DE Shaw Generalist
Hi everyone! I was contacted out of the blue by a recruiter from DE Shaw for a generalist position.
My background is in medicine; I am a medical doctor, with a quantitative background (data science and causal inference) working as a research scientist at a top 5 medical school in the US.
I cleared the first phone interview and now they are asking for a writing sample and some more information.
I have a few questions that I couldn’t find any answer to anywhere!
Does anybody have any information about career progression in this role? What about salary? They mentioned a 200k base salary + Bonus given my education + YOE… but What’s the target bonus in this position? Am I looking at 10% or 50% or 100%?
I have a lot of work and I am already interviewing for physician scientist positions elsewhere, so I want to know if it is even worth to keep pushing forward with the application.
Thanks everybody!
Based on the most helpful WSO content, here's what you need to know:
Career Progression: The generalist role at D.E. Shaw is somewhat unique and may not have a clear-cut progression path compared to traditional finance or consulting roles. While it offers exposure to various aspects of the firm, the role might not provide the same breadth of exit opportunities as MBB consulting or other high-profile finance roles. Within D.E. Shaw, progression could lead to more specialized or senior roles, but the generalist credential might not be as "exportable" outside the firm, especially within the asset management industry, unless you pivot into a more defined quantitative or finance role.
Salary and Bonus: A $200k base salary is consistent with what D.E. Shaw offers for high-caliber candidates in specialized roles. Regarding the bonus, while exact figures for the generalist role aren't explicitly detailed, bonuses at D.E. Shaw can vary significantly depending on performance and the role's impact. For context, bonuses in similar roles at the firm can range from 25% to 100%+ of the base salary. Given your background and the $200k base, you might be looking at a target bonus closer to the higher end of this range, but this is discretionary and depends on individual and firm performance.
Worth Pursuing?: If you're already interviewing for physician-scientist positions and have a strong interest in continuing within medicine or research, you should weigh the opportunity cost. The D.E. Shaw role offers a lucrative compensation package and exposure to a prestigious firm, but it might not align with your long-term career goals if you're passionate about staying in the medical field. However, if you're open to exploring a pivot into finance or leveraging your quantitative background in a new way, this could be a unique and rewarding opportunity.
Ultimately, it depends on your career aspirations and how much you're willing to invest in exploring this path further. If the compensation and potential career shift excite you, it might be worth continuing the process. If not, focusing on your current trajectory might be the better choice.
Sources: Bridgewater vs. D.E. Shaw, MBB vs D.E. Shaw, https://www.wallstreetoasis.com/forum/private-equity/qa-non-target-top-bucket-ssg-private-creditdirect-lending?customgpt=1, Q&A: Corp Dev Professional at Large-Cap Tech Company, 2021 S&T Bonus
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