The Credit Research Initiative (CRI) team of the NUS Risk Management Institute invites PhD candidates/holders from quantitative disciplines to apply for its Research Fellowship. The successful candidates are expected to join the CRI Development Team.

Responsibilities (include but not limited to):

• Conducting individual research for journal publications on credit risk management, financial modelling and empirical analyses.
• Participating in the CRI operations in terms of model development/validation, data production, system enhancement and knowledge dissemination.
• Participating in the consulting projects for external parties (e.g. bespoke model development/validation).

The CRI is committed to achieving academic excellence and practical relevance. Over the course of its developments, it has produced top-tier original research and has helped a number of corporates, financial institutions and international organizations to solve real-world problems. For example, the CRI right now collaborates with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in multiple projects. Its Bottom-up Default Analysis (BuDA) toolbox has been applied in a number of IMF stability assessments in various national contexts with rich policy implications.

Requirements:

• A PhD candidate/holder from a quantitative discipline, e.g. Economics, Finance, Mathematics, Statistics, Computer Science, Physics, etc. The successful candidate is expected to obtain his/her PhD degrees at the time of appointment.
• Someone who intends to do good research and strives to have a real-world impact.
• Someone with great curiosity in the unknowns and the capability to learn fast.
• A team player comfortable working with a diverse team in a multi-cultural environment.
• Someone who has strong sense of responsibility and is resilient when faced with challenges.
• Someone with good oral and written communication skills.

 

Applicants should submit their applications electronically to rmillke@nus.edu.sg. Your application should include:

• Application Form;
• NUS Personal Data Consent for Job Applicants;
• A detailed CV including publications;
• A statement of future research plan and samples of research work;
• Two reference letters.

We regret that only shortlisted candidates will be notified.

Be part of a dynamic team in analysing risk in today’s financial markets. An opportunity exists to join the Risk Management Institute (RMI) as a Research Analyst / Associate in the Credit Research Initiative. You will compute and publish probabilities of default (PD) of listed firms globally based on RMI’s quantitative model, and contribute to the on-going research and development of the model. This is a cross-functional role that requires the exploration of different dimensions of risk management. It will challenge successful applicants and is a great learning and development opportunity.

Career Benefits:

• Gain a detailed understanding of a cutting-edge quantitative credit risk model being pioneered by NUS RMI under the Credit Research Initiative (CRI).
• Further your knowledge in quantitative modeling and financial analysis.
• Gain experience in emerging technologies (e.g. cloud/grid computing, GPU computing, FPGA).
• Benefit from a world-class research environment at the forefront of credit risk, with a motivated research team a well-established network.

Successful applicant can look forward to join one of the team(s) below.

 

1. Validation Team

The Validation Team (VT) of the Credit Research Initiative (CRI) in the Risk Management Institute of National University of Singapore handles the assessment of models servicing a wide range of activities across the CRI, including Probability of Default, Actuarial Spread and Stress Testing models. As a member in the Validation Team, you will work on a variety of models covering many aspects of the model life cycle, including data management, methodology, programming and quantitative assessment. Successful candidates will contribute to the CRI’s assessment and evaluation of credit risk models.

Responsibilities:

• Independent evaluation of existing risk models including PD, AS and Stress Testing models.
• Assist with the delivery of the validation plan, ensuring timely identification of issues.
• Quantitative assessment of model performance via data evaluation and statistical testing.
• Coordination with internal stakeholders on model issues, achieving suitable resolutions.
• Deal with urgent and/or ad-hoc requests.

Requirements:

• Proactive attitude, strong sense of responsibility.
• Independent thinker and fast learner, strong interest in credit risk analysis.
• Familiarity with MATLAB, Python or R; Experience in SQL, VBA or Julia would be a plus.
• Curious, with ability of speaking up and challenging perceived wisdom.
• Strong focus on quality control and attention to details.

 

2. Client Services Team

The Client Services Team of the Credit Research Initiative (CRI) in the Risk Management Institute of National University of Singapore provides tailored data and credit analytics solutions to financial institutions, supranational agencies, central banks and corporates across the globe via direct approach and through partnership with data distributors and FinTech firms.

The candidate should have a thorough understanding about CRI products, and are comfortable with presenting and negotiating with the institutional clients. As a member in the Client Services Team, the candidate will be handling client accounts and client’s requests through the whole sales cycle. We welcome the candidates who enjoy the dynamic and exciting working environment.

