RISC Colloquia

Our colloquia series provides a public forum for learning and dialogue among junior and senior scholars, as well as professionals from the public and private sectors. Open to everyone, these events share insights from the university and leading research institutions worldwide, advancing knowledge and supporting safer, more resilient communities. The series features three distinct streams — one for RMI academics, one for RMI industry professionals, and one for RMI junior scholars. With both in-person and virtual options, participants from around the world can take part and engage in meaningful exchange.

Businessman on dark background creating renewable and sustainable eco energy 3D rendering

𝗥𝗶č𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗮𝘀 𝗭𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗸𝗶𝘀 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝗣𝗿𝗶𝘇𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗤𝘂𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗶𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗥𝗶𝘀𝗸 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁

In the spirit of continuing the incredible legacy left by Professor Ričardas Zitikis — a brilliant scholar, devoted mentor, visionary leader, and co-founding Director of the RISC Foundation — we are proud to announce the creation of the Ričardas Zitikis Research Prize in Quantitative Risk Management.

This annual international prize will recognize an outstanding PhD student who demonstrates excellence in quantitative risk research.

Research & Publication

Hélène Massam Memorial Award

Cash prize to cover Society of Actuaries' Exam P Fee.

Eligibility: all students enrolled at Canadian universities who successfully completed the SOA Exam P between June 2025 and May 2026 are eligible to apply.

Professor Hélène Massam was an accomplished statistician. She was deeply appreciated and respected by students as an outstanding mentor and teacher who devoted herself to helping her students achieve high standards.

Explore and apply for opportunities with RISC and our partners

YOUR ROLE

We are seeking a Fall 2025 Intern for the role of Enterprise Governance Risk Coordinator Intern at our partner organization. You will be interning at a leading property and casualty insurance group in Canada, providing home, automobile, lifestyle, and business insurance to over 2.5 million customers.

This role is ideal for a motivated and collaborative student with a CPA background, strong organizational skills, and high attention to detail. 

RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Support the reporting and management of Enterprise Governance initiatives, tracking of project progress, and ensuring the timely completion of tasks.
  • Help identify training needs across the organization’s risk community and assist in the collation of materials for Senior Leadership Team (SLT) meetings and risk committees.
  • Conduct research and assist with small-scale Enterprise Governance initiatives, ensuring high-quality outcomes.
  • Provide administrative support as needed to contribute to the successful execution of the annual Enterprise Governance strategic plan.
  • Assist with Enterprise governance activities such as facilitating meetings and the tracking of actions through all phases, from initiation to completion.
  • Support the development and testing of Enterprise Governance controls.
  • Monitor and report on the organization’s risk and control metrics.
  • Collaborate with business teams to ensure compliance with policies.
  • Ad hoc requests as needed to support the success of the team.

QUALIFICATIONS

  • Postgraduate-level (Master’s or higher) student from the University of Waterloo, University of Toronto, York University or Western University.
  • Pursuing a postgraduate degree in Business Administration, Information Technology, Risk Management, or a related field. 
  • CPA background highly preferred.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint; knowledge of IT tools or project management software is an asset.
  • Excellent interpersonal, communication, influencing, and collaboration skills.
  • Strong organization skills.
  • Ability to manage multiple deliverables in a fast-paced and evolving organization.
  • Attention to detail and strong problem-solving skills in relation to data analysis and reporting.
  • Strong presentations skills with the ability to create slides that effectively communicate key messages.

APPLICATION INFORMATION
To apply for this position, please submit the below information
to info@therisc.ca with the subject “Fall 2025 Internship – Enterprise Governance
Intern”:
• Your latest resume;
• Academic transcripts;
• Cover letter addressing the “Qualifications” section above (2 pages max.);
• Names and contact details of 2 references, who have directly supervised your
work. Reference letters will not be accepted.

Apply By
September 16, 2025
Start Date
October 1, 2025
Duration
4 months, with possibility of extension
Compensation
Paid

YOUR ROLE

We are seeking a Fall 2025 intern for the role of Software Engineer at our partner organization. 

