Job Description
Graduate Trainee - Fundamental Ratings & Research

Summary

The future of credit analysis starts with you

Start Date: October 2026
Location: Frankfurt am Main, Germany
Duration: 12 months

Join Scope’s Graduate Programme

Our Graduate Programme offers high-potential graduates a unique opportunity to build a career within Europe’s leading credit rating agency. Our 12-month Graduate Programme offers high-potential graduates a unique opportunity to build a career within Europe’s leading credit rating agency and develop into a future credit analyst within Scope's Fundamental Ratings & Research business. You will gain hands-on experience across analytical teams such as Corporate Ratings, Financial Institutions and Sovereign & Public Sector Ratings while building expertise in credit analysis, rating methodologies and research production and rating committee processes.

Choose growth, choose Scope!

The European rating agency: Join a purpose-driven, multicultural organisation committed to “upgrading the rating industry”.

Small cohort, big impact: Be part of a group of ambitious graduates taking on responsibilities early, work closely with experienced colleagues and gain exposure to real rating and research activities.

Hands-on learning from day one: Contribute to analytical work, support credit assessments and gain exposure to rating committee processes.

Structured development: Alongside practical experience, you will benefit from internal workshops including technical training, workshops and cross-functional learning opportunities to sharpen your skills.
Build your career at Scope: Successful graduates continue their professional development within Scope and take the next step in their careers.
A culture that drives growth: Thrive in a collaborative, international environment which nurtures curiosity and ambition. 

Duties & responsibilities

Throughout the programme, you will:

  • Join a dedicated analytical home team: Build your expertise within one of our Fundamental Ratings & Research teams (Corporate Ratings, Financial Institutions, or Sovereign & Public Sector), gaining hands-on experience in credit analysis and rating methodologies.
  • Contribute to rating and research projects: Work alongside experienced analysts on rating assignments, research publications, rating committee preparations and cross-sector initiatives, supporting the assessment of a broad range of issuers and industries.
  • Develop analytical and communication skills: Learn how credit opinions are formed, supported by qualitative and quantitative data analysis, documented and communicated through rating reports, research publications and presentations.
  • Gain exposure beyond your core team: Collaborate with colleagues across analytical and related functions to broaden your understanding of the rating process and the wider business.
  • Participate in structured training and workshops: Develop technical and professional skills in rating methodologies, credit analysis, report writing, governance, regulation and other topics relevant to the rating industry.
  • AI adoption & technology shift: Support AI adoption within the organisation and help implement the technology shift at the heart of the rating agency’s analytical process.

Professional & personal qualifications

  • Master's degree (completed or near completion) in Finance, Economics, Business Administration, Accounting, Political Economy or a related field
  • Strong interest in credit markets, macroeconomic developments and financial analysis
  • Strong analytical thinking, the ability to work independently, and a solution-driven mindset
  • Eagerness to learn and thrive in a stimulating, high-performance environment
  • Excellent English skills (our working language); additional European languages are an advantage
  • Prior internships in banking, consulting, research, rating agencies or related fields are a plus

Compensation: EUR 50,400
Benefits: Scope offers an extensive range of benefits, please check our benefits page for more details.

Interested?
If this sounds like a journey for you, please contact f.klinke@scopegroup.com to receive additional information. We look forward to learning more from your convincing application. Please note: For non-EU applicants, a valid work and residence permit is a prerequisite for this job position. Unfortunately, we are unable to sponsor relocation from outside of the EU at this time.

What we want to see

  • Current English CV (Mandatory)
  • Motivational Letter (Mandatory)
  • Copy of your university degrees and certificates
  • Criminal record certificate (can be provided at a later date)

About Scope Ratings 
Scope Ratings GmbH is part of the Scope Group with headquarters in Berlin and offices in Frankfurt, London, Madrid, Milan, Oslo and Paris. As the leading European credit rating agency, the company specialises in the analysis and ratings of financial institutions, corporates, structured finance, project finance and public finance. Scope Ratings’ credit risk analysis is opinion-driven, forward-looking and non-mechanistic, an approach that adds to a greater diversity of opinion for institutional investors. Scope Ratings is a credit rating agency registered in accordance with the EU rating regulation and operating in the European Union with ECAI status.

At Scope Group, we are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone is treated with respect and fairness. We embrace people from all backgrounds, regardless of culture, ethnicity and gender. We ensure that our application processes are free from discrimination. By valuing each individual's unique background and perspectives, we strive to create an environment where all employees can thrive and contribute their best. Our dedication to equality and inclusivity reflects our belief that diversity drives innovation and success.