Applied AI – Index Research & Development

The AI Index R&D team is part of MSCI's broader Index Research and Development organization, driving innovation through the integration of artificial intelligence and data science into index research, construction, and delivery. Our team develops AI-powered tools, frameworks, and workflows that enhance the efficiency, scalability, and insight generation of index research. We work closely with Data & AI, Index Engineering, and Index Product teams to explore how large language models (LLMs), retrieval-augmented generation (RAG), and agentic systems can transform how MSCI designs, evaluates, and communicates index methodologies. The team operates at the intersection of AI research, applied engineering, and financial analytics, combining technical innovation with domain expertise to shape the next generation of MSCI Index capabilities.

Your Key Responsibilities:

• Design and develop advanced AI systems leveraging LLMs, RAG, and agentic architectures to enhance index research, methodology interpretation, and automation.
• Prototype and validate new AI concepts, translating research ideas into working, production-ready solutions.
• Integrate and optimize AI workflows with data systems such as Snowflake, ClickHouse, and internal APIs to enable scalable and intelligent automation.
• Develop and maintain testing, evaluation, and quality-control frameworks to ensure reliability and transparency of AI-generated outputs.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with Index R&D, Data & AI, and Engineering teams to ensure alignment between AI innovation and business priorities.
• Explore emerging technologies in LLM orchestration, multi-agent reasoning, and Model Context Protocol (MCP) to identify and adopt best practices for MSCI's AI ecosystem.
• Contribute to the evolution of MSCI's AI Index framework, helping define standards, governance, and deployment practices for responsible AI in index research.

Your skills and experience that will help you excel:

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Finance, or another quantitative field with exposure to AI or Data Science.
• Over 6 years' experience in the financial services or data industry; 1-2 years of hands-on experience with large language models (LLMs), RAG systems, agentic workflows, or applied AI research.
• Strong Python programming skills, with experience using modern AI and orchestration frameworks such as LangChain, LlamaIndex, or equivalent.
• Familiarity with data infrastructure (SQL, Snowflake, ClickHouse) and cloud environments (Azure, AWS, or GCP).
• Understanding of financial indexes, factors, ESG, and thematic investing and their role in institutional portfolios.
• Experience designing multi-step reasoning systems and scalable API-based solutions.
• Excellent analytical, communication, and presentation skills, with a detail-oriented and proactive mindset.
• Ability to work effectively in a collaborative, fast-paced research environment, balancing innovation with methodological rigor.

About MSCI:

What we offer you: Transparent compensation schemes and comprehensive employee benefits, tailored to your location, ensuring your financial security, health, and overall wellbeing. Flexible working arrangements, advanced technology, and collaborative workspaces. A culture of high performance and innovation where we experiment with new ideas and take responsibility for achieving results. A global network of talented colleagues, who inspire, support, and share their expertise to innovate and deliver for our clients. Global Orientation program to kickstart your journey, followed by access to our platform, AI Learning Center, LinkedIn Learning Pro and tailored learning opportunities for ongoing skills development. Multi-directional career paths that offer professional growth and development through new challenges, internal mobility and expanded roles. We actively nurture an environment that builds a sense of inclusion belonging and connection, including eight Employee Resource Groups.

At MSCI we are passionate about what we do, and we are inspired by our vision - to power better decisions. You'll be part of an industry-leading network of creative, curious, and entrepreneurial pioneers. This is a space where you can challenge yourself, set new standards and perform beyond expectations for yourself, our clients, and our industry. MSCI strengthens global markets by connecting participants across the financial ecosystem with a common language. Our research-based data, analytics and indexes, supported by advanced technology, set standards for global investors and help our clients understand risks and opportunities so they can make better decisions and unlock innovation.

MSCI Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. It is the policy of the firm to ensure equal employment opportunity without discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, age, sex, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, citizenship, disability, marital and civil partnership/union status, pregnancy, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. MSCI is also committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities.