Vice President, Quantitative Researcher

HarbourVest Partners; Boston (MA); Hybrid; USD 180,000 - 270,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Discretionary annual bonus

Health insurance

Paid time off

Job summary

HarbourVest Partners is seeking a Vice President, Quantitative Researcher to join our QIS team. You will lead quantitative modeling for private markets, develop scalable models, and communicate insights to investment teams and clients.

The ideal candidate brings 7–10+ years of experience, strong Python/SQL skills, and a proactive, collaborative approach in a fast-paced environment. This role offers a hybrid work arrangement and competitive total rewards.

Qualifications

• 7–10+ years of relevant experience in quantitative research, investing, or related finance roles.
• Strong foundation in quantitative equity research and systematic investment methodologies.
• Ability to conduct independent research, apply rigorous statistical techniques, and translate findings into actionable insights.
• Experience with large, complex datasets and developing quantitative models to support investment decisions.

Responsibilities

• Lead quantitative modeling and analysis of private markets to inform investment opportunities and risk/return drivers.
• Communicate results and actionable insights clearly to investment teams and stakeholders.
• Contribute to a strategic research and development plan and explore new models/AI techniques to scale the process.

Skills

Quantitative research

Python

SQL

Communication

Team collaboration

Problem solving

Entrepreneurial mindset

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree or PhD preferred

Tools

Python

SQL

Machine Learning

Job description

Job 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.

Job 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 that’s marked by low turnover and high energy, you’ll 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.

Vice President, Quantitative Researcher

As a member of the Quantitative Investment Sciences (QIS) team, this Vice President, 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 quantitative researcher for HarbourVest investment strategy teams, 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 markets and 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 private markets
• 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:

• Strong foundation in quantitative equity research and systematic investment methodologies
• Demonstrated ability to conduct independent research, apply rigorous statistical techniques, and translate findings into actionable investment insights
• Experience working with large, complex datasets and developing quantitative models to support investment decision-making
• Advanced programming skills in Python and SQL; familiarity with machine learning and data science techniques is a plus
• Experience within asset management, hedge funds, proprietary trading firms, or similar investment environments
• Exposure to private markets is preferred but not required
• Exceptional analytical, communication, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to influence both technical and investment stakeholders
• Intellectual curiosity, strong ownership, and the ability to thrive in a collaborative, fast-paced environment

Education:

• Bachelor of Arts (B.A) or Bachelor of Science (B.S.) required, preferably in Mathematics, Statistics, Economics, Physics, Computer Science, Engineering, Finance, or a related quantitative discipline
• Master's degree or Ph.D. in a quantitative field is strongly preferred

Experience:

• 7-10+ years of relevant experience in quantitative research, quantitative investing, systematic investing, or related quantitative finance roles

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.

Benefits and Compensation

• participation in long-term reward programs (typically for more senior-level roles).
• retirement contributions
• health insurance
• income protection
• paid time off and leave benefits
• well-being 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.