Pre-Doctoral Research Associate in Finance

The Finance Unit at NYU Shanghai Business invites applications for a full-time Pre-Doctoral Research Associate position beginning as early as September 2026. The appointment is for one year, renewable for an additional year depending on satisfactory performance. 

This position is designed for individuals with a strong interest in academic research in finance, economics, or related fields and who plan to pursue a graduate or postgraduate study in Finance, Economics, or related disciplines in the future.

The successful candidate will work closely with faculty members in the Finance Unit at NYU Shanghai on cutting-edge research projects in areas such as household finance, climate finance, and asset pricing. Depending on project needs and mutual interests, the pre-doc may collaborate with multiple faculty members and their coauthors at leading universities worldwide.

Research responsibilities may include:

• Collecting, cleaning, and managing large-scale datasets;
• Conducting empirical analysis using statistical and econometric methods;
• Assisting with the implementation of machine learning and data science techniques;
• Performing literature reviews and preparing research materials;
• Supporting the preparation of academic manuscripts, presentations, and conference submissions.

The position provides extensive exposure to frontier academic research and offers opportunities to participate in the intellectual life of NYU Shanghai, including research seminars and workshops.

Our goal is not only to support faculty research but also to prepare successful candidates for admission to top graduate and postgraduate programs in Finance, Economics, and related disciplines. Strong performance may result in close mentorship and detailed recommendation letters from faculty members.

The ideal candidate will:

• Hold a bachelor’s or master’s degree in economics, finance, statistics, data science, or a related quantitative discipline;
• Have experience with statistical and programming tools such as Stata, Python, R, SQL, or similar software;
• Demonstrate the ability to work independently and solve problems proactively;
• Have excellent communication skills and attention to detail;
• Have a long-term interest in pursuing academic research in finance or economics.

Experience with machine learning methods, large-scale data processing, or financial datasets is desirable but not required.

Appointment Terms

• Full-time position based in Shanghai, China.
• Earliest start date: September 2026.
• The initial appointment is for one year, ending in August 2027.
• The appointment may be renewed for an additional year, through August 2028, subject to satisfactory performance.
• International applicants are welcome to apply but their eligibility and appointment start date are subject to immigration regulations.

Application Materials

Interested applicants should submit a CV and a cover letter describing their research interests and future academic plans. They should also send transcripts, contact information for two referees, and a sample of coding or research work (optional but encouraged) to yiqing.lu@nyu.edu as a part of the application dockets. 

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Please visit our NYU Shanghai Career Site for instructions and other information on how to apply. For further questions on the position details, please contact Prof. Yiqing Lu at yiqing.lu@nyu.edu.

About NYU Shanghai

NYU Shanghai is China’s first Sino-US research university and the third degree-granting campus of the NYU Global Network. We were founded in 2012 by New York University and East China Normal University with the support of the city of Shanghai and the district of Pudong. NYU Shanghai seeks to cultivate globally-minded graduates through innovative teaching, world-class research, and a commitment to public service. 

NYU Shanghai is an equal opportunity employer committed to equity, diversity and social inclusion. We are proud of its diverse and talented staff members, who work together to build and sustain this unique and pioneering institution of higher education in China. 

For more information about NYU Shanghai, please visit https://shanghai.nyu.edu. You can also follow our official WeChat Account: NYUShanghaiRecruit for more updated news.