You will be interning at a leading property and casualty insurance group in Canada, providing home, automobile, lifestyle, and business insurance to over 2.5 million customers. This role is ideal for a motivated student with foundational programming skills (Java/Python), strong problem-solving abilities, and an interest in building real-world technical experience.

RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Software Development & Maintenance: Assist in developing, testing, and maintaining software applications to ensure high-quality performance and reliability.
  • Collaboration: Work closely with senior engineers on various projects, contributing innovative ideas and solutions.
  • Code Reviews & Team Meetings: Actively participate in code reviews and team meetings, providing constructive feedback and insights.
  • Troubleshooting & Debugging: Identify, troubleshoot, and debug software issues to enhance system functionality and user experience.
  • Monitoring & Observability: Build and maintain monitoring and observability dashboards to track system performance and detect anomalies.
  • Requirements Gathering: Assist in gathering and analyzing requirements to ensure solutions meet business needs.
  • Design & Documentation: Contribute to the design, documentation, and visual flows of software solutions, ensuring clarity and comprehensibility.
  • Digital Integrations & Automation: Work on digital integrations and robotics process automation (RPA) projects to streamline operations and improve efficiency. 

QUALIFICATIONS

  • Postgraduate-level (Master’s or higher) student enrolled at the University of Waterloo, University of Toronto, York University or Western University.
  • Currently pursuing a postgraduate degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering or a related field.
  • Programming Proficiency: Basic knowledge of programming languages such as Java and/or Python.
  • Problem-Solving: Strong problem-solving skills and attention to detail, with the ability to think critically and creatively.
  • Communication & Teamwork: Excellent communication and teamwork abilities, with a collaborative mindset.
  • Technical Skills: Familiarity with building monitoring/observability dashboards, JIRA/ ADO Story Boards, requirements gathering, design, documentation, visual flows with Miro, testing capabilities using Postman.

APPLICATION INFORMATION

To apply for this position, please submit the below information to info@therisc.ca with the subject “Fall 2025 Internship – Software Engineer Intern”:

• Your latest resume;

• Academic transcripts;

• Cover letter addressing the “Qualifications” section above (2 pages max.);

• Names and contact details of 2 references, who have directly supervised your work. Reference letters will not be accepted.

Apply By
August 14, 2025
Start Date
October 1, 2025
Duration
4 months, with possibility of extension
Compensation
Paid

YOUR ROLE

We are seeking a Fall 2025  intern for the role of AI Developer Intern at our partner organization, a leading Canadian-based financial services firm.

You will be interning at a leading Canadian-based insurance and financial services company with operations in North America and Europe. Known for its commitment to financial security and resilience, the company  is seeking a motivated student eager to learn and build a career in the 

field of Artificial Intelligence (AI). This role involves designing, testing, and deploying  AI Agents to streamline key processes within the Model Risk Management (MRM) function. Under the supervision of the Advanced Analytics & Automation (AAA) team, the ideal candidate will gain hands-on experience in AI-driven automation and AI Agent development. 

RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Design, test, and deploy Microsoft Copilot-based AI Agents to automate key Model Risk Management (MRM) processes.
  • Develop solutions to streamline tasks such as model validation report writing, engagement letter generation, and documentation quality checks.
  • Collaborate with the Advanced Analytics & Automation (AAA) team to enhance and improve MRM workflows.
  • Conduct analyses to evaluate the effectiveness and accuracy of AI Agents and automation tools.
  • Document findings, write up results, and communicate insights effectively to team members and stakeholders.
  • Support the delivery of a Proof of Value demonstrating the impact of AI Agents in Enterprise Risk Management

QUALIFICATIONS

  • Currently enrolled postgraduate-level student at University of Waterloo, University of Toronto, York University, or Western University.
  • Currently enrolled in a Master’s degree or higher in Data Science, Artificial Intelligence, Computer Science, or a related field.
  • Strong technical skills and experience with AI technologies, automation tools, or agent-based solutions.
  • Proficiency in data analytics and understanding of machine learning concepts.
  • Excellent problem-solving and analytical abilities.
  • Effective oral and written communication skills.
  • Self-motivated and eager to learn new technologies and approaches.
  • Well-developed organizational and time management skills with the ability to handle multiple tasks and shifting priorities.

