<p>Hello Everybody,</p>
<p>I am completing a PhD in Operations Research at a top US university but my dream has always be to get a Finance tenure track position in a Business School.
Do you think it is a good idea to ask for a PhD transfer?</p>
<p>Thanks in advance.</p>
<p>Best,</p>
<p>I don’t know if it’s a good idea, but I can say that it will be very tough to get a transfer approved.</p>
<p>What? No. That’s just not really possible. You’d have to drop out and re-apply… but make sure you aren’t burning any bridges…</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>I think a far better way is to simply do research that bridges operations research and finance and try to publish in finance journals, or at least try to present at finance conferences. You may also try to install a finance prof on your committee, or even have that person as your co-chair (or even your single chair if your program allows). Then you can go on the finance academic job market. </p>
<p>Take Richard Lai of Wharton. He graduated from Harvard Business School’s Technology & Operations Management department, which is Harvard’s fancy term for operations research. His research was regarding the intersection of operations and finance, namely the effect of inventory levels and operational expertise on investor financial signals and the fiscal year. </p>
<p>[Richard</a> Lai - The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania](<a href=“http://opimweb.wharton.upenn.edu/people/faculty.cfm?id=179#cr]Richard”>http://opimweb.wharton.upenn.edu/people/faculty.cfm?id=179#cr)</p>
<p>[SSRN-Is</a> Inventory’s Fiscal Year End Effect Caused by Sales Timing? A Test Using a Natural Experiment from Germany by Richard Lai](<a href=“http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=1016892]SSRN-Is”>http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=1016892)</p>
<p>[SSRN-Inventory</a> Signals by Richard Lai](<a href=“http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=723381]SSRN-Inventory”>http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=723381)</p>
<p>Another, related way is to place in a general management or operations research department, but then start conducting finance research. You then may be able to make a lateral shift.</p>
<p>Thank you very much for all your replies.
I think the option of conducting research that bridges operations research and finance is good. Dropping out is also an option but when I imagine myself going again through the whole admission process, I am kind of discouraged.
Thanks,</p>
<p>Best</p>