Dimensional Fund Advisors

Position Title/Short Description

Full Text of JOE Listing:

Dimensional is a global investment firm guided by deep convictions about the power of capital markets. We are a leader in applying advanced financial science to equity and fixed income investment strategies. By employing a rigorous and systematic investment approach, we seek to capture what the market offers in all its dimensions. For more than 30 years, we have translated research into real-world investment solutions for clients. Our clients include financial advisory, pension funds, retirement plans, college savings plans, insurance companies, endowments and foundations, and sovereign wealth funds. Headquartered in Austin, Texas, with 14 offices around the world, Dimensional manages $586 billion globally as of June 30, 2019.

The Research group at Dimensional is integral to providing an outstanding investment experience to our clients. The team produces thought leadership and rigorous research on investments and financial markets. Research is also involved in the design and development of the firm’s investment approach and the application of that approach through portfolio management and trading.

We are seeking a PhD-level Researcher for our Austin and/or Charlotte offices to help deliver these key services. Researchers are expected to produce high-quality, academically grounded research to support and enhance our investment strategies, improve our understanding of financial markets, and for client education. Research findings are shared through white papers and presentations at Dimensional seminars and conferences. This role reports to a senior member of the Research team.

Duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
Conduct rigorous empirical research related to portfolio structure and implementation, run historical simulations, perform regression, attribution and characteristics analysis, conduct econometric tests to evaluate the impact of different portfolio construction and implementation approaches on expected performance, costs, and diversification of our investment strategies. Work closely with our investment and sales team to develop investment solutions that meet our clients’ needs, goals, and preferences in a reliable, cost effective, and transparent way. Share our research findings through white papers and presentations at Dimensional seminars and conferences. Participate in and contribute to internal research seminars. Discuss Dimensional’s investment philosophy, process, and strategies with clients and prospects. Review the latest advances in the academic work on asset pricing to support and enhance our investment strategies and for client education.

Qualifications:
Candidates must have a PhD in a discipline such as finance, economics, computer science, engineering, actuarial mathematics, or statistics. Ideal candidates will have extensive experience doing empirical research with large datasets, a strong background in econometrics and statistics, and strong programming skills in one or more languages such as Python, R, SQL, SAS, Matlab, C, C++, C#, Java, or Fortran. The position requires an excellent ability to communicate financial and economic concepts, in both oral and written form to a variety of different audience types. Researchers are responsible for independently completing research projects, from idea generation to paper publication or strategy implementation. Strong candidates will also have exceptional attention to detail, imagination, and creativity.