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Research Analyst Summer 2027 (Finance)

Chicago, Illinois, United States

Coherent Economics is a boutique economic consulting firm with offices in Illinois, Massachusetts and Texas. We are seeking a Research Analyst with a focus in Finance to join our Chicago office for Summer 2027.  

As a Research Analyst in our finance practice, you will work primarily on finance-focused matters, with some exposure to other practice areas. Assignments may involve corporate finance and valuation, securities and financial markets, financial institutions and payment systems, bankruptcy, business disputes, contractual claims, and financial damages. Working on case teams with colleagues and finance experts, you will contribute to engagements from start to finish while developing technical, financial, and professional skills in a collaborative environment. 

This role is designed for candidates who want to apply finance concepts to complex real-world disputes. You will examine financial records, market evidence, transaction data, and business documents; build and review financial analyses; and help translate detailed findings into intuitive results for clients and experts. 

Training and Development 

For the past several years, Coherent has successfully hired and developed cohorts of Research Analysts who have gone on to build rewarding careers at the firm. We have crafted an onboarding program of employee-led module trainings, panels, presentations by our Partners and senior leadership, and peer-to-peer mentorship to help our Analysts quickly become valued contributors to our client casework. Many of our tenured employees began their careers as Analysts, demonstrating the opportunities available for those eager to learn, contribute, and grow with Coherent. 

At Coherent, we are committed to investing in our people and building long-term careers. As your career progresses, you will have opportunities to take on increased responsibility, manage projects, mentor junior team members, and deepen your expertise in economic consulting. For employees interested in pursuing graduate education, Coherent offers an MBA-sponsorship program for tenured, high-performing team members. This benefit enables employees to continue their professional development while receiving financial support from the firm and returning with enhanced leadership, business, and analytical skills to accelerate their careers. 

 Duties and Responsibilities

  • Financial Analysis and Modeling 
    Build and analyze financial models using Excel and other analytical tools. Depending on the matter, your work may include discounted cash flow analysis, comparable company analysis, transaction analysis, damages calculations, scenario and sensitivity analysis, and evaluation of financial performance. 
  • Valuation and Damages Support 
    Support analyses involving business valuation, shareholder and contractual disputes, mergers and acquisitions, bankruptcy, and financial damages. Assist the case team in assessing assumptions, reconciling source data, documenting methodologies, and testing the reasonableness of results.
  • Research and Economic Investigation 
    Conduct industry research, review market and company information, evaluate economic literature, and synthesize findings into clear, actionable insights that support case strategy and expert opinions. 
  • Case Support and Expert Reporting  
    Assist in the preparation of expert reports, presentations, and client deliverables. You will help communicate complex economic concepts in a manner that is clear, persuasive, and accessible to non-technical audiences.
  • Collaboration and Client Service 
    Work closely with colleagues across all levels of the firm, from fellow Analysts to Directors and Partners. At Coherent, Analysts are trusted contributors whose ideas and perspectives help shape project outcomes from day one.
  • Professional Development 
    Participate in formal training programs, mentorship opportunities, and ongoing learning experiences designed to strengthen your analytical, technical, and communication skills. 
     

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Finance or equivalent field  
  • Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.6  
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, and other Microsoft Office applications  
  • Experience with Stata, R, Python, SQL, or similar analytical software  
  • Strong analytical, problem-solving, and quantitative reasoning skills  
  • Exceptional attention to detail and a highly organized, process-oriented work style  
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills  
  • Ability to work independently while contributing effectively in a collaborative team environment  
  • Positive attitude, intellectual curiosity, and commitment to Coherent's workplace values  
  • Ability to commute to our  Chicago office on Tuesdays and Thursdays 

Application Process: 

  • Application Deadline is September 16 at 11:59pm/CST 
  • Applicants selected to move forward will participate in a virtual first-round interview. After that, candidates who advance will participate in a final round of in-person interviews in our Chicago office.  
  • A note on Artificial Intelligence: Coherent strongly encourages learning and innovation with AI. However, the use of AI in the application and interview process is not permitted.  
    • Coherent utilizes AI-enabled tools to help identify, screen, and assess candidates throughout the recruitment process. AI-generated insights are used to support decision-making, but employment decisions are never made by automated systems and remain the responsibility of our hiring team. By applying for a position with Coherent, you consent to the use of AI-assisted recruiting tools as part of the application review process. 
  • A note about visa sponsorship: Full-time candidates requiring visa support must have or anticipate having a STEM degree upon graduation and must be eligible for at least 36 months of work authorization. 
  • The salary for this position is $100,000 with an additional annual bonus

Coherent Economics, LLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, age, genetic information, or pregnancy, or any other characteristic protected by law.

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