Responsibilities:

• Be familiar with CRI models, data and solutions.
• Prepare marketing materials, RFP, presentation slides and case studies.
• Build good relationship with clients and to provide value-added services.
• Coordinate well with other teams to provide prompt and efficient services to clients.
• Handle ad-hoc projects and clients’ inquiries.
• Initiate new projects to enhance project management and operational efficiency.

Requirements:

• 1-3 years of working experiences in business development, sales, or consulting in financial industry or data/solutions vendors.
• Solid understanding of credit ratings, credit risk, quantitative models and financial analysis.
• Proficient in spoken/written English, other language is a plus.
• Possess strong analytical skills and problem-solving skills.
• Must be a keen learner and proactive in nature.
• A good team player with a strong sense of responsibility.
• High efficiency, and able to manage multiple tasks and projects concurrently.
• Possess good communication and interpersonal skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft product suite, knowledge in VBA, SQL, MATLAB is a plus.

 

3. Market Monitoring Team

The Market Monitoring Team (MMT) of the Credit Research Initiative (CRI) in the Risk Management Institute of National University of Singapore is a window to continually observe financial markets and carry relevant studies by using proprietary methods, aiming at promoting and improving CRI’s products. The main task is doing research on industries and companies with investment and credit analysis, implementing market surveillance and working on projects with other teams.

You will have ample opportunities to improve your writing and analytical skills. Through working with other teams, you will also learn quantitative modelling and acquire useful IT and database knowledge preparing you to become a better functioning analyst who can leverage modern analytical tools.

Responsibilities:

• Conduct fundamental research and write credit/investment research reports on companies and industries in a timely manner.
• Carry out market surveillance by browsing media and official websites, finding out credit vents in accordance with CRI’s credit event definition, creating credit event data in the database, etc.
• Initiate and manage inter-team projects.
• Deal with urgent, ad-hoc requests from supervisors.

Requirements:

• Be meticulous and responsible for routine works.
• Academic background or industry experience of any of the following subjects is preferred: finance, accounting, economics, banking, business strategy, and business law. Certification of CFA or CPA is a plus. Candidates working in non-financial industry are also welcome.
• Be good at Excel modelling, financial analysis and spoken/written English.
• Good team player with a strong sense of responsibility.
• Able to independently write and edit financial research reports.
• Able to coordinate and manage group projects between teams.
• Able to handle pressure and meet deadlines.

 

4. Data Management Team

The Data Management Team (DMT) of the Credit Research Initiative (CRI) in the Risk Management Institute of National University of Singapore acts as a backbone to the CRI as the main function is to make available the IT infrastructure and databases up and running at their best at all times to all its internal users.

DMT consists of IT administration and data management. The IT administration team's tasks include server maintenance to database installation so as to provide optimal system performance. The Data management team takes care of all the data related needs at CRI, which acts as a data provider to all the other teams working under CRI.

Through working with other teams, you may also learn quantitative modelling, mathematical algorithms and general programming skills utilized on the frontier of CRI’s credit risk research. Interacting with the Market Monitoring Team (MMT), which is watching over the global credit markets daily, will likely provide you with their valuable insights beyond quantitative figures.

Responsibilities:

• Daily monitoring of operating process.
• Importing data from various financial sources (Bloomberg, Thomson Reuters, etc.) into the database.
• Investigation of suspicious data and data cleaning.
• Modification of data generating process to cater to changing operating requirements.
• Creating and improving database elements for higher efficiency of the processes and quality of data (using MSSQL, MySQL).
• Perform ad-hoc data related tasks as requested by other teams or clients.

Requirements:

• Knowledge and experience with SQL (T-SQL, MySQL), MATLAB, and Julia.
• Knowledge in Python and Bloomberg Terminal is a plus.
• Possess strong analytical and problem solving skills.
• Ability to work independently as well as part of a team as well as communicating effectively both orally and in writing.
• Proactive in nature, quick response in case of operational issues, and has a strong sense of responsibility.
• A keen learner and a strong interest in data management.

Database Administrator

Responsibilities:

Database Development and Maintenance

• Importing data from various financial sources (Bloomberg, Thomson Reuters, etc.) into the database.
• Analyzing, cleaning and de-duping data.
• Transforming source data into standardized formats for inclusion in the master database.
• Designing and developing using database management systems and related platforms and tools (e.g., MS SQL Server, SSIS, T-SQL, etc.) and stored procedures that fulfil the technical and business requirements.
• Validating processed results generated on a daily/monthly basis.
• Perform ad-hoc data related tasks as requested by other researchers.

