Data Specialist (Analyst, Risk & Quant Analytics)

Company Introduction

Polymer Capital Management is a market-neutral, multi-manager investment platform based in and focused on Asia. Polymer combines established institutional support and deep knowledge of local financial markets with a dedication to discovering and developing the region's best investment talent. Polymer was established in conjunction with PAG, one of the world's largest Asia-focused alternative asset managers, in 2019.

Job Summary

We are seeking a detail-oriented and analytical Data Specialist to join our hedge fund's Data Platform team. This role is responsible for evaluating, acquiring, and onboarding datasets that support quantitative research and investment strategies. The successful candidate will work closely with portfolio managers, quantitative researchers, data engineers, and external vendors to assess the suitability, quality, and technical characteristics of prospective datasets, and integration into the firm's data platform. The role also contributes to data governance, vendor management, and ongoing dataset lifecycle management.

Key Responsibilities

• Act as a primary liaison between investment teams, technology teams, and external data vendors.
• Partner with portfolio managers and quantitative researchers to understand data requirements for investment research and alpha generation.
• Identify and evaluate new market, fundamental, and alternative datasets to support investment strategies.
• Conduct dataset due diligence, including assessments of data coverage, historical depth, timeliness, completeness, consistency, and point-in-time availability.
• Analyze dataset structure, delivery methods, and integration requirements to determine operational feasibility and scalability.
• Coordinate proof-of-concept exercises and vendor evaluations to assess the investment value and usability of prospective datasets.
• Partner with technology teams to support the onboarding and integration of approved datasets into the firm's data platform.
• Maintain accurate records of data inventories, vendor performance, usage metrics.
• Support data governance, documentation, and data quality monitoring processes.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Financial Engineering, Computer Science, Data Science, or a related discipline.
• 1–3 years of experience in data operations, data analysis, research support, or a similar function.
• Understanding of financial market data, alternative data, and the role of datasets within quantitative investment research workflows.
• Ability to evaluate datasets from both technical and business perspectives, including data quality, coverage, usability, and implementation considerations.
• Basic programming proficiency in data analysis tools such as Python and SQL.
• Familiarity with databases, cloud-based data platforms, APIs, and common data formats.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to engage effectively with investment professionals, technology teams, and external data vendors.
• Highly organized with strong attention to detail and a commitment to data quality.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver results in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.

Preferred Qualifications (Good to Have)

• Prior experience within a hedge fund, asset management firm, investment bank, or broader financial services environment.
• Exposure to market data platforms such as Bloomberg, LSEG/Refinitiv, FactSet, or other financial data providers.
• Understanding of quantitative investment processes, portfolio management workflows, or data acquisition practices.
• Understanding of investment data concepts such as survivorship bias, point-in-time data, corporate actions, and backtesting requirements.
• Experience working with external data vendors, brokers' data platforms, or alternative data providers.

Why Join Polymer

• Prime Location: You'll work full time from our centrally located office space in the heart of Hong Kong.
• High-Growth: We have a team of highly ambitious professionals with a strong desire to learn and develop their skills.
• Equal Opportunity Employer: We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.
• Global Exposure: With six offices and three affiliate offices around the region, Polymer teams work together to solve meaningful problems at scale.

Benefits

• Paid annual leave
• Medical group insurance
• Monthly gym subsidy / gym facility