Your Opportunity as a Research Associate

As a Research Associate, you will play a pivotal role in helping our Analysts provide innovative and insightful research.  We will help you build the core skills that are required to become a leading Analyst so that you can provide industry insights and stock calls to our internal and external clients.  You will learn from the best!

The programme is designed to recruit the best talent so that our research output can enhance our global reputation and differentiate our product from that of our competitors. 

The Associate programme in Research
How the programme works and the day-to-day experience you can expect

The Research Associate Programme typically runs for two years, during which time you will be part of a sector team, under the guidance of a Lead Analyst.  You will learn about a specific industry, as well as how to analyse the companies within that industry.  You will be trained on the analytical skills required to analyse companies, as well as on how to write and present your investment thesis with impact.

In the first two years as a Research Associate you can expect to:

• play a crucial role in supporting Lead Analysts and other team members;
• contribute to your team’s decision-making process on which stocks to recommend (or not);
• help generate and prioritise value-added investment ideas for our clients;
• create and maintain detailed information databases and valuation comparables;
• own company models and update their movements;
• prepare pre-results and post-results updates on your companies;
• monitor, analyse and comment on day-to-day news flow;
• develop a relationship with several company IR departments and attend industry presentations and conferences;
• establish and build relationships with a number of investment clients; and
• respond to requests from equity sales and clients. 

Launching Your Career
The initial training that you receive on starting the programme

The Research Associate Programme begins with the Firmwide Institutional Securities Training Programme in London with peers from other divisions. The training programme enables you to grasp a broad understanding of each business in the Institutional Securities group while you deepen your capital markets knowledge and network amongst your peers.

The training will equip you with the fundamental skills and professional awareness you will need to be successful. The training covers financial statement analysis, corporate finance and financial modelling in Excel.

In addition to the formal training, you will have the opportunity to participate in a customised series of seminars presented by senior members of the department, a structured mentor-and-buddy programme, and organised social events.

This will enable you to build a network of contacts throughout the division and the firm, to help you launch your career.

Developing Your Career
What you can expect as you progress through and complete the programme

Your training does not stop after your initial graduate training.  We take your career and professional development seriously.  Research has developed a comprehensive Core Curriculum that taps into the different development needs of our Research Associates and Analysts.  At each step along a career continuum, you will be developing your skill-set and be challenged in your role. 

We also support you in taking financial examinations, such as the FSA and Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) qualifications, where necessary.

Senior management takes a keen interest in your progress as a Research Associate and will look to you for fresh perspectives and new ideas.  You are encouraged to take on responsibility quickly with a view towards developing your career within the firm.  The more you prove yourself, the more responsibility you will be given. 

Mobility is an important part of building a Morgan Stanley career, and positions exist throughout the EMEA region. Although the majority of our graduate positions are in London, we have a limited number of opportunities in Continental Europe, Russia and the Middle-East. 

Is Research Right for You?
A checklist to help you decide if you have the skills and temperament for this area

• You have a strong interest in the financial markets. 
• You have strong quantitative and analytical skills. 
• You have an entrepreneurial spirit. 
• You have excellent communication skills.
• You take ownership of your work and are driven to deliver results.
• You have intellectual curiosity, focus and creativity. 
• You have a keen research instinct and creative problem-solving abilities. 
• You are a team player.

Requirements

An outstanding academic record with a minimum 2.1 honours degree or equivalent and a keen interest in the financial markets. In addition, the ability to communicate in a second language would be beneficial, however not essential.

Candidates from all degree disciplines are encouraged to apply.

Selection Process

The selection process consists of two stages, including interviews and an assessment centre. At the assessment centre, candidates can expect to be assessed in a number of exercises such as a group exercise, a numerical reasoning test, and interviews with experienced professionals from the division.

How to Apply

The hiring process for the EMEA Research Associate Programme is centralised out of our London office and candidates should apply via the Analyst online application form.  To submit your application, please apply online via our website.

Deadlines

We have now filled our full time hiring requirements for this year.

	Your Opportunity as a Summer Research Associate

Our Summer Research Associate Programme is an exciting opportunity to learn more about the important role that Research plays within Morgan Stanley.  You will rotate with two sector teams and work closely with the Leading Analysts to support their sector team franchise by completing value-added projects.  Past projects have included industry, company and market analysis, as well as participation in the publication of research reports and presentations. 

The Summer Associate programme in Research
How the programme works and the day-to-day experience you can expect

The Summer Research Associate Programme is 10 weeks long.  The first two weeks will focus on firmwide and Research specific training, knowledge-bites and social events to give you the foundation to make your internship successful. 

You will then rotate with two sector teams, working on innovative projects, and experience the day-to-day life of a Research Associate.  You will participate in any team activities – e.g. attend investor relation meetings, morning meeting presentations, input into company results.  All of your work will be guided by your Lead Analyst, who is considered to be the firm’s industry expert. 

Launching Your Career

The initial training that you receive on starting the programme

Firmwide and Research training will include financial analysis and modelling overviews, as well as larger presentations from leading Analysts, e.g. on making better stock calls, developing proprietary insights and much more. 

You will be assigned a mentor upon arrival at the firm.  The mentor is a senior-level person who can help guide your career, prepare you for what lies ahead and assist you with career planning. 

Along with your mentor you will be assigned a buddy who will ensure that you feel integrated and welcomed into Research and will be there to answer your day-to-day questions. 

Developing Your Career

What you can expect as you progress through and complete the programme

On the Summer Research Associate Programme, there is ongoing training enabling you to strengthen or gain skills throughout your professional career.  The Programme is kept small in number to ensure that each Summer Research Associate receives substantial one-on-one attention.  There are many opportunities to network with senior management and other representatives from Research through lunches, seminars and social activities.  Summer Research Associates   also receive significant support from Programme managers and mentors.  Mid-summer reviews are given to assess your performance, enabling you to improve throughout the summer.

The Summer Programme is your chance to experience the excitement of working in finance and in the markets and is also a crucial step in your career planning and future career success. Exceptional Summer Research Associates may have the opportunity to receive a full-time offer at the end of the Summer Programme.

Is Research Right for You?

A checklist to help you decide if you have the skills and temperament for this area

• You have a strong interest in the financial markets. 
• You have strong quantitative and analytical skills. 
• You have an entrepreneurial spirit. 
• You have excellent communication skills.
• You take ownership of your work and are driven to deliver results.
• You have intellectual curiosity, focus and creativity. 
• You have a keen research instinct and creative problem-solving abilities. 
• You are a team player.

Requirements

We accept penultimate-year undergraduate students with outstanding academic achievements. We welcome applicants from all degree disciplines especially those with a keen interest in the financial markets. In addition, the ability to communicate in a second language would be beneficial, however not essential.

Selection Process

The selection process consists of two stages, including interviews and an assessment centre. At the assessment centre, candidates can expect to be assessed in a number of exercises such as a group exercise, a numerical reasoning test, and interviews withexperienced professionals from the division.

How to Apply

We hire candidates for positions throughout the EMEA region. Although the majority of our opportunities are in London, we have a limited number of positions in Continental Europe, Russia and the Middle-East. 

The hiring process for the EMEA Summer Research Associate Programme is centralised out of our London office and candidates should apply via the Summer Analyst online application form. Applications can be submitted from early September 2008 and will be reviewed as they are received so we encourage candidates to apply early.

To submit your application, please apply online via our website.

Deadlines

The deadline for applying to the Summer Research Associate Programme in London is December 31, 2008.