Graduate Quantitative Researcher (2027 Incoming Graduate, Full-Time)
The Graduate Quantitative Researcher at Confidential Client will focus on optimizing and expanding trading strategies by researching and testing alphas and enhancing production trading systems. This role offers the opportunity to work on impactful projects within an experienced team at the firm's Chicago headquarters, leveraging strong quantitative and programming skills to drive trading efficiency and innovation.
About Careertakes
👉 Important disclosure: Careertakes is a third-party recruiting platform supporting this hiring process. If selected, you will be employed directly by our client, Graduate.
Applicants for this role may also receive access to additional matched opportunities through the Careertakes platform.
Role Overview
Confidential Client, a proprietary trading organization, seeks a Graduate Quantitative Researcher (2027 incoming graduate) to join its Chicago, IL headquarters. This full-time role is ideal for a technically strong, motivated 2027 graduate who wants to contribute to strategy research, alpha development, and production trading systems within a collaborative quant trading team.
What You’ll Do
- Work with the research team to optimize existing strategy components and identify new trading opportunities
- Research, test, and validate alphas to improve trading signals and overall strategy performance
- Enhance and maintain production trading systems; rewrite and harden existing trades and signals
- Collaborate across quant, engineering, and trading teams to bring research into production
- Analyze data, run experiments, and translate findings into actionable improvements
Qualifications
- Graduating in 2027 (by August 2027) with a bachelor’s, master’s, or PhD in a STEM field (Mathematics, Statistics, Physics, Computer Science, Data Science, or similar)
- 1+ industry internships or relevant hands-on experience as a quantitative researcher, developer, or trader
- Proficiency with Python and C++; experience with machine learning tools and libraries
- Strong problem-solving, prioritization, and multi-tasking skills
- Good communication and teamwork skills; ability to deliver high-impact work in a fast-paced environment
- Authorized to work in the United States (required)
Preferred (not required):
- Experience working with production trading systems or low-latency codebases
- Background in statistics, time-series analysis, or applied ML for finance
Compensation & Benefits
- Expected base salary range: $125,000 to $200,000 (depending on experience and qualifications)
- Performance-based bonus program
- Comprehensive health benefits and 401(k) plan
- Commuter and wellness reimbursements
- Learning and development support
- Casual dress code, team events, weekly lunches, and stocked kitchen/amenities at the Chicago office
Location & Employment Type
- Work location: Chicago, IL (onsite at headquarters)
- Employment type: Full-time
- Start: Incoming 2027 graduates (must be graduating by August 2027)
Recruitment Note
Careertakes is representing this opportunity on behalf of our client. Please note that this posting is for direct applicants; any third-party submissions will be handled according to the client’s vendor policy.
Equal Opportunity & Hiring Transparency
Careertakes and our client are Equal Opportunity Employers committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce. We prohibit discrimination or harassment of any kind. To support a fair and efficient hiring process, AI tools may be used to assist with application review or resume screening. These tools do not replace human decision-making. Final hiring decisions are made by people.
If you have questions about how your data is used, please contact us directly.
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