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The MSCI Institute is entering a new phase of growth. Building on its strong foundation of exploratory research and collaboration, the Institute is expanding its thematic scope and deepening its influence with academics, policymakers, and leading NGO and industry groups shaping global capital markets. The Institute’s mission is to produce rigorous, data-driven research that not only informs investors, but also helps frame how markets, policy, and long-term capital allocation evolve. 

To support this ambition, the Institute is seeking a Senior Researcher to play a central role in shaping and delivering its research agenda. This is a highly strategic role for an experienced MSCI researcher who is motivated by intellectual impact, external influence, and the opportunity to help define the Institute’s next phase. 

This position represents a career-defining growth opportunity. The Senior Researcher will work closely with a small, high-performing core team under the direction of Linda-Eling Lee and Dan Cremin, with significant autonomy to set research priorities, design original work, and engage directly with senior external stakeholders. The role combines deep analytical research with visible external engagement —supporting flagship publications, senior client and stakeholder conversations, academic collaboration, and policy dialogue — while providing a platform to meaningfully expand one’s external profile and thought leadership footprint. 

For the right candidate, this role offers unusual scope: intellectual freedom, direct access to senior MSCI leadership, and the chance to influence debates well beyond MSCI, while remaining grounded in the firm’s unparalleled data, research capabilities, and global client relationships. 

The Senior Researcher will have end-to-end ownership of research initiatives within their domain, from agenda setting through external impact. Key responsibilities include: 

• Set and own the Institute’s research agenda within their domain, with end-to-end accountability for intellectual direction, analytical integrity, and external relevance. This includes identifying priority themes, framing the right research questions, and leading the design, execution, and delivery of original, high-impact research, often in collaboration with external partners as well as MSCI experts acting as Institute fellows.  (Institute fellows here). 

• Develop and promote Institute flagship publications, client briefings, and thought leadership that shape external debate, support senior client engagement, and elevate MSCI’s intellectual profile and brand value. (Example: Transition Finance Tracker; What the Market Thinks ) 

• Lead cross-functional projects from concept to delivery, coordinating contributors across research, product, technology, marketing, and commercial teams while maintaining analytical rigor, speed of execution, and strategic relevance. (Example project: Theory Meets Practice series) 

• Organize and curate closed-door roundtables, workshops, and dialogues that bring together investors, academics, and policymakers, using evidence and data to anchor discussion and position MSCI as a neutral, trusted convenor. (Examples of roundtable events: Sao Paolo pre-COP; NY Climate Week) 

• Engage directly with leading academics and policymakers to exchange ideas, test assumptions, and strengthen MSCI’s credibility, visibility, and trust as an independent authority on financial markets and systemic trends. (Example: Columbia University research exchange) 

• Represent MSCI externally in senior client meetings, roundtables, and industry forums, contributing to the Institute’s reach and reinforcing MSCI’s broader brand value. 

Academic and Professional Background 

• Demonstrated ability and strong motivation to bridge academic or theoretical rigor with practitioner insight. 

• Advanced degree in finance, economics, engineering, applied mathematics, data science, or a related analytical or quantitative field. 

• Strong grounding in finance and market theory, complemented by sustained exposure to real-world markets through regular, substantive interaction with MSCI clients. 

• Proven track record of owning research and/or methodology development end to end, from problem formulation and methodology design through analysis, narrative development, and external promotion.