Forensic
Economist Intern Program: September
--December 2018 (Unpaid)
U.S.
Commodity Futures Trading Commission - Division of Enforcement
The
Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) is an independent agency mandated to
regulate commodity futures, swaps and options trading in the United States.
Through oversight and regulation, the CFTC fosters open, competitive, and
financially sound futures and option markets, and protects market participants
against manipulation, abusive practices, and fraud related to the sale of
commodity and financial futures and options.
The
Division of Enforcement investigates and prosecutes alleged violations of the
Commodity Exchange Act and CFTC regulations. For example, the Division brings
enforcement actions against: individuals and firms registered with the
Commission; those who violate these laws in connection with their trading
commodity futures and options on designated domestic exchanges; those who improperly
market futures and options contracts to retail investors or perpetrate Ponzi
schemes; those who use manipulative or deceptive schemes in connection with
commodities, futures or swaps; and those who engage in disruptive trading
practices. The Division bases investigations on information it develops
independently, as well as information provided by other Commission Divisions,
industry self-regulatory associations, state, federal, and international
authorities, and members of the public. At the conclusion of an investigation,
the Division may recommend that the Commission initiate administrative
proceedings or seek injunctive and ancillary relief on behalf of the Commission
in United States District Courts around the country.
Description
of the Program:
The
Division of Enforcement selects graduate or undergraduate candidates seeking a
degree in Economics or other quantitative disciplines each semester to work as
unpaid Forensic Economist Interns in its Washington, D.C. headquarters.
Participants will work with the Division’s Forensic Economist Unit for
approximately twenty (20) to forty (40) hours per week. Interns may arrange to
earn course credit through their school for work performed during their CFTC
internship.
The
intern serves as a technical expert for assisting Division of Enforcement staff
in conducting legal investigations into certain activities observed in
derivatives markets. The intern will utilize empirical research and analytical
tools to advise Division of Enforcement attorneys, investigators and economists
on assigned commodity markets to assess whether trading conduct by certain
entities is potentially in violation of anti-manipulation or anti-disruptive
trading practice provisions of the Commodity Exchange Act or related Commission
Regulations. Interns will also have the opportunity to attend
Industry/Legal/Technical Training Programs alongside CFTC staff on such topics
as futures trading, electronic markets, swaps, energy derivatives,
international futures markets and regulation, forex, and trade practices.
Qualifications:
Applicants
should possess strong writing and analytical skills, and preferably, possess
experience with financial instruments – commodities, derivatives, securities,
and foreign exchange; completed coursework related to econometrics, data
analysis techniques and financial regulation is also highly desirable. All
applicants with a strong interest in financial regulation, investigation, and
data analysis are welcomed and encouraged to apply.
If
seeking college credit, a student advisor may be required to certify an
Intern’s participation in this program. The student advisor will ensure that
the appropriate credit is given to the Intern for participating in this program
if offered by their school.
Applicants
preferably should be U.S. Citizens, although visa students may be eligible.
Although Interns are not employees of the CFTC, they are required to abide by
the rules of the Commission’s Code of Conduct pertaining to, among other
things, futures transactions, conflicts of interest, and the confidential
nature of information obtained in their work at the CFTC.
How
to Apply:
Application
materials may be sent via email to Dr. John Buffington ( jbuffington@cftc.gov) by August 3 2018. Submit the following documents in your
application package:
Cover
letter; Resume; Transcript (unofficial transcript is acceptable).
