Research Intern

Who are we?

We are CEM, a global data and insights firm for institutional investors including pension funds, insurance companies, endowments, foundations, family offices and sovereign wealth funds.

Our blue-chip corporate and government clients represent US$16 trillion in assets under management and over 100 million members. We provide them with objective insights to maximize value for money in both investments and pension administration. This helps our clients better understand where they stand and how to improve their performance. By improving our clients' performance, we, in turn, improve the financial well-being of pensioners globally.

How do we provide unique and actionable insight? By coupling the most extensive global database in the pension arena with unrivalled industry knowledge. All of this comes from experience - we have been at this since 1992. We were founded in Canada and expanded to the US and UK more than a decade ago.

We work together in a small company ambiance where your contributions will be appreciated, and your progress will be directly related to your ability and effort. Working at CEM, you will stretch your creative and analytical abilities while participating in the growth of a headline-making business.

What are we looking for?

We're looking for a Research Intern to join our Research & Analytics Team, where you'll build your skills through hands-on work on our custom research projects.

Working closely with experienced researchers, you'll do in-depth research and analysis, gather relevant data, spot industry trends, and present actionable insights that help our clients and partners succeed. Your work will draw on the most extensive global database in the pension field.

This internship is designed as a pathway to a full-time role. If the internship goes well, we intend to offer you a permanent position as a Research Analyst on our R&A Team.

Internship Details

• Start date: January 4, 2027
• Duration: 4 or 6 months
• Location: Hybrid, with 2 days a week in our Toronto office
• Buddy program: You'll be paired with a "buddy" from the Research Team to help you settle into our culture and our work.
• Compensation: Competitive
• Pathway to full-time: If you perform well, you can expect an offer to join CEM as a Research Analyst after the internship.

What will you do in this role?

• Contribute to two research projects commissioned by CEM client communities.
• Do in-depth research and analysis on topics relevant to institutional investors and pension funds.
• Gather, clean, and analyze data from our proprietary database and from external sources.
• Identify industry trends and turn your findings into clear, actionable insights.
• Prepare charts, summaries, and presentation materials for the R&A Team, clients, and partners.
• Present your findings to the Research Team and take part in team discussions.
• Raise questions and flag data issues early.

What you’ll bring to this role?

• A personal desire to make a difference in the financial well-being of pensioners.
• A university degree (completed or in progress) in Finance, Economics, Business, Engineering or a related quantitative field.
• Some prior work experience is preferred, which may include internships, co-op placements, summer jobs, or up to 1 year of post-graduation experience.
• Strong analytical and research skills, and a curious mind that looks past surface-level data.
• The ability to find trends and build a narrative from large volumes of data.
• Strong Excel skills. Experience with Python, R, or SQL is an asset.
• Excellent writing and communication skills.
• An interest in investments, pensions or capital markets. Previous internship or co-op experience in the field is an asset.
• Fluency in written and spoken French and Dutch is an asset; proficiency in other languages is also considered an advantage.

What does success look like in this role?

• Deliver consistently accurate work with minimal rework
• Contribute meaningfully to high-quality research.
• Turn complex data into clear, compelling insights.
• Build strong, collaborative relationships with the R&A Team.
• Show the curiosity, ownership, and growth that set you up to transition into a full-time Research Analyst role.

Why join us?

• Work directly with some of Canada's leading pension funds and institutional investors.
• Publish research that shapes thinking across the global pension industry.
• Enjoy the agility of a growing firm with the stability of an established global organization.
• Work with a highly collaborative team where your ideas shape business decisions.
• Opportunities to work with complex datasets to draw elegant insights.
• A hybrid work environment, 2 days a week in the office.
• A curiosity-driven culture founded on a desire to improve lives.
• A team that is stronger for its gender, cultural, and intellectual diversity.

Ready to make an impact?

If you love digging into data, enjoy turning research into stories, and want to grow your career while helping improve the financial well-being of pensioners, we'd love to hear from you!