Finance PhD placement refers to the process of graduates of PhD programs in finance securing jobs, primarily academic positions at universities and business schools. It’s a highly competitive process driven by research quality, dissertation topic, and overall academic record. The goal for most finance PhD graduates is to obtain a tenure-track faculty position at a research-intensive institution. These positions allow them to continue their research agenda, teach finance courses, and mentor future PhD students. Placement success is often a key indicator of the quality of a PhD program. The placement process usually begins in the fall of the final year of the PhD program. Students prepare their job market package, which includes a curriculum vitae (CV), job market paper (typically a chapter from their dissertation), research statement, teaching statement, and letters of recommendation from their advisors and other faculty members. Universities advertise open positions, and candidates submit their applications electronically. Shortlisted candidates are invited for interviews, which typically consist of a “flyout” or campus visit. During the flyout, candidates present their job market paper in a research seminar, meet with faculty members individually, and sometimes participate in teaching demonstrations. The interviews are intense, evaluating both research potential and teaching ability. Placement outcomes are influenced by a number of factors. The quality and impact of the job market paper are paramount. The prestige and ranking of the PhD program also play a role, as institutions often recruit from top-tier schools. The overall academic environment, including the mentorship provided by faculty, the availability of resources, and the opportunities for collaboration, significantly affects a student’s research output and, consequently, their placement prospects. Beyond academic positions, some finance PhD graduates pursue careers in the financial industry, particularly in quantitative research roles at hedge funds, investment banks, and asset management firms. These roles often require strong analytical and modeling skills developed during the PhD program. Some graduates also find positions at regulatory agencies or government institutions where their research expertise can be applied to policy issues. Placement data, including the list of graduates and their first jobs, is often published on the website of the finance PhD program. This information can provide prospective students with valuable insights into the program’s placement record and the types of jobs its graduates typically secure. Ultimately, successful placement requires a combination of strong research skills, effective communication abilities, and strategic networking during the PhD program.