Data Scientist I

Cornerstone Research provides economic and financial consulting and expert testimony in all phases of complex disputes and regulatory investigations. The firm works with an extensive network of prominent academics and industry practitioners to identify the best-qualified expert for each assignment. Cornerstone Research has earned a reputation for consistently high quality and effectiveness by delivering rigorous, state-of-the-art analysis since 1989. The firm has nearly 1,000 professionals in nine offices across the United States, the UK, and Europe.

We attribute our success to a unique combination of resources: a creative and energetic staff, cutting-edge research, a strong culture of dedication to our people and our clients, and our network of academic and industry experts. Our consultants employ innovative problem-solving approaches and achieve unparalleled analytic depth.

Our clients include major securities firms, top consulting, and professional service firms, leading pharmaceutical companies, and internet and high-technology firms, among others. Our projects often receive focused attention from chief executive officers and boards of directors of our clients. We also work extensively with top law firms that serve as counsel for our clients.

Our diverse experience allows us to provide clients and their counsel with a unique breadth of perspective and expertise. For example, in financial securities projects, we analyze stock prices, derivatives, and debt instruments. In antitrust and intellectual property cases, we examine industry structure, the nature of purchase decisions, and the commercial value of innovation and technology. We also frequently play a role in regulatory processes for high-profile mergers and acquisitions.

Our uniquely collegial and supportive atmosphere makes Cornerstone Research a great place to work. Recently, Vault (Firsthand) ranked Cornerstone Research as #16 in the 'Vault Consulting 50', its signature list of the best consulting firms to work for. We were also recognized by The Human Rights Campaign Foundation as a Leader in LGBTQ+ Workplace Inclusion, and Vault as #32 in Best Boutique Consulting Firms. These awards are a testament to our culture and our people - the most exciting and enriching aspects of a career at Cornerstone Research.

Cornerstone Research's commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is embedded in our values. Our culture is one of acceptance and belonging, where every individual in every role feels valued and can contribute authentically and fully. We intentionally nurture, embrace and celebrate diversity, provide equal access and opportunity, and actively engage with each other to understand and appreciate how our differences contribute to our success, both individually and as a Firm. Learn more about our commitment to DEI via our website.

The Data Scientist I is a member of the Data Science Center, which supports Cornerstone's litigation teams with data wrangling and advanced analytics programming in an environment with multiple simultaneous big data projects. The Data Scientist I develops code, analytic algorithms, data management tools and scripts, which assists our finance and economics professionals in understanding and modeling the facts underlying major litigation disputes or investigations. The Data Scientist will use high-level software tools (e.g., R, SQL, Netezza, Python, SAS, Stata, Git) to build analytics models, conduct econometric/statistical analysis, and visualize data. In addition, the Data Scientist I will be asked to clean, build, sample, and prepare client data for analysis; prepare code and data for production to opposing expert support teams; and review, test and analyze programs provided by adverse parties. The Data Scientist I acts as a resource and shares experience with junior colleagues and consulting case teams.

Essential Job Functions

Works, as embedded or adjunct data/coding expert, as a member of diverse case teams alongside Analysts and under the direction of Project Managers in a litigation consulting and expert support environment.
• Conducts efficient data management and statistical analysis using a diverse set of analytic, econometric, database and programming tools on matters involving data-intensive finance and applied economics issues.
• Imports, builds, cleans, and prepares datasets and produces analysis, tables, exhibits, maps, and visualizations to support economic analyses performed by case teams, including the automation of such tasks.
• Applies version control techniques; trains and mentors case teams in the use of version control.
• Contributes to and upholds best practices as they relate to analytic programming standards, including data organization, standard programs, libraries, re-usable code development and validation, etc.
• Provides mentoring and training to Analysts on case teams; participates in and leads office and firm-wide training to raise data analytics skill level of Analysts.
• Promotes synergy and best practice sharing among resources; drives collaboration with other analytic and programming colleagues within the organization.

We encourage all applications to be submitted by 11:59 PM EST December 16, 2024.

