Investment Banking AI Research Contributor

This position is listed on behalf of a partner company, who manages all applications and next steps. Our partner is looking for an Investment Banking AI Research Contributor based in Austria. As an Investment Banking AI Research Contributor, you will leverage your financial expertise to help evaluate and improve the capabilities of advanced AI systems. You will design realistic Excel-based tasks drawn from investment banking, M&A advisory, and corporate development workflows, challenging AI models to perform complex financial modeling accurately. By creating practical assignments and developing precise evaluation criteria, you will help establish reliable benchmarks for AI performance in real-world finance applications. You will work independently on a flexible schedule, applying your analytical skills and professional experience to meaningful AI research projects. This remote, project-based opportunity is ideal for experienced finance professionals interested in the intersection of financial modeling and artificial intelligence. With an immediate start and the potential to complete multiple assignments, you can contribute your expertise while gaining exposure to cutting-edge AI evaluation methods.

Develop Realistic Financial Modeling Tasks: Create practical Excel assignments based on your professional experience in investment banking, M&A advisory, or corporate development. Tasks may involve extending existing financial models, troubleshooting broken spreadsheets, or building models from detailed briefs. Establish Correct Reference Solutions: Complete each assignment yourself to produce a clear, accurate reference answer that can be used to assess AI-generated outputs. Design Evaluation Criteria: Develop precise, objective, yes-or-no grading rubrics that enable reviewers to consistently evaluate whether an AI model has completed each task correctly. Test AI Model Capabilities: Submit your assignments for evaluation against leading AI models and analyze their performance in realistic financial modeling scenarios. Refine Evaluation Frameworks: When AI models fail to meet expectations, create detailed assessment criteria that identify errors, inaccuracies, and gaps in their outputs. Collaborate with reviewers to validate and finalize your tasks. Prepare High-Quality Supporting Materials: Write clear task briefs and provide the necessary input Excel workbooks. Ensure that all materials are original, human-created, and based on appropriately sanitized real data or publicly available data with its source identified. Maintain Professional and Data Integrity Standards: Ensure that assignments do not contain confidential or proprietary information belonging to any employer, client, or institution. Complete Project Onboarding: Participate in an introductory group walkthrough, submit an original task proposal, and follow the evaluation and review process. Successful approval of the initial task may qualify you to complete additional assignments during the project period. Requirements: Relevant Professional Experience: At least 3 years of experience in investment banking, M&A advisory, or corporate development, with practical exposure to financial analysis and modeling. Advanced Excel and Financial Modeling Skills: Strong hands-on expertise in Excel, including merger models, pro forma financial statements, purchase accounting, precedent transaction analysis, football field valuations, and financial functions. Financial Modeling Accuracy: Ability to build, review, troubleshoot, and extend complex financial models while ensuring numerical accuracy, logical consistency, and professional standards. Analytical and Problem-Solving Abilities: Strong attention to detail and the ability to identify modeling errors, translate complex financial workflows into structured tasks, and define clear criteria for evaluating results. Written Communication: Excellent written English skills, with the ability to produce clear task briefs, detailed instructions, and objective evaluation rubrics. Interest in AI Research: Willingness to learn about AI evaluation methodologies, model testing, and evaluation frameworks, even without prior specialized experience in AI. Independent Working Style: Ability to manage assignments autonomously, meet deadlines, and deliver high-quality work within a flexible, remote environment. Data Confidentiality and Integrity: Commitment to using only appropriately sanitized real-world data or public data with clearly identified sources. All task briefs and input workbooks must be created by a human without AI assistance. Availability: Ability to begin promptly and participate in the initial onboarding process, including a 30-minute group walkthrough and submission of an original task with the required input workbook files. Benefits: Fully Remote Work: Complete assignments from anywhere, without the need to work from a physical office. Flexible Schedule: Organize your work around your own schedule, provided you meet the required task deadlines. Project-Based Engagement: Work as an independent contractor on a short-term project expected to last approximately 4–6 weeks. Task-Based Compensation: Receive payment based on completed tasks, with weekly payments following task completion. Opportunity for Additional Assignments: Professionals who complete their first task within the required timeline and receive the necessary approval may qualify to complete multiple tasks throughout the project. Immediate Start: Begin the onboarding process as soon as possible. Exposure to Advanced AI Research: Contribute to the evaluation and improvement of cutting-edge AI systems by applying real-world investment banking and financial modeling expertise. Professional Impact: Help develop realistic evaluation environments that measure how effectively AI can perform complex, specialized financial workflows. Transparent Engagement Terms: The project duration may be extended, shortened, or concluded early depending on project needs and performance. Completion of onboarding does not guarantee an engagement; selection is subject to written approval of the proposed task.