Job Application for Systematic Quantitative Researcher at CTC Lateral

CTC is a cutting-edge proprietary trading firm with a long-term vision and a clear focus on helping the world price and manage risk. Our fun and trusting culture inspires us to solve the industry’s most challenging problems and take calculated risks in a collaborative environment.

We strive to be the most innovative firm in the industry today, tomorrow, and long into the future while upholding ethical excellence. We believe that CTC makes a positive impact on the markets, the lives of our employees, and all the communities to which we belong. Started in 1995 by a team of forward-thinking Traders, we are proud to call ourselves an industry leader that keeps making markets and each other better.

Quantitative research is a key driver of innovation at CTC and one of the pillars upon which our firm is built. As a Quantitative Researcher, you’ll operate near the tip of the spear in a collaborative, dynamic environment. This includes close partnership with other researchers, traders, and engineers on quantitative problem-solving, trading strategy generation, back-testing, statistical analysis, and system design. Our environment of collaborative innovation and intellectual curiosity allows us to share in our victories while continually challenging ourselves to stretch the limits of our creativity. Take advantage of this opportunity to apply the scientific method to business problems as part of one of our Quant teams at CTC!

We prioritize team matching at the outset of our hiring process, thoughtfully considering which of our two teams (Vol Overlay or Delta Force) offers the best fit for each candidate’s strengths and interests while also aligning to the firm’s highest priority needs.

What We’re Looking For  

We are seeking a Quantitative Researcher who can seamlessly blend academic rigor with practical application in our fast-paced trading environment. This individual will partner with our Trading and Technology teams to strengthen, scale, and evolve the firm's trading capabilities. The ideal candidate will possess a unique combination of analytical prowess, programming skills, and eye for business, driving innovation and results in quantitative finance.

Responsibilities

Analyze market data to come up with economic and microstructure hypotheses
Build predictive and explanatory models to describe financial markets
Add revenue by applying thorough research processes to real life business problems
Contribute to ongoing improvement of research and trading infrastructure

Qualifications

PhD in Science or Engineering fields (e.g. Statistics, Mathematics, Applied Mathematics, or Operations Research)
Proven ability to conduct independent, high-quality research
Exceptional ability to communicate complex ideas and research results, both in writing and verbally
Unwavering commitment to quality, coupled with a drive for delivering commercial outcomes.
Demonstrated expertise in applying quantitative modeling techniques to large, complex datasets
Strong track record of publications in an industry setting
Advanced Python programming skills

Nice to Have

Proficiency in C++ (specifically for the Delta Force opening)
Experience in financial markets
Experience using NumPy and Pandas libraries
Experience with the software development lifecycle

Compensation

Salary Range: $200,000 - $225,000, plus a discretionary bonus.
The discretionary bonus will be dependent upon the individual’s skills, experience, qualifications, and firm performance.

Most teams at CTC, with the exception of Trading, follow a hybrid workplace model, subject to change based on business need.

Our Benefits

We strongly believe in the well-being of our employees and their families so we offer outstanding benefits to support you both professionally and personally. These benefits include generous medical coverage, paid parental leave, free breakfast and lunch (plus healthy snacks, of course), wellness reimbursement, quarterly recharge days, and a variety of other benefits focused on providing the best employee experience.

(Disclaimer: interns and contractors are not eligible for benefits at CTC)

Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

At CTC, we aim to cultivate a workplace that celebrates diversity and each person feels included, engaged and empowered. Where each of us feels we belong. We are committed to having a diverse workforce and are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. CTC does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform crucial job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment.

If you have a disability and believe you need a reasonable accommodation in order to search for a job opening or to apply for a position, please contact us at info@chicagotrading.com. Note that emails sent to this email account for non-disability related issues, such as following up on an application, will not receive a response.

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Systematic Quantitative Researcher

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