Summer Associate - PhD

Who We Are

Cornerstone Research is a leading economic and financial consulting firm with more than 900 staff members across nine offices. Together with an extensive network of internationall prominent faculty, we conduct rigorous, objective research applying the highest standards from academia to address complex financial, econimic, accounting, and marketing issues that arise in litigation and regulartory investigation.

Cornerstone Research is involved in a broad variety of high-profile legal cases and disputes. Current matters focus on such topics as capital markets, business and securities valuation, M&A and corporate events, risk management, market competition, high-frequency trading, the impact of marketing on consumers, and patent infringement. For example, we address issues affecting the ongoing development of financial markets, such as applying frameworks at the intersection of finance and industrial organization economics to evaluate price setting in derivative markets. Beyond financial markets, we address financial economics issues arising in a range of other sectors, from such innovation- driven industries as life sciences and high technology to energy, telecommunications, and industrial markets. We address economic issues when evaluating potential mergers, claims of anticompetitive conduct, and the impact of intellectual property infringement. We also address marketing and economic issues arising in cases with allegations of misleading marketing or false claims. More detail can be found on our website: www.cornerstone.com.

Summer Associate at Cornerstone Research

Cornerstone Research offers candidates pursuing doctoral studies in finance, economics, econometrics, accounting, or marketing the opportunity to join the firm for six to twelve weeks to gain first-hand experience in our work in the role of a Summer Associate. The role is designed to mirror the experience of a first-year Associate and includes case assignments and formal training.

Summer Associates work closely with senior staff, clients, and experts to define objectives, guide research efforts, manage deadlines, and mentor junior staff. Daily responsibilities typically include assisting with developing project strategy, condutcing research, directing analysis, understanding and summarizing data and key findings, and proposing effective solutions to problems faced by their teams. This is a great opportunity for doctoral candidates to use theoretical and empirical research skills gained through their graduate-level training to devise and apply innovative and rigorous analytical approaches to interesting real-world issues. The outcomes of our cases can have a direct and immediate impact on public policy and corporate strategy.

While many Summer Associates choose to spend their summer with us, the timing and duration of this position is flexible and can be arranged any time over the summer or during the academic year.

Candidate Profile

We seek candidates who are pursuing doctoral studies in finance, economics, econometrics, accounting, or marketing, and who will be graduating in 2025, 2026, or 2027. Candidates must have the ability to apply academic research to real-world issues. We are currently hiring in our Boston, Brussels, Chicago, London, Los Angeles, Bay Area (San Francisco and Silicon Valley), New York, and Washington, D.C. offices. We will be interviewing at our local offices on a rolling basis.

Summer Associates candidates must be eligible to work in the United States. Cornerstone Research will consider international candidates with F-1 status who can independently obtain work authorization.

Interested candidates

Candidates should submit a cover letter (including a statement describing your interest in economic and financial consulting and location preferences), resume, and transcripts.

Cornerstone Research provides Equal Employment Opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to legally protected categories, such as age, sex, gender, gender identity, race, color, creed/religious belief, medical condition, predisposing genetic characteristics or genetic information or testing, disability, marital status, pregnancy status, military status, veteran status, arrest or conviction record (except where permitted by law), sexual orientation, ethnic background, citizen status, ancestry, national origin, or any other consideration protected by federal, state or local law.

Cornerstone Research offers market-leading compensation. The bi-weekly salary for the Summer Associate role is $8,461.54.