Cambridge Global Benchmarking Fintech Market Research Internship Programme

The programme

The Cambridge Centre for Alternative Finance (CCAF) is seeking research interns to join our international and diverse fintech benchmarking team, focused on industry and market facing primary research activities.

You will be contributing to our Global Fintech agenda, including our acclaimed Alternative Finance Benchmarking series, our COVID-19 Impact & Resiliency series, our Access to Finance series and other adjacent research programmes.

This is a great research opportunity to engage with various fintech providers operating across different finTech verticals such as:

• digital lending
• digital capital raising
• digital payments
• digital banking
• insurtech
• wealthtech
• regtech.

You will learn about their business models, study current market trends, and to contribute to a high-impact global reporting.

Hours are flexible and you can be fully remote. We are looking for quantitative and qualitative research interns with excellent communication, analytical and writing skills.

The role

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Main responsibilities

Field research

• Assisting in primary survey data collection across fintech firms globally.
• Taking responsibility for survey outreach activities within a particular region and surrounding jurisdictions.
• Ensuring the integrity of the database by identifying and vetting new fintech firms operating across different verticals.
• Engaging with key research stakeholders, including fintech firms, NGOs, development banks, etc.

Data analysis & reporting

• Working alongside data analytics team to validate primary data.
• Conducting desk research to identify adequate secondary data sources and conducting secondary research to assist in verification/efficacy of hypothesises being tested.
• Working alongside data analytics team to validate primary data.
• Contributing to the analysis, presentation and visualisation of the data, wherever applicable.
• Participating in testing methodology and encouraged to pursue analysis on areas of academic interest to them.
• Contributing to report writing and other authorship opportunities, as an author of subsequent reports.
• Participating in dissemination of findings or publications to fintech firms and other key stakeholders.

Benefits

As an intern you:

• will work with a world-leading research institute and have access to the knowledge share sessions with peers and alternative finance experts within the Centre
• may be invited to join as co-authors of the research reports and articles published by the Centre
• will receive a certificate upon successful completion of the internship programme to accelerate your career in fintech by enhancing your CV
• may be offered a stipend or financial reimbursement for expenses (relative to candidate’s personal circumstances) up to £800/month in case of full-time commitment and £400/month for part-time.

About you

The following qualities, skills and attributes are indicative of those you are likely to have as a candidate for this role. You are asked to provide a CV and covering letter demonstrating how your own experience meets these requirements.

Essential characteristics

• Bachelors, masters or PhD degree (final year students will be considered).
• Knowledge of fintech/alternative finance market ecosystem.
• Strong attention to detail, and reliable completion of tasks to a high standard.
• Strong understanding of Excel.
• Strong written and oral communication skills, including English language.
• Excellent time management and planning skills with a commitment to deliver and being held accountable.
• Ability to work independently, as well as part of an interdisciplinary team in a collaborative project.
• Ability to balance multiple tasks and work towards tight deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

Desirable characteristics

• Strong stakeholder management skills.
• Regional understanding of FinTech markets.
• Market research experience in any fintech activities.
• Strong data-analytics skills, including statistical packages such as SPSS, STATA, R, Power Bi.

Testimonials

• Vidula (India)
• Nico (Italy)
• Prince (Ghana)
• Catalina (Colombia)
• Claudio (Honduras)

Vidula Rajain

Vidula is a final year student at BITS Pilani pursuing a Masters in Mathematics and Bachelors of Engineering in Chemical Engineering, passionate about Fintech and Data Science.

“

In just a few months with CCAF, I have learned a lot professionally. I have built a strong foundational knowledge of alternative finance, analytics and data science. I got the wonderful opportunity to work on automating the data extraction. Excited about learning and growing even more alongside such a brilliant team! ”

Nico Lauridsen

Nico is a PhD student from the University of Bologna. His main research is on the role of soft and hard information in financial innovation related to developing embedded finance solutions in the banking and payment industry.

“

I have learned how to apply academic knowledge for more policy and market oriented research. This is a key element for the growth of the fintech ecosystem, policy-makers, academics, and practitioners should work in the same direction. I enjoyed being part of an international team that brings different perspectives and expresses every day on how the fintech markets are evolving. This was a unique learning experience. ”

Prince Baah-Peprah

Prince is a doctoral research fellow at the University of Agder’s (UiA) School of Business and Law and a member of the Crowdfunding Research Centre at UiA.

“

My Internship at the Cambridge Centre for Alternative Finance (CCAF) has tremendously upgraded my skills in conducting quality research ie right from the data collection to data analysis and final communication of results to target audience. Despite being in a three-year PhD programme, the internship enlightened me on applied research techniques oriented towards the provision of insights for policies and decisions for significant stakeholders eg World Bank Group and World Economic Forum. Indeed, as an intern, it has been a great experience being part of such a diverse research team that collaborates, learn, support, and achieve targets together as single unit. ”

Catalina Velandia Quimbayo

Catalina is currently pursuing a Master in Sustainable Finance at Kedge Business School. Her research has mainly focused on the regulation and governance of new technologies.

“

The CCAF leads different projects through the year, I had the opportunity to participate in the different phases of a big project, including desktop research, data collection and analysis, and write-up. Overall, the internship allowed me to have a better understanding of the fintech ecosystem and enhanced my research and analytical skills. ”

Claudio Salgado

Claudio received his PhD in Governance from the University of Navarra, a BSc in Industrial Engineering (magna cum laude) from the Catholic University of Honduras and is an MBA Finance candidate.

“

I enjoyed exploring technology-enabled finance with an amazing team across the world. I had the chance to manage relations with a myriad of platforms and build resilience and problem-solving skills. New questions arise for me, concerning trust in digital environments and how to train the public to benefit from financial innovations. ”

Application timelines

Applications are accepted on a rolling-basis.