The Role
Pala is seeking a Research Analyst for Agricultural Commodities to join our research team and support Frontier Commodities, a liquid commodities investment strategy empowered by Pala. This high-impact position is at the forefront of our growth ambitions and offers a unique opportunity to collaborate directly with the strategy’s Portfolio Managers, work alongside seasoned fundamental analysts, and partner with our senior data scientist. The successful candidate will play a pivotal role in generating actionable insights, informing investment decisions, and shaping the future direction of Frontier.
Responsibilities
The role will involve the following:
- Conducting fundamental research on agricultural commodities, including analysis of supply, inventory levels, cost curves, and end-use demand trends.
- Developing and maintaining supply/demand models, price forecasts, and scenario analyses for key agricultural commodities.
- Monitoring and interpreting macroeconomic, geopolitical, and industrial trends affecting soft commodities, collaborating with the research team to create a comprehensive macro outlook.
- Generating trade ideas by recommending medium- and long-term strategies with outlooks for the 0-3 months and 3-6 months periods in cooperation with trading teams.
- Preparing and presenting regular research reports, dashboards, and briefings.
- Supporting fund marketing efforts by creating investment materials and letters, engaging with key investors, and representing the firm at industry events.
- Serving as a role model of accountability and teamwork for junior members of the team.
The Ideal Candidate
The successful candidate will possess the following qualifications:
- At least five years of experience in agricultural research, trading, or a related field (e.g., hedge fund, trading house, consultancy, agriculture company).
- A deep understanding of agricultural commodities, focusing on grains, softs, oilseeds, and vegetable oils fundamentals, alongside expertise in supply chain dynamics, logistics, and regional nuances.
- Proficiency in building supply/demand models with advanced skills in Microsoft Excel, particularly in forecasting and data analysis functions.
- Strong analytical skills with the ability to distill complex data into clear, actionable insights.
- A capacity to prioritize in a fast-paced, high-pressure, and dynamic environment.
- The ability to document and present results clearly and coherently, both in written and verbal formats.
- A collaborative attitude; Pala’s and Frontier’s culture is built on teamwork, deep trust, and accountability. In this role, you will help establish benchmarks for integrity and analytical excellence.
- A high sense of quality and urgency.
- Outstanding interpersonal skills.
- Fluency in business English.
- Preference will be given to candidates who are EU or Swiss citizens due to regulatory and operational considerations.
The Offer
We offer the following:
- Market competitive salary.
- Personal bonus and fund performance bonus.
- Annual education budget.
About Working at Pala
Joining Pala means becoming part of a collaborative and dedicated team of investment professionals. You will thrive in our environment if you are a team player and high achiever with a positive attitude. Operating from a single office with a global perspective, we value diversity and inclusivity.
Location
Zug, Switzerland
Application Process
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 leveraging knowledge and creativity to generate consistent investment returns while facilitating a shift towards a lower carbon economy driven by responsible and sustainable value chains. Our team comprises accomplished industry professionals who collaborate with management teams, boards, and shareholders to create long-term value, in addition to employing a variety of trading strategies aligned with our investment thesis.
About Frontier Commodities
Frontier represents a fully liquid commodity investment strategy that delivers cross-commodities absolute returns through derivatives. The strategy encompasses investments in metals, energy, agriculture, and environmental commodities, utilizing a quantamental approach that merges quantitative models with fundamental insights. We leverage an internally developed big data platform and advanced AI systems to support our idea generation, boasting a strong performance track record relative to benchmarks since inception.
For more information, visit our websites: www.pala.com and https://frontier-commodities.com/