Database Administration

• Perform database query optimization.
• Identifying and correcting issues relating to database performance, reliability, and scalability.
• Perform regular database backups.
• Perform index maintenance.

Requirements:

• Strong knowledge in SQL and significant experience working with one or more relational databases, preferably Microsoft SQL Server.
• Knowledge and experience with various data transfer formats such as csv, xlsx, etc.
• Knowledge of at least one ETL tool, preferably SSIS.
• Experience in programming with Python would be a plus, although not a requirement.
• Possess strong analytical and problem solving skills.
• Possess strong interpersonal, organizational and planning skills.
• Must be a keen learner, proactive in nature and possess a strong sense of responsibility.

This is a data intensive work activity and requires someone who genuinely enjoys working with data and the challenge of managing a live database. The work largely consists of interactive use of SQL to perform standard ETL processes.

 

Applicants should submit their applications electronically to rmillke@nus.edu.sg. Kindly indicate the team you are interested in applying for in your application. Your application should include:

• Application Form;
• NUS Personal Data Consent for Job Applicants;
• A detailed CV;
• Cover letter.

We regret that only shortlisted candidates will be notified.

Internship Program

The CRI internship program is open to highly motivated students, both undergraduate and postgraduate from various academic backgrounds, who are passionate to embrace new technologies and desire to acquire advanced knowledge and skills in the field of credit risk. Leveraging the diverse expertise at CRI, you will also enjoy opportunities to pursue self-initiated projects through individual collaborations.   

Kindly note that the duration of the CRI internship program is one year (full-time during summer and winter holidays and part-time during school terms) due to the steep learning curve at CRI. Basic programming skills such as Julia, Python, MatLab, and SQL would be a plus. All interns will be remunerated according to NUS standard.

To apply for this opportunity, please send your resume to Ms. Eve Liew at rmillke@nus.edu.sg and indicate the two teams of your top preference (your preference will be considered but not guaranteed).

The CRI team is organized into six sub-teams, Development Team (DT), Data Management Team (DMT), Product Management Team (PMT), Validation Team (VT), Market Monitoring Team (MMT) and Client Services Team (CST). Each plays a key role in the CRI’s efforts to advance the credit research and reshape the credit rating practice.

1. DEVELOPMENT TEAM

The Development Team (DT) continuously improves CRI’s in-house models and systems, and develops new applications. As a member of DT, the candidate should have an in-depth understanding about CRI products and always keep an open mind to new things. The job scope ranges from data analysis, modeling and website design. We welcome candidates who enjoy the challenging and exciting working environment.

2. DATA MANAGEMENT TEAM

The Data Management Team (DMT) acts as a backbone to the CRI with the main function of developing and managing the CRI database, and acting as a data provider to support the research, model development and validation for other teams. As a member in the DMT, you will learn data management, quantitative modelling, mathematical algorithms and general programming skills utilized on the frontier of the CRI’s credit risk research. 

3. PRODUCT MANAGEMENT TEAM

The Product Management Team (PMT) manages and produces various credit risk products and plays a key role in the CRI. The successful candidate will have the precious opportunity to quickly learn the modelling approaches, mathematical algorithms and programming skills utilized on the frontier of CRI’s credit risk research through working with the team members.

4. VALIDATION TEAM

The Validation Team (VT) handles the assessment of models servicing a wide range of activities across the CRI, including Probability of Default, Actuarial Spread and Stress Testing models. As a member in the Validation Team, you will work on a variety of models covering many aspects of the model life cycle, including data management, methodology, programming and quantitative assessment. Successful candidates will contribute to the CRI’s assessment and evaluation of credit risk models.

5. MARKET MONITORING TEAM

The Market Monitoring Team (MMT) observes financial markets and conduct relevant studies by using proprietary methods with the aim to promote CRI’s products and relate to current market events. As a member in the MMT, the candidate will quickly gain knowledge to CRI models and develop a greater understanding on financial markets from a credit perspective. The main tasks will be to conduct researches and financial/credit analysis on industries and companies and market surveillance for credit events.

6. CLIENT SERVICES TEAM

The Client Services Team (CST) bridges the gap between the CRI and external users and industry clients by offering tailored solutions to suit their needs. As a member in the CST, the candidate will quickly gain knowledge to CRI models and services, and exposure in handling projects or inquiries from institutional clients such as supranational organization, international banks and FinTech companies.