Vanguard

Household Finance Researcher

Malvern, Pennsylvania, United States

Not SpecifiedCompensation
Mid-level (3 to 4 years), Senior (5 to 8 years)Experience Level
Full TimeJob Type
UnknownVisa
Financial Services, Investment ManagementIndustries

Requirements

Candidates must possess an advanced degree (Masters or Doctoral) in Psychology, Economics, Decision Sciences, or a related quantitative field, with a Ph.D. being preferred. Proven experience in conducting, writing, and publishing research related to behavioral economics, household finance, and/or investing is strongly preferred. Proficiency in coding for data access, transformation, and analysis, particularly with Python, is required. Experience with administrative data and AWS tools like Athena and Sagemaker is preferred, as is intellectual curiosity.

Responsibilities

The Household Finance Researcher will conduct scientifically rigorous research on investor behavior, analyzing administrative data, surveys, and experiments to generate insights. Responsibilities include distilling data into compelling visualizations and written materials for various audiences, shaping Vanguard's views on behavioral economics and household finance, and presenting research to internal partners, investors, and at conferences. The role also involves providing consultation as a subject matter expert, supporting media and regulator inquiries with rapid data analysis, collaborating with academic partners, and identifying opportunities to enhance research capabilities.

Skills

Behavioral Economics
Research
Data Analysis
Experimentation
Investor Behavior
Quantitative Research
Statistical Analysis
Thought Leadership
Survey Design

Vanguard

Client-owned investment management firm offering low-cost funds

About Vanguard

Vanguard provides financial services with a focus on investment management. The company offers a variety of products, including mutual funds, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), individual retirement accounts (IRAs), and 401k rollovers, aimed at individual investors, financial advisors, and institutions. Vanguard's unique ownership structure means it is owned by its funds, which are in turn owned by the clients, allowing it to prioritize the needs of its investors over external shareholders. This model enables Vanguard to offer low-cost investment options, as it primarily earns revenue through management fees that are generally lower than industry standards. Additionally, Vanguard provides personalized investment advisory services, charging fees based on the assets managed. The company's goal is to help clients grow their wealth and achieve their financial objectives through effective investment strategies, while maintaining a competitive performance track record.

Kline Township, PennsylvaniaHeadquarters
1975Year Founded
SECONDARYCompany Stage
Fintech, Financial ServicesIndustries
10,001+Employees

Benefits

Best-in-class medical, dental & vision coverage
Onsite health clinic & fitness center
Health Smart Rewards program
Vanguard Retirement Savings Plan
Education Benefits
PTO
Family Planning Benefist
Parental leave
Personal development opportunities
Volunteer Time Off

Risks

Competition from AI-driven platforms like Writer challenges Vanguard's traditional advisory services.
Vanguard's stake in Steelcase exposes it to the volatile furniture market.
New active bond ETFs may struggle in a low-yield environment with increasing competition.

Differentiation

Vanguard is client-owned, aligning its interests with investors, unlike traditional firms.
The firm offers low-cost investment products, making it attractive to cost-conscious investors.
Vanguard's ownership structure allows it to focus on long-term investor value.

Upsides

Vanguard's new active bond ETFs offer diversified, low-cost fixed income options.
The acquisition of Steelcase shares diversifies Vanguard's portfolio into the furniture industry.
Launching the International Dividend Growth Fund appeals to investors seeking sustainable dividend growth.

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