PhD Maths - What research topic to specialise in for banking?

[Michael Memstar]

I was hoping for some advise, I've worked within investment banking for 10 years and I am happy and confident with my future career, but find I want to pursue a personal goal of achieving a PhD in Mathematics.


This is more a personal decision than anything career driven, I'm 30 at the moment, so if i take a part time course I should finish by 35/36.

I wish to continue with my job which is a mixture of market/credit risk consultancy, thus I think its logical to pick a topic which will be relevant and hot in 5 years, assuming I choose to stay in banking.

Any suggestions?

I've asked some colleagues, whom suggested CVA, funding, pricing in a multi curve framework or Forward RWA.

I'm just worried this is more driven from recent regulations rather than valid/interesting topics over the next 5 years.

Kind regards,
Michael

 

[st_augustine]

First, I would do research and reading on my own time and not enter a PhD program until I knew what area I want to spend 4 years studying.

I think the best thing to do for exploring research is pick out some programs you are considering, visit professors' websites in finance or fin eng if they have it, and look at their work. To me this better than taking random suggestions, which may change in a few months.

 

[koupparis]

Most math PhD students finish their degree in 5 years, doing not much else but studying maths and doing research. While I don't know your personal background, it's a little ambitious to assume you can do this in 5-6 years part-time, after being out of school for what I assume is 10 years. What is your math background? You will have to take advanced math courses and prelims/quals/orals in fairly advanced math topics. With that in mind, st_augustine's suggestion is a good one to get your feet wet, and gain a better understanding of what's out there, and what people are focused on.

 

[Daniel Duffy]

I think the risks are too high, based on what you have written.

Do you already a respectable/hard degree in Maths?