APPLICATION INFORMATION

To apply for this position, please submit the below information to info@therisc.ca :

• Your latest resume; • Official transcripts (if applicable);

• Cover letter addressing the “Qualifications” section above (2 pages max.);

• Names and contact details of 2 references, who have directly supervised your work. Reference letters will not be accepted.

Apply By
July 13, 2025
Start Date
September 1, 2025
Duration
4 months
Compensation
Paid

YOUR ROLE

We are seeking a Fall 2025  intern for the role of Climate Risk Analyst Intern at our partner organization, a leading Canadian-based financial services firm.

You will be interning at a leading Canadian-based insurance and financial services company with operations in North America and Europe. Known for its commitment to financial security and resilience, the company is seeking a motivated student eager to build a career in climate risk analysis. In this role, you will support the development and application of climate-related scenario analysis, working with large datasets and applying strong quantitative and analytical skills to translate complex climate risk analyses into actionable insights that strengthen the organization’s long-term financial stability.

RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Support the development and execution of climate-related scenario analyses to assess transition and physical risks.
  • Analyze large datasets to identify key risk drivers and trends impacting financial resilience.
  • Translate complex climate risk analysis into clear, actionable insights for internal stakeholders.
  • Communicate findings effectively through reports, presentations, and visualizations.
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams to integrate climate risk considerations into business decision-making.
  • Stay current on emerging climate risk methodologies, data sources, and regulatory expectations.

QUALIFICATIONS

  • Currently enrolled postgraduate-level student at the University of Waterloo, University of Toronto, York University, or Western University.
  • Currently pursuing a Master’s degree or higher in Climate Science, Environmental Studies, Sustainability, Data Science, Economics, or a related field.
  • Strong quantitative and analytical skills, particularly in data analysis and scenario modeling.
  • Demonstrated interest in climate risk, sustainability, or ESG topics.
  • Proficient in working with large datasets and statistical tools.
  • Self-motivated with a willingness to learn and adapt in a fast-paced environment.
  • Well-developed organizational and time management skills with the ability to handle multiple tasks and shifting priorities.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

APPLICATION INFORMATION

To apply for this position, please submit the below information to info@therisc.ca :

• Your latest resume; • Official transcripts;

• Cover letter addressing the “Qualifications” section above (2 pages max.);

• Names and contact details of 2 references, who have directly supervised your work. Reference letters will not be accepted. The deadline for to apply for this role is July 13, 2025.

Apply By
July 13, 2025
Start Date
September 1, 2025
Duration
4 months, with possibility of extension
Compensation
Paid

YOUR ROLE

We are seeking a Fall 2025  intern for the role of Data Analyst Intern at our partner organization, a leading Canadian-based financial services firm.

You will be interning at a leading Canadian-based insurance and financial services company with operations in North America and Europe. Known for its commitment to financial security and resilience, the company is seeking a motivated student eager to learn and build a career in data 

analytics and database design. This role involves supporting the Non-Financial Risk Management (NFRM) team in transitioning data gathering processes from Microsoft Excel to the MSI GRC (Governance, Risk, and Compliance) global platforms and enhancing the overall NFRM reporting through Power BI.

RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Support the design, development, and testing of data gathering and reporting processes within the MSI GRC global platforms.
  • Assist in migrating NFRM data from Excel-based processes to centralized database solutions.
  • Build and enhance Power BI dashboards and reports to improve NFRM metrics reporting.
  • Analyze large datasets to generate insights and validate data integrity and consistency.
  • Document findings and communicate results clearly to team members and stakeholders.
  • Collaborate with the NFRM team to gather requirements and ensure deliverables meet business needs.

QUALIFICATIONS

  • Currently enrolled postgraduate-level student at University of Waterloo, University of Toronto, York University, or Western University.
  • Currently enrolled in a Master’s degree or higher in Data Science, Statistics, Computer Science, Business Analytics, or a related field.
  • Strong technical skills in data analysis, database design, and Power BI.
  • Excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities.
  • Effective oral and written communication skills.
  • Ability to work independently and in a team environment.
  • Well-developed organizational and time management skills with the ability to manage multiple tasks and shifting priorities.
  • Proficiency with MS Excel and familiarity with data visualization best practices.

