Quantitative Investment Researcher - BlackRock Investment Institute, Associate

About this role

BlackRock is one of the world's largest and most prominent investment management firms, managing trillions of dollars in assets for institutions, governments, and individuals worldwide.  We offer a wide range of investment products and services, including mutual funds, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), and alternative investments, catering to various investor needs and risk appetites.  BlackRock has embraced technology in its operations and investment strategies, utilizing advanced analytics, machine learning, and data-driven insights to enhance decision-making processes and optimize portfolio performance. 

The BlackRock investment institute (BII) leverages BlackRock's expertise and produces proprietary research to provide insights on the global economy, markets, geopolitics, and long-term asset allocation - all to help clients and portfolio managers navigate financial markets. We systematically leverage BlackRock’s expertise in markets, asset classes, and client segments to help our portfolio managers deliver positive investment results for clients. Our focus is to keep our investment professionals connected, informed, and on the cutting edge of investment thinking. 

BSI Intel (BlackRock Sustainable Investing Intelligence) is BlackRock’s systematic proprietary company level sustainable scoring framework for investment purposes powering $135bn AUM and sits within SIRA (Sustainable Investment Research and Analytics) within BII. The candidate would be part of the BSI Intel research team contributing active systematic research, delivering investment performance of the BSI Intel strategies and helping to grow the business. 

Responsibilities: 

• Develop innovative investment ideas using quantitative analysis to capture long-run rewarded sustainable insights. This may include a review of existing data, testing of the usability of new datasets, or leveraging AI, data science or ML methodologies, and back-testing of these strategies and interpretation/implementation of output results to improve our research process 

• Construct and maintain quantitative investment strategies including portfolio rebalancing oversight 

• Deliver high quality signal research with a focus on long-only global equities and the usage of novel datasets  

• Collaborate with research colleagues across the firm on investment ideas, with portfolio managers on efficient execution of ideas and with investment strategists on innovative investment products 

• Collaborate with wider BlackRock platforms to deliver innovative systematic sustainable solutions  

Qualifications: 

• Experience working in the Quantitative Investment space

• Proficiency in at least one programming language such as Python, Matlab or similar. SQL and Unix experience a plus but not necessary 

• Detailed knowledge of data science and statistical techniques, portfolio optimization, financial economics and risk models 

• Attention to detail, curious and self-motivated. Highly organized and ability to work towards tight deadlines 

• Good communication skills: ability to communicate complex ideas clearly to colleagues and clients and ability to present at quantitative conferences 

• Collaborative team player, willing to engage with other colleagues, share ideas and give/receive constructive feedback 

Education: 

• The ideal candidate would have a degree in a quantitative field, such as mathematics, econometrics, computer science, or “hard sciences” and a specialization in economics/finance either through coursework/internship or a graduate degree. PhD or equivalent (Post-doc) is a plus 

Our benefits

To help you stay energized, engaged and inspired, we offer a wide range of employee benefits including: retirement investment and tools designed to help you in building a sound financial future; access to education reimbursement; comprehensive resources to support your physical health and emotional well-being; family support programs; and Flexible Time Off (FTO) so you can relax, recharge and be there for the people you care about.

Our hybrid work model

BlackRock’s hybrid work model is designed to enable a culture of collaboration and apprenticeship that enriches the experience of our employees, while supporting flexibility for all. Employees are currently required to work at least 4 days in the office per week, with the flexibility to work from home 1 day a week. Some business groups may require more time in the office due to their roles and responsibilities. We remain focused on increasing the impactful moments that arise when we work together in person – aligned with our commitment to performance and innovation. As a new joiner, you can count on this hybrid model to accelerate your learning and onboarding experience here at BlackRock.

Guidance on AI use for candidates

At BlackRock, AI has long been part of how we work – enhancing decision-making, improving operations, and helping us deliver better outcomes for clients. We encourage candidates to use AI thoughtfully to learn, prepare, and work more effectively; but during our interview process, we want to focus on getting to know you through your own experiences, thinking, and judgment. To support you, we’ve provided guidance on when and how to use AI during our hiring process so you can approach each step with confidence and showcase your best self.

About BlackRock

At BlackRock, we are all connected by one mission: to help more and more people experience financial well-being.  Our clients, and the people they serve, are saving for retirement, paying for their children’s educations, buying homes and starting businesses. Their investments also help to strengthen the global economy: support businesses small and large; finance infrastructure projects that connect and power cities; and facilitate innovations that drive progress.

This mission would not be possible without our smartest investment – the one we make in our employees. It’s why we’re dedicated to creating an environment where our colleagues feel welcomed, valued and supported with networks, benefits and development opportunities to help them thrive.

To learn more about BlackRock, please visit Careers.BlackRock.com. We also encourage you to get to know us on LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube, X, and TikTok.

BlackRock is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer.  We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to age, disability, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation and other protected characteristics at law.