Feb 3, 2017

CfA: Postdoc, Machine learning/Wealth management, Columbia University

Columbia University Post-Doctoral Research Scientist in Machine Learning in Wealth Management

The FDT Center for Intelligent Asset Management at the Department of Industrial Engineering and Operations Research, Columbia University in New York City, invites applications for a Post-Doctoral Research Scientist position to research novel approaches for applying machine techniques to financial wealth management.

The Center was established in January 2017 with a generous gift from Financial Data Technologies, a Hong Kong based FinTech company. The research of the Center will focus on the exploration of theoretical
underpinnings and modeling strategies for wealth management through the introduction of big data analytical techniques. The Center's research will combine modern portfolio theory, behavioral finance, machine learning and data science to study core problems including optimal asset allocation and risk management; and the research of the Center sits at the crossroad of financial engineering, computer science, statistics, and finance, aiming at providing innovative and intelligent investment solutions.


The main research objective of the holder of this position is to apply machine learning techniques, including supervised learning and reinforcement learning, to improve the existing, known asset allocation strategies and developed new, evolutionally superior strategies. Candidates must have a PhD degree in Computer Science,
Control Theory, Operations Research, or Applied Mathematics, with demonstrated research experience in machine learning. Additionally, candidates familiar with financial engineering, stochastic control,
optimization or statistics are highly preferred. Candidates are expected to have an outstanding research record commensurate with their level of experience.

The candidate is expected to work under the supervision of Professor Xunyu Zhou, the Director of the Center. He or she will also benefit from interactions with the faculty, practitioners and students at the Center as well as those from the IEOR Department, Business School, Statistics Department, and Computer Science Department. This is a one-year position initially with possibility of renewal for two more years depending on the progress achieved. There is also an opportunity to be involved in a start-up company arising from the research of the Center, during or after the tenure of the position.

Candidates should apply online at: academicjobs. columbia. edu/applicants/ Central?quickFin d=64047 and
should submit electronically the following: curriculum-vitae, a research statement, a representative research paper, and a list of three references submitted electronically. The position will remain open until filled and applications will be reviewed as they are submitted.

Applicants can consult www.ieor.columbia.edu for more information about the department.

Columbia University is an Equal Opportunity/ Affirmative Action employer – Race/Gender/ Disability/ Veteran.