Director of COE for Machine Learning Research in London

MSCI is establishing a Machine Learning Center of Excellence within the Research & Development team to develop machine learning models that power investment tools for institutional clients. We seek an Executive Director to lead research applying advanced machine learning techniques including deep learning and reinforcement learning to systematic strategies, portfolio construction, and valuation models.

Your Key Responsibilities

• Lead a team conducting research using machine learning methodologies that integrate financial theory with deep learning and reinforcement learning.
• Design and develop models that convert AI-extracted signals from text, documents, and client telemetry into investment insights.
• Deliver research powering new products across MSCI's product lines.
• Build and mentor a team of PhD-level machine learning researchers.
• Engage directly with clients to understand systematic investment challenges.
• Contribute to thought leadership through research innovation and publishing.
• Collaborate with product, technology, and sales teams.

Your skills and experience that will help you excel

• PhD in Computer Science, Statistics, Mathematics, Physics, Operations Research, or related quantitative field from a top institution.
• Strong foundation in quantitative finance.
• Expert programming skills.
• Publication record in machine learning or quantitative finance (preferred).
• Ability to communicate complex ideas clearly to technical and business stakeholders.
• Experience building and mentoring technical teams.

About MSCI

What we offer you:

• Salary range: $195,000 - $254,000 / year plus eligible for annual bonus.
• 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. We serve asset managers and owners, private-market sponsors and investors, hedge funds, wealth managers, banks, insurers and corporates.

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.