Large HF: Research Analyst. Comp, growth, role, W/L?

Hi everyone - I have an interview with a large, well known hedge fund (~$50B AUM) as a research analyst. The role is sold as being close to the investment team, with comp at ~225-250 all in. 

I'm wondering if this is more of a back office role, or if there is room to grow, maybe leave to the investment team at a smaller fund a few years down the line. 

How would you think about this role (research) vs. being on the investment team at a much smaller fund?

Any help would be appreciated, my background is in commercial due diligence at a strategy consulting firm, so this is a new world for me. Thanks!

 
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Am I missing something here... this sounds like an investment role so I can't tell what you are asking. I'm guessing maybe you are talking about Bridgewater or another quant shop given the AUM size and the fact that the Research role is being sold as "close to the investment team" - in which case I think I understand your question a bit better.

What was the job description? Apparently some larger quant shops like DE Shaw and AQR have some fundamental equity teams, in which case a Research Analyst for those teams should be "investing". Also have seen Two Sigma posting for fundamental analysts on their job board. If it is a pure quant shop and not a fundamental sleeve within the firm, the research role may end up being so firm specific that it might be harder to transition to other firms in a direct investing seat (though not impossible I imagine). It will be less traditional fundamental security analysis though, therefore less applicable to other seats. 
 

If you are working for a PM in a fundamental capacity, then it sounds like an amazing opportunity honestly, and I don't know why you would want to move to a smaller firm necessarily. The interviewer will probably let you know what kind of work you will be doing / your contribution. 

Anyways I don't work at a HF so maybe I am wrong here, but this is my general take from what I know. 

 

There is an investment team - the research team's role is to support the investment team. Not a quant shop, but one of the top HFs in NYC by brand recognition. Definitely seems like more industry research vs. fundamental security analysis, as you mentioned. 

This is why I'm asking - is this role a dead end? Are these types of roles typically much slower comp progression?

Happy to answer any other questions that could help clarify the situation

 

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