Division of Risk, Strategy, and Financial Innovation
Opportunities for Economists and Other Experts and Professionals with RSFI

RSFI is currently hiring for each of its seven specialized offices, which are described on the home page of the RSFI website. Candidates may apply for (a) a term or visiting appointment or (b) a permanent position. Procedures and requirements for the two tracks are different.

1. Candidates interested in a permanent position must apply under an open vacancy announcement. All vacancies for permanent positions are listed on this website. Interested candidates should carefully read the qualification requirements and application procedures that are outlined in each announcement. Applications must be submitted during the open announcement period. Permanent employees must be US citizens.
    
2. Candidates interested in a term or visiting appointment as an Economic Fellow or Visiting Academic Scholar, or who are interested in another expert or professional position, should contact RSFI directly. Generally speaking, candidates should possess advanced quantitative and/or financial skills as demonstrated by a Ph.D. in finance, economics, accounting, statistics, or related area. Research associate candidates should have a Bachelor or Masters of Business Administration degree with a quantitative or finance concentration, or a Masters degree in Finance or Financial Engineering. We are also seeking professionals with specialized expertise gained either through extensive research in relevant topic areas, or through industry experience from positions held at banks, exchanges, asset management firms, broker-dealers, hedge funds, mutual funds, or related institutions. Positions are open to U.S. citizens and certain non-U.S. citizens. While U.S. citizenship is generally required, certain situations may allow for non-U.S. citizens to be employed in term positions (such as persons lawfully admitted for permanent residence and seeking citizenship as outlined in 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3)(B)). For information on employment eligibility for non-U.S. citizens, see http://www.usajobs.gov/ei/noncitizensemployment.asp. Positions are contingent upon all candidates passing a background check. To apply, please send a cover letter and resume to riskfinrecruiting@sec.gov.

Description of Positions

Economic Fellows and Financial Economists are responsible for using economic methods to solve problems across the entire range of SEC activities, including policy-making, rule-making, enforcement, examination, and other matters. They identify and analyze issues, trends, and innovations in the marketplace; develop analytical approaches, methods, and models to uncover potential securities law violations; work with outside experts in academia and industry to strengthen the SEC's foundation of market knowledge; manage and analyze public and private data to support relevant initiatives and projects; and, conduct research suitable for publication in peer-reviewed journals. Ideal candidates have a Ph.D. or are nearing completion of a Ph.D. in finance, accounting, or economics, or have industry experience through positions with banks, exchanges, asset management firms, broker-dealers, hedge funds, mutual funds, or similar institutions. Those candidates with Ph.D.s should have extensive experience conducting empirical financial research in topics of interest to the SEC. Economic Fellows are hired with an initial appointment of two years, extendable for an additional two years. Fellows who are U.S. citizens may apply for permanent positions as Financial Economists upon completion of at least one year under the fellowship program.

Visiting Academic Scholars perform the same duties as the Financial Economists. Candidates must have a Ph.D. in finance, accounting or economics, and have a permanent position at a U.S. college or university. Additionally, preferred candidates have at least three years post-graduate experience in financial economics and experience conducting high-quality research in topics of interest to the SEC. These positions are single-year appointments, renewable once. Visiting Scholars are compensated pursuant to an Intergovernmental Personnel Act (IPA) contract, whereby professors are detailed to the government but remain employed by their universities, which are reimbursed for the academic salary and benefits.

Other Experts and Professionals. RSFI also hires other experts and professionals whose duties may include computer programming, data collection, and directed statistical, quantitative and qualitative analysis. Candidates should possess advanced quantitative and/or financial skills similar to those found in degrees such as Masters of Finance or Financial Engineering or Masters of Business Administration (with a quantitative/finance concentration), or have market experience through positions with banks, exchanges, asset managers, broker-dealers, hedge funds, mutual funds, or similar institutions.

Salary

Salaries are competitive and based on education and relevant work experience.

http://www.sec.gov/divisions/riskfin/rfemployment.shtml