical modeling and visualization libraries) and SQL. Prefer prior independent research experience (academic thesis or industry research) Education: Bachelor of Arts (B.A) or Bachelor of Science (B.S.) required Prefer master's degree or Ph.D. in a technical field Experience: 3+ years of experience in a quantitative finance role Salary Range $160,000.00 - $240,000.00 This USD base salary range represents only one component of total compensation for this role and is provided in accordance with local requirements. This role is eligible for a discretionary annual bonus, which is determined based on individual and overall firm performance. In addition to salary and bonus, total compensation may include eligibility for long-term reward programs and a comprehensive total rewards package that may include retirement, health, insurance, paid time off, and wellness programs. Our total rewards offerings are influenced by several business factors, and eligibility for certain components will vary by position and geography. Please note the posted ranges do not apply outside the U.S. and should not be converted to other currencies as a proxy for compensation in other countries. HarbourVest is an independent, global private markets firm with over 43 years of experience and more than $146 billion of assets under management as of June 30, 2025. Our interwoven platform provides clients access to global primary funds, secondary transactions, direct co-investments, real assets and infrastructure, and private credit. Our strengths extend across strategies, enabled by our team of more than 1,270 employees, including more than 230 investment professionals across Asia, Europe, and the Americas. Across our private markets platform, our team has committed more than $64 billion to newly-formed funds, completed over $66 billion in secondary purchases, and invested over $49 billion in direct operating companies. We partner strategically and plan our offerings innovatively to provide our clients with access, insight, and global opportunities.