Systematic Quantitative Researcher

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. We are seeking a Quantitative Researcher to partner with Trading and Technology to strengthen, scale, and evolve the firm's trading capabilities within one of the quant research teams. As a Quantitative Researcher, you will be embedded on a research desk, working close to the tip of the spear in a dynamic environment. This includes 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 the Quant team at CTC!

What You’ll Do 

• 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

What We’re Looking For

We seek a candidate who can seamlessly blend academic rigor with practical application in a fast-paced trading environment. The ideal individual will possess a unique combination of analytical prowess, attention to details, programming skills, and eye for business, driving innovation and results in quantitative finance.

Qualifications:

• PhD in Science or Engineering fields (e.g. Statistics, Mathematics, Applied Mathematics, or Operations Research) strongly preferred
• 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.
• Expert in Python 
• Experience in financial markets, not required. 
• Ability to be based in Chicago
• Ability to start work in 2025

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.