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, Accounting & Finance.

Applicants for this role may also receive access to additional matched opportunities through the Careertakes platform.

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About the Role

Confidential Client is hiring a Junior Fixed Income Relative Value Trader to support a high-performing fixed-income relative-value trading desk in Chicago, IL. This is a fast-paced, hands-on role that provides early exposure to portfolio construction, trade execution, quantitative research, and trading technology. The position is full-time and will require in-office work in Chicago for at least the initial 18 months.

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What You’ll Do

• Work directly with the head of the fixed-income relative-value desk on live positions, execution, and risk management.
• Monitor fixed-income markets, relative-value relationships, and portfolio exposures to identify trading opportunities.
• Build and improve analytical tools, data pipelines, dashboards, and automated workflows that support trading decisions.
• Research and back-test new strategies using market data and quantitative methods.
• Investigate pricing discrepancies and explain drivers of market and portfolio performance.
• Execute trades accurately under pressure and follow through on operational details.
• Take increasing trading and risk-taking responsibility as you learn the desk’s investment process.

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Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in economics, mathematics, statistics, physics, computer science, engineering, or another rigorous quantitative discipline.
• Strong quantitative reasoning and the ability to think clearly under pressure.
• Genuine interest in markets, fixed-income products, relative value trading, technology, and risk management.
• Ability to learn unfamiliar concepts quickly and translate them into practical work.
• Exceptional attention to detail — small mistakes matter in trading.
• Strong ownership instincts; you identify problems and solve them proactively.
• Resilience to handle direct feedback, high standards, and periods of intense work.
• Willingness and ability to work full-time from the Chicago, IL office for at least the first 18 months.
• Direct fixed-income experience or prior trading desk exposure is a plus but not required if you can demonstrate exceptional ability and intellectual curiosity.

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Career Trajectory

• This role is intended for candidates who want rapid responsibility and a steep learning curve — not a conventional entry-level finance path.
• You will start as an indispensable support to the desk head and, with demonstrated skill and judgment, gain autonomy to propose trades, build systems, and manage risk.
• Long-term progression includes developing your own strategies, establishing a track record, and potential advancement toward portfolio management.

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Benefits

• Discretionary performance bonus eligibility
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• HSA, FSA, and Dependent Care options
• Employer-paid group term life and AD&D insurance; voluntary LTD and additional life/AD&D options
• Flexible vacation policy
• Retirement plan with employer match

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Compensation

Competitive base salary plus discretionary performance bonus. (Salary estimate shown in source materials.)

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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.