Research Associate/Vice President

Bank of America; City Of London; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading global financial institution in London is seeking a quantitative researcher for the Global Equity Derivatives and Cross-asset QIS Research team. The successful candidate will develop and publish innovative systematic strategies while engaging with clients and internal teams. The role requires strong analytical skills, programming proficiency, and a keen interest in quantitative finance. This opportunity promises a supportive and dynamic work environment.

Qualifications

• Prior experience of developing and back-testing quantitative investment strategies in Equities, including Equity Derivatives.
• Strong academic background in quantitative finance, financial engineering or applied mathematics.
• Advanced proficiency in quantitative analysis and statistics.

Responsibilities

• Back-testing of systematic strategies and quantifying performance drivers.
• Developing new strategies and formulating views on risk premia.
• Contributing to derivatives/quantitative research published by the team.

Skills

Quantitative analysis

Programming in Python

Time series analysis

Machine learning application

Effective written communication

Presentation skills

Attention to detail

Education

Advanced Masters degree in quantitative finance or related fields

Tools

Python

SQL

MS Excel

Job description

Company Overview

At Bank of America, we are guided by a common purpose to help make financial lives better through the power of every connection. Responsible Growth is how we run our company and how we deliver for our clients, teammates, communities and shareholders every day.

One of the keys to driving Responsible Growth is being a great place to work for our teammates around the world. We're devoted to being a diverse and inclusive workplace for everyone. We hire individuals with a broad range of backgrounds and experiences and invest heavily in our teammates and their families by offering competitive benefits to support their physical, emotional, and financial well-being.

Bank of America believes both in the importance of working together and offering flexibility to our employees. We use a multi-faceted approach for flexibility, depending on the various roles in our organization.

Working at Bank of America will give you a great career with opportunities to learn, grow and make an impact, along with the power to make a difference. Join us!

Location Overview

Our London office is based just a stone's throw from the magnificent St. Paul’s Cathedral on bustling King Edward Street. Here you'll find modern workspaces and a state-of-the-art auditorium space. In addition, we're proud to host an onsite restaurant that shares our commitment to sustainability by providing delicious seasonal menus which have been created with the planet in mind. Make sure to take time for yourself and head up to our rooftop terrace and take in the spectacular views across London. Finally, your physical wellness is well-catered for with our onsite gym facilities and medical centre.

The Team

The Global Equity Derivatives and Quant Investment Strategies (QIS) Research team at Bank of America is consistently top-ranked (in Extel/II surveys), with 15+ analysts spread across locations around the world: London, Paris, Madrid, Dubai, Hong Kong, New York and San Francisco. The team has a broad scope to take views on and publish derivatives content across asset classes, including on systematic strategies for alpha generation or hedging, and portfolio construction. Members routinely engage with global institutional clients, helping BofA establish thought leadership in derivatives and cross-asset quantitative strategies.

Role Description

A unique London-based, client-facing role in the Global Equity Derivatives and Cross-asset QIS Research team within Global Research at BofA.

The successful candidate will help develop and publish leading-edge, quantitatively-driven, systematic strategies for alpha generation and hedging, as well as help develop portfolio overlay solutions across equities and derivatives.

The role also involves internal engagement with structuring, sales and trading teams, as well as external exposure to global institutional clients.

We will consider candidates at a range of levels from Analyst to Vice President depending on the relevance of their experience and ability.

Responsibilities

The successful candidate will undertake back-testing of systematic strategies, quantify performance drivers and structural dislocations that lead to trading opportunities in equity derivatives, under real world constraints (e.g., liquidity criteria, transaction costs, rebalancing thresholds, etc). Their work shall enable the development of new strategies as well as the formulation and communication of forward-looking views on risk premia and existing strategies. Apart from strategy development, the successful candidate will contribute to wide-ranging derivatives/quantitative research published by the broader team.

Skills and Qualifications

• Prior experience of developing and back-testing quantitative investment strategies in Equities, including Equity Derivatives in a financial institution.
• Strong academic background in quantitative finance, financial engineering or applied mathematics (e.g. Advanced Masters degree).
• Advanced proficiency in quantitative analysis and statistics including time series and big/complex, high frequency datasets.
• Exposure/experience in applying machine learning or AI tools, natural language processing or advanced information theory.
• Strong programming skills, preferably in Python, exposure to SQL and proficiency in MS Excel.
• Fluency in English is essential and a second European language may be advantageous.
• Effective written and presentation skills - a key asset for a quant researcher is not only to write but also to explain complex concepts in simple terms and with powerful visuals.
• Candidates should have a keen eye for detail. Accuracy, consistency and intuition to back-up mathematical rigour is crucial in this fast-paced environment.
• Candidates must show a long-term interest in the field of quantitative finance and demonstrate achievements towards their pursuit of a career in this field.