Cross-Asset Quantitative Researcher

Join us at Barclays as a Cross-Asset Quantitative Researcher in the Quantitative Portfolio Strategy Group. The group is a unique quantitative research team that has operated for over 20 years with low turnover. In recent years, it was ranked #1 in its category by Institutional Investor research survey of investment management firms. In this role, you will be involved in developing quantitative signals, asset allocation models, cross-asset valuation, hedging and portfolio construction. The work will include empirical analysis using both market data and non-traditional data sources and innovative techniques. In addition to being an active researcher, you will be expected to take part in publishing and actively marketing your work to clients as well as to interact with sales, trading desks and other research groups.

The group advises the largest institutional investors around the globe on quantitative aspects of portfolio management across all asset classes on a one-on-one basis. Also work on custom projects to help clients with asset allocation, portfolio construction, evaluation of investment constraints, beta replication, alpha generation and risk management utilizing empirical studies and developing models.

Team analysts frequently publish in leading industry journals – Journal of Portfolio Management, Journal of Fixed Income, Journal of Alternative Investments and have also published 5 books: “Measuring ESG Effects in Systematic Investing” (Wiley, 2024); “Systematic Investing in Credit”, Wiley 2021; “A Decade of Duration Times Spread (DTS)”, Barclays 2016, “Quantitative Credit Portfolio Management”, Wiley Financial, Dec 2011 and “Quantitative Management of Bond Portfolios”, Princeton University Press, 2007.

To be successful as a Quantitative Researcher, you'll need:

• Preferably a PhD in Finance, Economics or a related field (Other qualification levels considered with relevant experience).
• Academic or job market experience in quantitative research, preferably including developing security selection and/or sector timing models.
• Strong quantitative skills: Strong econometric knowledge including time-series analysis and various cross-sectional techniques. Knowledge of machine learning and textual analysis techniques is a plus.
• Excellent verbal and written presentation skills. Strong creativity and ability to work independently or in a team, a must.  

Some other valued skills include:

• Ability to clearly formulate and conduct empirical studies.
• Programming self-sufficiency
• Familiarity with standard financial markets and databases such as Compustat, CRSP or FactSet.

You may be assessed on the key critical skills relevant for success in role, such as risk and controls, change and transformation, business acumen strategic thinking and digital and technology, as well as job-specific technical skills.

The position is based in our London Office.

This role is deemed as a Certified role under the PRA & UK Financial Conduct Authority - Individual Accountabilities Regulations and may require the role holder to hold mandatory regulatory qualifications or the minimum qualifications to meet internal company benchmarks

Purpose of the role

To produce and deliver Research with differentiated market insights and actionable ideas to Barclays Clients. 

Accountabilities

• Analysis of market, sector, corporate and/or economic data to help develop investment theses for your coverage universe to produce best in class Research.
• Research may range from individual company or sector notes, through to long dated thematic reports.
• Presentation of Research views to Barclays Clients; this can be through direct, face to face and virtual interactions, Research hosted events and written communications.
• Engagement with Markets, Client Strategy and other stakeholders, to raise awareness of your Research both to Clients and internally. Prioritise interaction with the most relevant and valuable Clients for your Research.
• Provision of insights and Research views to internal Clients to help them navigate financial markets and risks.
• Collaboration with the Supervisory Analyst, Compliance and other stakeholders to ensure Research is produced and delivered to Clients and internal stakeholders in a compliant manner.

Vice President Expectations

• To contribute or set strategy, drive requirements and make recommendations for change. Plan resources, budgets, and policies; manage and maintain policies/ processes; deliver continuous improvements and escalate breaches of policies/procedures..
• If managing a team, they define jobs and responsibilities, planning for the department’s future needs and operations, counselling employees on performance and contributing to employee pay decisions/changes. They may also lead a number of specialists to influence the operations of a department, in alignment with strategic as well as tactical priorities, while balancing short and long term goals and ensuring that budgets and schedules meet corporate requirements..
• If the position has leadership responsibilities, People Leaders are expected to demonstrate a clear set of leadership behaviours to create an environment for colleagues to thrive and deliver to a consistently excellent standard. The four LEAD behaviours are: L – Listen and be authentic, E – Energise and inspire, A – Align across the enterprise, D – Develop others..
• OR for an individual contributor, they will be a subject matter expert within own discipline and will guide technical direction. They will lead collaborative, multi-year assignments and guide team members through structured assignments, identify the need for the inclusion of other areas of specialisation to complete assignments. They will train, guide and coach less experienced specialists and provide information affecting long term profits, organisational risks and strategic decisions..
• Advise key stakeholders, including functional leadership teams and senior management on functional and cross functional areas of impact and alignment.
• Manage and mitigate risks through assessment, in support of the control and governance agenda.
• Demonstrate leadership and accountability for managing risk and strengthening controls in relation to the work your team does.
• Demonstrate comprehensive understanding of the organisation functions to contribute to achieving the goals of the business.
• Collaborate with other areas of work, for business aligned support areas to keep up to speed with business activity and the business strategies.
• Create solutions based on sophisticated analytical thought comparing and selecting complex alternatives. In-depth analysis with interpretative thinking will be required to define problems and develop innovative solutions.
• Adopt and include the outcomes of extensive research in problem solving processes.
• Seek out, build and maintain trusting relationships and partnerships with internal and external stakeholders in order to accomplish key business objectives, using influencing and negotiating skills to achieve outcomes.

All colleagues will be expected to demonstrate the Barclays Values of Respect, Integrity, Service, Excellence and Stewardship – our moral compass, helping us do what we believe is right. They will also be expected to demonstrate the Barclays Mindset – to Empower, Challenge and Drive – the operating manual for how we behave.