Associate, Quantitative Researcher - Systematic Active Equity

Aplaro Ltd; City Of London; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Retirement investment

Education reimbursement

Health & well-being

Family support

Job summary

BlackRock Systematic in London seeks an Associate, Quantitative Researcher to shape alpha by conducting research across financial markets, machine learning, data science, and economics. You will work with experienced researchers and PMs across the full research lifecycle, from idea generation to live strategy deployment and performance evaluation.

The role emphasizes solving difficult problems with large datasets, debating methodologies, and translating ideas into scalable investment strategies

Qualifications

• Researchers excited by solving difficult problems and exploring large datasets.
• Interest in machine learning, data science and economics as applied to finance.

Responsibilities

• Discover and develop novel alpha sources using traditional and alternative data.
• Apply statistical, econometric, and ML techniques to identify investment opportunities.
• Conduct empirical research, backtesting, and performance evaluation of strategies.
• Build scalable research pipelines and analytical tools.
• Collaborate with researchers, portfolio managers and engineers to implement ideas in live strategies.
• Present findings and contribute to investment process evolution.

Job description

About this role

We are looking for an Associate, Quantitative Researcher to join our Systematic Active Equity team in London. You will help shape the next generation of alpha by conducting cutting-edge research across financial markets, machine learning, artificial intelligence, data science and economics. Innovation is at the heart of our investment process. Working alongside experienced quantitative researchers and portfolio managers, you will discover and develop novel sources of alpha, analyse large and complex datasets, and translate innovative research into live investment strategies managing significant institutional capital. Your work will span the full research lifecycle – from idea generation and hypothesis testing through to implementation and performance evaluation – with the opportunity to directly influence investment decisions across one of the industry's leading systematic investment platforms. This is an exceptional opportunity for intellectually curious researchers who enjoy solving difficult problems, challenging conventional thinking, combining scientific methods with investment insight, and seeing their ideas deployed in live portfolios with real-world impact.

About BlackRock Systematic

BlackRock is one of the world's leading asset managers, helping institutions, financial professionals and individuals navigate increasingly complex global markets. Within BlackRock Systematic (BSYS) , finance meets technology, markets meet data science, and investment ideas are transformed into scalable, systematic strategies. With research hubs across London, New York and San Francisco, we bring together experts in investing, statistics, computer science, engineering and artificial intelligence to tackle some of the most challenging problems in quantitative investing. As part of BSYS, Systematic Active Equity (SAE) manages more than $350 billion across hedge funds, long-only strategies and outcome-oriented investment solutions . For more than 40 years, SAE has been a pioneer in quantitative investing, delivering innovative investment solutions to pension funds, sovereign wealth funds, central banks and other institutional investors worldwide. Our success is built on a culture of continuous innovation, rigorous scientific research and collaboration. We believe the next generation of alpha will be discovered through data, technology and creative thinking. Researchers are encouraged to challenge established approaches, experiment with new ideas , and explore emerging machine learning and AI techniques where they can enhance the investment process and create value for clients. Our open and collaborative environment provides exceptional opportunities to learn from experienced investors, develop your research capabilities and make a meaningful impact from day one.

What You'll Do

• Discover and develop novel sources of alpha using traditional and alternative datasets.
• Apply statistical, econometric, machine learning and AI techniques to identify new investment opportunities.
• Explore emerging machine learning and AI methodologies, evaluating and applying innovative techniques that can improve the investment process.
• Conduct rigorous empirical research, simulation and backtesting to validate investment hypotheses.
• Build robust research pipelines and scalable analytical tools to accelerate research and production deployment.
• Partner with researchers, portfolio managers and engineers to implement successful ideas into live investment strategies.
• Continuously challenge existing approaches, drive innovation across the research platform and contribu te new ideas that enhance investment performance.
• Present research findings and contribu te to the evolution of our investment process.

Who We're Looking For

We're looking for researchers who are excited by solving difficult problems, experimenting with large and complex datasets, and pushing the boundaries of systematic investing. Beyond strong technical skills, you bring investment curiosity and financial intuition – thinking critically about why an alpha idea should work, the economic or behavioural mechanisms that underpin it, and the conditions under which it is likely to persist. You enjoy working in collaborative teams where ideas are openly shared, debated and tested. You're naturally curious, motivated by innovation, and excited to explore new technologies and research methodologies that can improve investment outcomes. This role offers an outstanding opportunity to develop your research skills, broaden your investment expertise and make a meaningful contribu tion to one of the industry's leading systematic investment platforms.

Our benefits

• retirement investment and tools designed to help you in building a sound financial future
• access to education reimbursement
• comprehensive resources to support your physical health and emotional well-being
• family support pr