Application Requirements

You will be asked to submit the following:

• Resume
• Cover Letter
• Two references from current workplace or university (optional for non-Cornerstone applicants)
• Code portfolio (optional)

Education/Experience/Skills

Required

• BA/BS or MA/MS, preferably in a discipline such as Data Science, Social Science, Computer Science, Statistics, or related field.
• 2+ years professional experience solving analytical problems using quantitative approaches and programming skills, including advanced data wrangling and manipulation, complex programming logic, and large data volumes.
• Demonstrated interest and aptitude for mentoring and teaching programming skills.
• Advanced skills and minimum one year experience programming in R.
• Knowledge of version control techniques and software, e.g., Git.
• Minimum knowledge of Linux/Unix shell commands and scripting and at least one other scripting language such as Python or Perl.
• Strong team and client-orientation and ability to communicate results and methodology with the project team.
• Ability to perform data quality checks in a methodical manner to understand how to accurately utilize client data.
• Develop detail-oriented, logical and documented plans for data manipulation to ensure accuracy and integrity of the results.

Optional

• Prior experience with parallel database systems (e.g., Netezza, Redshift, BigQuery, Snowflake) is a plus.
• Prior experience leveraging cloud infrastructure to meet data and computational challenges (e.g., Amazon Web Services, Azure, Google Cloud Compute) is a plus.
• Prior experience working with large data using distributed storage and processing (e.g., Spark, Map/Reduce) is a plus.
• Prior experience building applications and solving ad-hoc problems using one or more general purpose language (e.g., Python, C, C++, Rust, Go, Java, C#) is a plus.

Focus Areas

Note: In your application, you will be asked to select which focus area you would like to apply to.

Generalist

• Interest in billable and firm building projects across a wide range of Finance and Economics practice areas. Interest in creating tools and packages improving efficiency of common data ETL processes at Cornerstone Research.
• Expertise with Python (and scientific computing such as SciPy, NumPy, or Pandas) is a plus.
• Familiarity with and knowledge of machine learning, natural language processing, and text analytics is a plus.
• Advanced knowledge of and proficiency with SQL and database systems is a plus.
• Familiarity with statistical programming software packages other than R such as SAS, Stata, VBA, Matlab, Octave, and Julia is a plus.

Securities Practice Area Focus

• Strong interest in billable and firm building projects within the Securities practice area. Interest in creating tools and packages improving efficiency of common data ETL processes within the practice area.
• Demonstrated familiarity with financial securities such as equity, equity options, and equity warrants.
• Advanced skills in Excel.
• Familiarity with programming software packages other than R such as SAS, VBA, Stata, and Matlab is a plus.
• Familiarity with common securities data sources such as CRSP, Bloomberg, Eikon, Thomson Reuters, and Capital IQ is a plus.
• Proficiency with SQL and database systems is a plus.

Market Microstructure/FinTech Focus

• Experience and strong interest in billable and firm building projects within Market Microstructure and FinTech practice areas. Interest in creating tools and packages that improve the efficiency of common data ETL processes related to Market Microstructure and FinTech projects.
• Demonstrated financial knowledge in Market Microstructure and FinTech matters.
• Familiarity with common Market Microstructure and FinTech data sources and message formats such as FIX, PCAP, ITCH, Kaiko data is a plus.
• Proficiency with SQL and database systems is a plus.

Cornerstone Research will provide visa support to qualified candidates with STEM-eligible degrees.

Cornerstone Research provides Equal Employment Opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to legally protected categories, such as age, sex, gender, gender identity, race, color, creed/religious belief, medical condition, predisposing genetic characteristics, or genetic information or testing, disability, marital status, pregnancy status, military status, veteran status, arrest or conviction record (except where permitted by law), sexual orientation, ethnic background, citizen status, ancestry, national origin, or any other consideration protected by federal, state or local law.

Cornerstone Research offers a market-leading compensation and benefits package. The base salary for the Data Scientist role with a relevant experience is $115,000 - $140,000. In addition to the base salary, new Data Scientists will be eligible for a signing bonus depending on skills, education, and experience. Individuals in this role are also eligible for discretionary bonuses based on case performance, firm contributions, and other factors. Previous relevant work experience will be taken into consideration in determining compensation. Information about our benefits, including health and wellness and family support, can be found on the Careers page of our website.