Research Analyst for Base Metals / Research Analystess for Base Metals

The Role

Pala is recruiting a Research Analyst for Base Metals to support Pala’s research team and Frontier Commodities (Frontier), a liquid commodities investment strategy that is both supported and empowered by Pala. This high-impact position is central to our growth ambitions, providing the opportunity to work directly with the strategy’s Portfolio Managers, collaborate with a skilled team of fundamental analysts, and partner with our senior data scientist. The successful candidate will play a vital role in generating actionable insights, supporting investment decisions, and shaping the future direction of Frontier.

Your Responsibilities

The role will involve the following:

• Conduct fundamental research on base metals markets: analyze mining production, smelting/refining capacity, inventory levels, cost curves, and end-use demand trends.
• Develop and maintain supply/demand models, price forecasts, and scenario analyses for key base metals.
• Monitor and interpret macroeconomic, geopolitical, and industrial trends influencing base metals, collaborating with the research team to develop the macro outlook.
• Generate trade ideas by recommending medium- and long-term strategies for 0-3 months and 3-6 months outlooks in partnership with trading teams.
• Prepare and present regular research reports, dashboards, and briefings.
• Support fund marketing by preparing investment materials, engaging with key investors, and participating in industry events.
• Serve as a role model of accountability and teamwork for junior team members.

The Individual

The successful candidate will possess the following qualifications:

• At least five years of experience in base metals research, commodities analysis, or related roles (e.g., hedge fund, trading house, consultancy, mining company).
• A deep understanding of copper, nickel, zinc, lead, and tin fundamentals, including supply chain dynamics, logistics, and regional nuances.
• Proficiency in building supply/demand models with advanced skills in Microsoft Excel, including forecasting and data analysis functions.
• Excellent analytical skills with the ability to distill complex data into concise, actionable insights.
• A proven ability to prioritize in a fast-paced, high-pressure, and constantly changing environment.
• A thorough understanding of research techniques.
• The capability to clearly and coherently document and present results in both written and verbal formats.
• A collaborative team-oriented attitude, fostering deep trust and accountability within Pala’s and Frontier’s culture.
• A high sense of quality and urgency.
• Outstanding interpersonal skills.
• Excellent business English.
• Fluency in Chinese (Mandarin) is considered a strong advantage.
• Preference will be given to candidates who are EU or Swiss citizens due to regulatory and operational considerations.

The Offer

We provide the following:

• Market competitive salary;
• Personal bonus and fund performance bonus;
• Annual education budget.

About Working at Pala

Working at Pala means being part of a highly collaborative and dedicated team of investment professionals. You will thrive here if you are a team player and a high achiever with a positive attitude. We work in one office while maintaining a global perspective and value diversity.

Location

Zug, Switzerland

Apply online using the form below. Please note that only applications matching the job profile will be considered.

About Pala Investments

Pala is a multi-strategy investment company. We leverage our knowledge and creativity to utilize long-term capital for generating consistent investment returns while facilitating a transition to a lower carbon economy through responsible and sustainable value chains. Our team is composed of accomplished industry professionals who aim to partner with management teams, boards, and shareholders to create long-term value, in addition to deploying a variety of trading strategies aligned with our investment thesis.

About Frontier Commodities

Frontier is a fully liquid commodity investment strategy, delivering cross-commodity absolute returns through derivatives. Our strategy invests in metals, energy, agriculture, and environmental commodities using a quantamental approach that blends quantitative models with fundamental insights. We utilize an internally developed big data platform and advanced AI systems to support our idea generation. Since our inception, Frontier has demonstrated a strong performance relative to benchmarks.

For more information, visit our websites: www.pala.com and https://frontier-commodities.com/.