2027 AI Quant Summer Analyst

Location: La Jolla Department: DATS

We are global private markets specialists delivering tailored investment solutions, advisory services, and impactful, data driven insights to the world’s investors. Leveraging the power of our platform and our peerless intelligence across sectors, strategies, and geographies, we help identify the advantages and the answers our clients need to succeed.

Application deadline: November 27, 2026

The team you'll join

StepStone's AI & Quantitative Investment Research team applies artificial intelligence, quantitative methods, and the firm's proprietary data to investment research across private markets. The team works at the intersection of investing, data, and technology, with a focus on identifying differentiated investment signals, strengthening portfolio insights, and translating StepStone's institutional knowledge into practical decision-support tools. Our work spans the research lifecycle, from framing high-value investment questions and evaluating available data to testing analytical approaches and communicating findings to investment professionals. The goal is not simply to build sophisticated models, but to produce rigorous, explainable insights that can inform investment judgment.

About the role

StepStone is seeking a highly analytical and technically capable intern to support applied AI and quantitative research within private markets. The role offers hands-on exposure to real investment questions, proprietary datasets, and cross-functional work with investment, data, and technology professionals.

The intern will help move research from an initial question through analysis and interpretation, with an emphasis on thoughtful problem solving, sound judgment, and clear communication. This is an opportunity to develop practical experience in how modern analytical tools can support investment research while learning the fundamentals of private markets investing. We are looking for collaborative, intellectually curious candidates who take ownership of their work, question assumptions, remain open to feedback, and are comfortable working through ambiguous problems.

What you'll do

Interns will contribute to applied research that uses AI and quantitative methods to support investment analysis across private markets. The work may include exploring potential investment signals, examining performance and portfolio trends, and assessing how information from StepStone’s proprietary data and investment materials can provide differentiated insights.

You will help translate investment questions into structured analysis, evaluate the relevance and reliability of the findings, and communicate the practical implications to investment stakeholders. Projects will be collaborative and may span multiple asset classes, giving you exposure to how analytical research informs investment judgment in different private markets contexts.

Key responsibilities

Support applied AI and quantitative research using StepStone’s proprietary data and institutional knowledge to identify investment signals, performance drivers, portfolio trends, and emerging risks across private markets.

Apply statistical, econometric, machine learning, and natural-language processing methods to structured and unstructured information, with an emphasis on producing robust, explainable, and economically intuitive findings.

Work with investment, data, and technology stakeholders to translate investment questions into analytical approaches and connect research findings to practical applications in investment selection, portfolio construction, monitoring, benchmarking, and risk assessment.

Document research approaches, assumptions, findings, and limitations, and communicate conclusions clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences.

What we're looking for

Pursuing a bachelor’s or master’s degree in Mathematics, Statistics, Econometrics, Computer Science, Engineering, Data Science, Finance, Economics, or a related quantitative field. Advanced coursework or research experience in quantitative methods, machine learning, or empirical analysis is preferred.

Ability to work in-person in our La Jolla office during the 2027 summer intern program and work part-time remotely during the 2028 Fall semester preferred.

Strong Python coding skills with experience in data pipelines and quantitative modeling; SQL proficiency required, with demonstrated ability to work with large, messy real-world datasets.

Experience or coursework in AI/ML (LLMs, NLP, data retrieval, vector embeddings) is highly preferred.

Strong problem-solving skills and intellectual curiosity, with a willingness to challenge assumptions, investigate unexpected results, and understand the reasoning behind an analysis.

Clear written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to explain technical concepts and analytical findings to investment stakeholders.

Open to feedback and continuous improvement, with a strong intellectual curiosity.

Familiarity with cloud data platforms (e.g., Snowflake, Azure), vector databases, or workflow orchestration tools (e.g., Airflow) is a plus.

Willingness to contribute at all levels—whether tackling complex modeling or assisting with data prep, no task is too small.

Why join us?

At StepStone, we foster a supportive and inclusive team culture where collaboration and learning are the core of what we do. Our collegial atmosphere encourages teamwork, mentorship, and professional development. This summer internship is a great opportunity to gain practical experience and develop critical skills that will help you launch a successful career in private markets.

Click here to learn more about the intern experience.

Salary: $30/hour

The salary is an estimate of pay for this position.  Actual pay may vary depending on job-related factors that can include location, education, skill, and experience.  The salary does not include any benefits or other forms of possible compensation that may be ava