Independent Quantitative Analyst

Smartkarma; England; On-site; GBP 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Smartkarma in the United Kingdom seeks an Independent Quantitative Analyst to join our research team. The role focuses on developing systematic strategies across equities, derivatives and multi-asset instruments, backed by rigorous backtesting and robust validation.

You will generate actionable ideas from statistically validated signals, build proprietary datasets and models, and communicate insights to institutional clients with clarity and defensible reasoning.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in quantitative research for institutional clients (8 yrs+).
• Proven ability to build and backtest quantitative models and datasets.
• Strong written communication to defend research insights for professional investors.

Responsibilities

• Develop systematic strategies across equities, derivatives and multi-asset instruments with robust backtesting and validation.
• Produce actionable trade ideas based on validated signals and market intuition.
• Create and maintain proprietary datasets, maps, signals, and production pipelines for edge.
• Provide high-touch research discussions and insights to selected institutional clients.

Skills

Quantitative research

Statistical modelling

Data engineering

Job description

Independent Quantitative Analyst SmartkarmaLondon, England, United Kingdom

Job Description

In general, looking for former/current systematic traders and quant researchers / analysts:

Experts in systematic strategies across equities, equity derivatives and multi-asset (index and single-name listed and OTC options, futures, etc);

Strong research hygiene: signal research, feature engineering, robust backtesting across horizons, realistic frictions and clear validation;

Ability to combine market intuition with statistical learning to create and maintain differentiated proprietary datasets and models (unique data collection, cleaning, normalisation, mapping, signal construction and production pipelines) that are hard to replicate and deliver repeatable edge;

Strong writing and communication skills: able to articulate and defend research views clearly in published insights and in discussions with institutional clients;

Example of deliverables

• Actionable trade and investment ideas based on statistically validated signals and market intuition;
• Factor, risk premia and alpha research;
• Event-driven and catalyst frameworks (earnings, guidance, corporate actions, index changes, macro prints) with empirical edge and playbooks;
• Cross-asset linkages and regime work (risk-on/off, inflation, rates sensitivity, liquidity, positioning and flows);

You will also be expected to offer a high-touch service for select institutional clients

Qualifications

• Extensive research, trading or investment experience for institutional clients (8 yrs+);
• Demonstrated quantitative track record and evidence of proprietary work (datasets, models, tooling, strategy research);
• Ability to write differentiated insights for professional investors (structured, concise, defensible).

Additional Information

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

Full-time