APPLICATION INFORMATION

To apply for this position, please submit the below information to info@therisc.ca :

• Your latest resume;

• Official transcripts (if applicable);

• Cover letter addressing the “Qualifications” section above (2 pages max.);

• Names and contact details of 2 references, who have directly supervised your work. Reference letters will not be accepted. The deadline for to apply for this role is July 13, 2025.

Apply By
July 13, 2025
Start Date
September 1, 2025
Duration
4 months, with possibility of extension
Compensation
Paid

The RISC and Insurance Studies Centre is seeking applicants for Two Postdoctoral Research Fellowship positions funded by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) Alliance-Mitacs Accelerate grant entitled “New Order of Risk Management: Theory and applications in the era of systemic risk” or succinctly NORM. Both positions involve research that focuses on, but is not limited to, the theory, management, financing, governance, and regulation of systemic risks.

The NORM research program seeks to lead a paradigm shift in the thinking, best practices, and regulation around systemic risk, a notion that is endemic to recent socioeconomic, demographic, technological, and environmental changes. NORM entails the development of novel theories, operational tools, and regulatory mechanisms that address the ever-increasing systemic nature of risks nowadays and account for unequal susceptibility to systemic risk, pursue equity, and build resilience. The successful candidates will work with one or more of the NORM program research team members:

  • Jingyi Cao (Actuarial Science, York University)
  • Ida Ferrara (Economics, York University)
  • Edward Furman (Actuarial Science, York University)
  • Harry Joe (Statistics, University of British Columbia)
  • Sheldon Lin (Actuarial Science, University of Toronto)
  • Dirk Matten (Business, York University)
  • Silvana Pesenti (Quantitative Risk Management, University of Toronto)
  • Shayna Rosenbaum (Psychology, York University)
  • Fan Yang (Actuarial Science, University of Waterloo)
  • Ricardas Zitikis (Statistics, Western University) 

Qualifications

  • Completed PhD in Actuarial Science, Behavioral Science, Business, Data Science, Economics, Finance, Quantitative Risk Management, Statistics; other backgrounds will be considered.
  • Interest in topics related to systemic risks.
  • Readiness to collaborate across disciplines. 

Salary and Term

  • Salary: $57,000 annually, including benefits (can be higher depending on qualifications)
  • Term: one year, but renewable for an additional year
  • Preferred Start Date: September 1st, 2023 (flexible)

Benefits

  • Dissemination opportunities in publication venues.
  • Possibility to work on own independent side-projects and ideas.
  • Possibility to supervise graduate and undergraduate students.
  • (Optional) Possibility to teach for additional compensation.
  • Opportunity to establish connections within industry and academia in Canada and globally. 

How to Apply

Interested applicants should submit the following to hiring@therisc.ca:

  • Curriculum Vitae.
  • Cover Letter (two-page max) describing:
    • the candidate’s research to date;
    • why the candidate is a good for the position;
    • the candidate’s long-term research plans as they relate to the objectives and scope of NORM.
  • The names and contact information of three referees familiar with the candidate’s research ability.
  • A representative paper.

We will start reviewing applications on June 1st, 2023, and we will continue accepting and reviewing applications until both positions are filled. Only considered applicants will be contacted.

We encourage applications from candidates who have been historically disadvantaged and marginalized, including applicants who self-identify as women, members of racialized groups, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, and 2SLGBTQ+.

For further information, please contact hiring@therisc.ca.

Apply By
August 18, 2023
Start Date
September 1, 2023
Duration
One year, renewable for up to two years
Compensation
$57,000 per year (CDN), including benefits (can be higher depending on qualifications)

Post an Opportunity

RISC connects organizations with a talented and diverse pool of students and emerging professionals from universities across Canada and beyond. Whether you seek a number-cruncher actuary or a charismatic risk management leader, we help bridge education and opportunity to strengthen capacity and advance public good.

Position Details