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University Associate, Forensic Data & Analytics

Ankura · Chicago, IL · $50,000–$120,000 a year · Full time

Posted Sep 9, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

Tell me about a data project where you found something unexpected. How did you confirm it was real?

What they are checking: Whether they validate findings before presenting them, which matters when results feed investigations.

Tell me about a time you had to learn a new programming language or tool quickly.

What they are checking: Whether they pick up new technology fast, since projects vary widely in platforms and data.

What would you do

A client contact asks you directly for preliminary results before your manager has reviewed them. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they understand review processes and how to say no politely in a sensitive matter.

How would you explain a data finding to an attorney who isn't technical?

What they are checking: Whether they can translate technical results into plain language clients can act on.

About the work

You get data from three different client systems that don't use the same customer IDs. How would you combine them?

What they are checking: Whether they can aggregate, cleanse and normalize disparate sources, which the posting lists as a core duty.

Write out loud a SQL query that finds duplicate payments to the same vendor for the same amount.

What they are checking: Whether they can use SQL practically for the kind of fraud testing forensic teams do.

What's the difference between an inner join and a left join, and when would choosing wrong hurt your analysis?

What they are checking: Whether they understand how join choice silently drops or duplicates records in results.

If you were looking for possible fraud in expense reports, what patterns would you test for?

What they are checking: Whether they can think like an investigator, turning red flags into specific data tests.

What tools have you used for building dashboards or automated reports, and what made one good?

What they are checking: Whether they have exposure to BI work and focus on usefulness for decision makers.

How would you document your data work so someone else could reproduce it exactly?

What they are checking: Whether they understand that defensible, repeatable work is required in litigation and regulatory matters.

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The full job description

As published by Ankura.

Ankura is a team of excellence founded on innovation and growth. This supports the Risk Advisory Group - one of six practices focused on client delivery services across the Firm. Practice Overview : Forensic & Data Analytics (FD&A) specializes in the development of innovative and technology-driven approaches to solve our clients’ challenges. We have a deep expertise transforming massive amounts of disparate data into knowledge to inform critical decision making. The team provides data analytics and advisory services in a wide variety of engagements, including regulatory and fraud investigations, litigations and disputes, business process automation and improvement, and business intelligence and automated reporting. Role Overview: An Associate will work in a collaborative team environment that spans across Ankura’s multidisciplinary areas of expertise. Ankura invests in its people through training, mentorship, and performance feedback to provide continuous development opportunities. Ankura is focused on hiring Associates who will serve as the foundation of a growing firm dedicated to its people, culture, and delivering the highest quality service to clients. ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES: • Deliver on day-to-day activities of engagements including interaction with other team members and client contacts; • Aggregate, cleanse, and normalize disparate sources of data; • Analyze and interpret historical financial, operational, and transactional data; • Create summaries, data visualizations, written analyses, and other presentations of work performed; • Generate consistent and thorough documentation to support processes developed throughout the project lifecycle; • Participate in internal and external team meetings; • Manage time and tasks to meet internal and external deadlines; • Maintain a professional image within the company and project the same to those outside of the company REQUIREMENTS: • Graduating between December 2026 and June 2027 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science, Business Analytics, Data Analytics, MIS, Mathematics, Finance, Accounting, Economics, Statistics, or other analytical area with a solid academic performance. • Strong interest or experience in using technology to solve complex data problems; • Ability to engage in team-oriented projects within a dynamic and fast-paced environment; • Advanced decision-making, problem-solving, logic-based skills with a strong attention to detail; • Ability to manage time and prioritization of tasks; • Ability to prepare high quality work product under strict deadlines; • Ability to interact confidently with senior team members; • Excellent communication (written and verbal), quantitative, and organizational skills; • Strong work ethic, eagerness for continued development, and motivation to succeed; • Creative and innovative thought process; • Strong interest in learning, or experience / familiarity with, the following technologies: Database programming languages (SQL, PL/SQL) and other database applications (MS SQL, Oracle, MySQL, etc.); Programming and scripting languages (Python, C#, VBA, PHP, etc.); ETL software and data visualization tools (SSIS, Pentaho Data Integration, Tableau, Power BI, Spotfire, etc.); eDiscovery tools (Relativity, predictive coding applications, etc.) • Willingness and flexibility to travel as required • Please note that this role requires permanent authorization to work in the U.S. (i.e. U.S. citizen or permanent resident). Internships and full-time University Associate roles are not eligible for U.S. immigration sponsorship, work visa or any other temporary work authorization (i.e. OPT, CPT). Ankura is required to include a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role. This compensation range is specific to the said markets and considers a broad range of factors including but not limited to skill sets, experience and training, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. The disclosed range estimate has not been adjusted for the applicable geographic differential associated with the location at which the position may be filled. The range does not include additional benefits outside of salary. At Ankura, it is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range for their role and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each role. A reasonable estimate of the current base pay range is between $50,000 to $120,000; this range is not a promise of a particular wage. Ankura is an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against based on disability. Equal Employment Opportunity Posters, if you have a disability and believe you need a reasonable accommodation to search for a job opening, submit an online application, or participate in an interview/assessment, please email accommodations@ankura.com or call toll-free +1.312-583-2122. This email and phone number are created exclusively to assist disabled job seekers whose disability prevents them from being able to apply online. Only messages left for this purpose will be returned. Messages left for other purposes, such as following up on an application or technical issues unrelated to a disability, will not receive a response.

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