Data Engineer in Economics and Finance (m/f/d)

Your tasks

The successful candidate will join a highly motivated team of researchers working on the Crux of Capitalism project (https://www.cruxofcapitalism.com/). Our approach involves integrating technology and policy insights to analyse the current state of global capitalism (e.g., assess the ability of business to pay for societal change including climate change improvements; highlight the resilience of business models to major shifts in the world economy, such as interest rate normalization). With the recent launch of our website, the Crux of Capitalism project provides one of the most comprehensive publicly available datasets of firm-level performance including different metrics on value creation and corporate distress.
As part of the team, you will enhance the large dataset, design, and maintain the server-side of the web application, and collaborate with our front-end developers will be at the core of your agenda. Your work portfolio will be carefully constructed to include opportunities for the development of your coding skills and the building of a reliable data infrastructure. At a more granular level, your tasks will include:

• Collecting and organizing data: You may expand and improve the quality of our datasets of firm level performance metrics that draw on various sources (e.g., Compustat). This involves understanding data structures, selecting the relevant data, ensuring the data is properly formatted and consistent, and detecting and correcting any inaccuracies or errors.
• Analysing and modelling data: You may apply statistical and mathematical techniques to explore data, identify patterns and trends, and develop models.
• Writing, testing, and debugging code: You may leverage programming languages such as Python, SQL, and JavaScript to write efficient code that processes and transforms large datasets.
• Visualizing data: You may propose and create visualizations, charts, and reports that communicate complex data analysis results to non-technical stakeholders in a concise manner.
• Developing server-side logic: You may create the code and logic that run on the server, which handle requests from the client-side of our application.
• Managing server infrastructure: You may be responsible for deploying and maintaining servers, ensuring they are available, scalable, and secure so that our data can be easily accessed and analysed.
• Collaborating with various stakeholders: You may be responsible for communication with our front-end developers and other technical roles to provide a seamless and engaging user experience. This may include translating software development steps to non-technical audiences.

We do not expect the successful candidate to be a professional data engineer. Personal drive and the ambition to learn and to further develop existing capabilities are most important. We prefer to fill this position with a current student at the University of St. Gallen.

Your profile

We are looking for a reliable self-starter who:

• Is motivated to gain valuable experience in the technical development of a leading-edge economics application.
• Possesses an advanced knowledge of R, web development in Python (ideally Django as well) and a good working knowledge of SQL.
• Has experience working with financial and accounting data.
• Is intrinsically motivated to solve complex problems.
• Communicates clearly and provides constructive feedback while contributing to a positive team culture.
• Knows where to look for technical solutions to overcome potential obstacles independently.
• Previous experience with cloud computing, APIs and other DevOps tools (Git, Docker, AWS, Unix shell) is an advantage.

Our team works very closely together and active knowledge sharing is the norm while working in an agile way. Flexible working hours and location, with some presence in St. Gallen to exchange with the team, will allow you to integrate your tasks with your weekly schedule. A network of highly motivated researchers at the SIAW-HSG will enable you to further broaden your horizon in applied economics.
Applicants are encouraged to contact Camilla Erencin if they want to learn more about the project and working culture. The SIAW and the University of St. Gallen are equal opportunity employers.

To start the application process, please submit a CV, motivation letter, grade transcript,and Bachelor or Master thesis to our online portal.