NextBillion - An Initiative of the William Davidson Institute at the University of Michigan

Role Title: Senior Researcher, AI in Financial Services

Location: Remote (with occasional travel to Cambridge, UK, and international travel 1–2 times per quarter)

Start date: Immediately

Contract: Permanent, Full-time

Reports to: AI Research Lead, Financial Innovation for Impact

Join Us

Artificial intelligence is reshaping the future of financial services; transforming how institutions operate, how regulators safeguard markets, and how innovation reaches communities worldwide. At Financial Innovation for Impact (Fii), we bring research, policy, and practice together to create a more equitable, prosperous and sustainable financial future for all.

ABOUT FINANCIAL INNOVATION FOR IMPACT

Financial Innovation for Impact (Fii) is an international, not-for-profit organisation dedicated to the advancement of scalable, sustainable, and evidence-based financial and regulatory innovation. We work with academic institutions, digital finance ecosystem partners, and other stakeholders to create knowledge and apply data-driven insights to inform the development of fintech and the decision-making of central banks, securities regulators, and other financial authorities. Fii generates research, develops digital tools, and delivers capacity building at scale through technical assistance programmes to benefit financially excluded, marginalised, and disadvantaged populations.

Fii was spun out of the Cambridge Centre for Alternative Finance (CCAF) and incorporated in the United Kingdom in 2023. CCAF is a research centre at the University of Cambridge Judge Business School. CCAF’s mission is to create and transfer knowledge addressing emergent gaps relating to technology-enabled financial innovation, and to support evidence-based decision making by market participants, regulators, and related stakeholders.

Fii achieves its mission through a symbiotic collaboration with CCAF as one of its Principal Collaborators, and leveraging a global network of expertise, academic relationships and data science capabilities to deliver impact in countries that we work in.

THE ROLE

We are seeking a Senior Researcher in AI & Financial Services to lead pioneering work at the intersection of technology, finance, and policy and regulation.

You will bring a strong applied understanding of AI, experience in financial services or FinTech, and the ability to engage credibly with policymakers and regulators. As part of Fii’s AI research team, you will deliver major research projects, support the design and delivery of training for regulators worldwide, and represent Fii at international forums in collaboration with multilateral partners such as the World Bank, IMF, BIS, and World Economic Forum.

Our work follows an iterative methodology: research informs practice, practice generates evidence, and evidence shapes new priorities. By combining academic excellence with practical engagement, global perspectives with local expertise, and digital innovation with human-centred design, we create sustainable change in the communities we serve.

Success in Year 1

• Deliver impact by supporting the AI in Financial Services 2030 Research Programme in collaboration with leading multilateral institutions; surveying regulators in 100+ countries and hundreds of financial institutions, FinTech firms, and AI vendors worldwide.
• Build capacity by contributing to the development and delivery of a new AI programme for regulators; strengthening the skills of central banks, securities regulators, and other financial and non-financial authorities in over 100 countries.
• Shape the future by helping identify common challenges or gaps emerging from empirical research and supporting the design of a flagship programme on the intersection of AI, financial services, and policy and regulation; with a focus on low and middle-income countries.

RESPONSIBILITIES & QUALIFICATIONS

Research & Thought Leadership

• Deliver applied research on AI adoption, governance, and impact in financial services.
• Publish and contribute to high-quality reports and thought-leadership pieces.
• Translate technical concepts into accessible insights for financial authorities and industry.

Capacity Building & Training

• Support the design of training programmes to build AI literacy as well as practical capabilities amongst financial regulators and policymakers globally.
• Present confidently to technical and non-technical audiences.

Policy & Regulatory Advisory

• Engage with regulators, central banks, and policymakers as well as traditional financial institutions, FinTech and AI vendors to understand priorities and challenges.
• Act as a bridge between technical insights and regulatory needs.
• Contribute to global debates on AI governance in financial services.

Partnerships & Programme Development

• Spot opportunities for new projects and funding where there is clear demand.
• Contribute to partnership building with multilaterals, regulators, and industry.
• Support Fii’s reputation as the trusted hub for applied research on AI in financial services.

Team & Collaboration

• Mentor and support junior researchers and research partners.
• Collaborate across Fii’s wider team of 80+ experts in FinTech and regulatory innovation.
• Contribute to thought-leadership pieces and programme development.

Representation & Global Outreach

• Represent Fii at conferences, workshops, and forums (with a focus on low- and middle-income countries).
• Share findings and build relationships with global stakeholders.

Essential

• 7+ years’ experience in financial services, FinTech, technology, or related fields.
• Demonstrable track record in AI research (e.g., publications, reports, or applied projects)
• Solid understanding of AI policy issues and regulatory frameworks
• Experience engaging with regulators, central banks, or policymakers.
• Excellent writing and communication skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a multidisciplinary team environment, as well as independently when required
• Comfortable presenting and mentoring junior researchers.

Desirable

• Masters/PhD in AI/ML, Computer Science, Finance, Economics, or related field (preferred but not required).
• Experience designing or delivering training programmes.
• Applied knowledge of AI/ML, including ability to code in Python and work with ML frameworks.
• Proven ability to spot and pursue business opportunities, build partnerships, and support programme development
• Exposure to global financial networks and regulatory communities.

WHAT WE OFFER

• Remote-first working model with international travel.
• Opportunities to collaborate with a talented team of 80+ experts across FinTech and regulatory innovation.
• Affiliation with Cambridge Judge Business School and access to its global network.
• Direct engagement with global partners including the World Bank, IMF, BIS, and WEF.
• A chance to grow into a global-facing role, making a lasting impact at the cutting edge of AI, finance, and regulation

Desired Skills and Experience

Research & Thought Leadership, Capacity Building & Training, Policy & Regulatory Advisory, Partnerships & Programme Development, Team & Collaboration, Representation & Global Outreach, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning