Pre-Doctoral Research Associate in Accounting – NYU Shanghai

Position Overview

The Accounting Unit at NYU Shanghai invites applications for a full-time Pre-Doctoral Research Associate in Accounting, with an anticipated start date of September 2026.

The initial appointment is for one year, ending in August 2027, with a strong expectation of renewal for a second year based on performance and continued funding.

This position is intended for individuals with a strong interest in academic research in accounting or related fields who plan to pursue doctoral study in accounting or an allied discipline. The role provides sustained collaboration with faculty and structured preparation for admission to leading PhD programs.

About the Role

The Pre-Doctoral Research Associate will work closely with faculty in the Accounting Unit on empirical research projects. Depending on project needs and mutual interests, the successful candidate may also 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
• Machine learning and data science applications to accounting and finance data

Responsibilities

The successful candidate will:

• 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.

Research and PhD Preparation

The position offers:

• Extensive exposure to frontier academic research and 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.

Required Qualifications

Applicants must have:

• A bachelor's or master's degree in accounting, economics, finance, statistics, data science, computer science, or a related quantitative field.
• Proficiency with 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 Qualifications

The following qualifications are desirable but not required:

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

Appointment Terms

• Full-time position at 40 hours per week.
• Based in Shanghai, China.
• Anticipated start date: September 2026.
• Initial one-year appointment ending August 2027.
• Renewable for a second year based on performance and funding.
• International applicants are welcome to apply, but eligibility and the appointment start date are subject to immigration regulations.

Application Requirements

Applicants should submit:

• A CV.
• A cover letter describing research interests, career plans, and the faculty member(s) they would most like to work with, if applicable.
• Transcripts.
• Contact information for two referees.
• A code sample, preferably from a data or econometrics project.
• A research writing sample, which is optional but encouraged. Applicants should identify if the sample is coauthored.

Application Deadline

The advertised closing date is September 27, 2026. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

How to Apply

Application materials should be sent to:

shanghai.predoc-accounting.recruitment@nyu.edu

For questions about the position, contact Prof. Sterling Huang at sterling.huang@nyu.edu.

If you decide to apply for this position, kindly mention that you found it on AcademyHire.

About NYU Shanghai

NYU Shanghai is China's first Sino-US research university and the third degree-granting campus of the NYU Global Network. It was 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. Its staff members work together to build and sustain the institution of higher education in China.

For more information, visit https://shanghai.nyu.edu. Applicants can also follow the official WeChat account NYUShanghaiRecruit for updated news.