Pre-Doctoral Research Associate in Accounting

Position Summary

Overview

The Accounting Unit at NYU Shanghai invites applications for a full-time Pre-Doctoral Research Associate, with an anticipated start date of November 2026. The initial appointment is for the academic year 2026-2027, with a strong expectation of renewal to a second year based on performance and continued funding.

The position is designed for individuals with a strong interest in academic research in accounting or related fields who intend to pursue doctoral study in accounting or an allied discipline. It offers close, sustained collaboration with faculty and structured preparation for admission to leading PhD programs.

About the Role

The successful candidate will work closely with faculty in the Accounting Unit on cutting-edge empirical research projects. Depending on project needs and mutual interests, the pre-doctoral fellow may collaborate with faculty members and their coauthors at leading universities worldwide.

Research areas include financial accounting and disclosure, Contract design, ESG and sustainability, litigation and regulatory enforcement, and the application of machine learning and data science to accounting and finance data.

Responsibilities

• Collect, clean, and manage large-scale datasets;
• Conduct empirical analyses using statistical and econometric methods;
• Implement machine learning and data-science techniques;
• Perform literature reviews and prepare research materials;
• Support the preparation of academic manuscripts, presentations, and conference submissions.

What We Offer

• Extensive exposure to frontier academic research and to the intellectual life of NYU Shanghai, including research seminars and conferences;
• Structured mentoring designed to prepare candidates for admission to top PhD programs in accounting and related fields;
• For strong performers, close mentorship and detailed letters of recommendation from faculty.

Qualifications

Required

• A bachelor's or master's degree in data science, computer science, economics or related quantitative fields.
• Ability to program in python without AI assistance. Shortlisted candidates will be asked to code or debug in python during the interview without access to AI tools.
• Knowledge in at least one statistical or programming language such as Stata, SAS, Python, R, Matlab, Julia, or SQL.
• Strong quantitative and analytical skills, attention to detail, and the ability to work independently and solve problems proactively;
• Excellent written and oral communication skills;
• A demonstrated interest in pursuing a PhD in accounting or a related field.

Preferred (desirable but not required)

• Prior experience working as a research associate.
• Coursework or research experience in econometrics or statistics.
• Experience with machine learning, numerical optimization, simulation methods, dynamic programming, or large-scale data processing.
• Familiarity with financial and accounting databases (e.g., Compustat, CRSP, IBES, Thomson Reuters, LexisNexus, Westlaw).
• Managing AI agents.

Appointment Terms

• Full-time position (40 hours per week), in-person based in Shanghai, China;
• Anticipated start: November 2026; initial appointment ending August 2027, renewable to a second year based on performance and funding;
• International applicants are welcome to apply but their eligibility and appointment start date are subject to immigration regulations.

Application Materials

Interested applicants should submit 1) a CV and 2) a cover letter describing research interests, career plans, and the faculty member(s) they would most like to work with (if applicable). They should also send 3) transcripts, 4) contact information for two referees, 5) a python coding sample to [email protected] as a part of the application dockets. 

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. For further questions on the position details, please contact Prof. Sterling Huang at [email protected].

Additional Information

About NYU Shanghai

NYU Shanghai is China’s first Sino-US research university and the third degree-granting campus of the NYU Global Network. We were founded in 2012 by New York University and East China Normal University with the support of the city of Shanghai and the district of Pudong. NYU Shanghai seeks to cultivate globally-minded graduates through innovative teaching, world-class research, and a commitment to public service. 

NYU Shanghai is an equal opportunity employer committed to equity, diversity and social inclusion. We are proud of its diverse and talented staff members, who work together to build and sustain this unique and pioneering institution of higher education in China. 

For more information about NYU Shanghai, please visit https://shanghai.nyu.edu. You can also follow our official WeChat Account: NYUShanghaiRecruit for more updated news.