2027 PhD Summer Intern – Quantitative Portfolio Management

PIMCO Europe Ltd.; Newport Beach (CA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

PIMCO, a global leader in fixed income investing, invites PhD candidates in quantitative fields for a 10-week Summer Intern in Newport Beach, CA. You will contribute to quantitative portfolio management, work on alpha research, and help deploy models across multiple asset classes.

The role emphasizes statistics, econometrics, and empirical research, with training and mentorship from senior leaders. Strong Python skills and curiosity about AI are preferred.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. candidate from a top program in quantitative fields such as Finance, Economics, Statistics, Computer Science, Operations Research, Physics, or Mathematics.
• Expected graduation from the Ph.D. program between Dec 2027 and June 2028.
• Business proficient in English.

Responsibilities

• Participate in development and management of systematic investment strategies across asset classes.
• Engage in alpha research, signal testing, portfolio construction, and deployment.
• Work on projects including transaction cost analysis and optimization.
• Gain hands-on experience with AI-powered tools and future-ready skills.

Skills

Quantitative disciplines

Asset pricing

Economic theory

Optimization methods

Python

Analytical skills

Communication skills

AI tools

Education

PhD candidate in quantitative fields

Tools

Python

Job description

About PIMCO

PIMCO is a global leader in active fixed income. With our launch in 1971 in Newport Beach, California, PIMCO introduced investors to a total return approach to fixed income investing. In the 50+ years since, we have worked relentlessly to help millions of investors pursue their objectives – regardless of shifting marketing conditions. As active investors, our goal is not just to find opportunities, but to create them. To this end, we remain firmly committed to the pursuit of our mission: delivering superior investment returns, solutions, and service to our clients. Since 1971, our people have shaped our organization through a high-performance inclusive culture, in which we celebrate diverse thinking. We invest in our people and strive to imprint our CORE values of Collaboration, Openness, Responsibility and Excellence. We believe each of us is here to help others succeed and this has led to PIMCO being recognized as an innovator, industry thought leader and trusted advisor to our clients.

Role Description

2027 PhD Summer Intern – Quantitative Portfolio Management Internship positions are located at PIMCO’s Newport Beach, CA Headquarters.

Eligibility Criteria

Ph.D. candidate from a top program in quantitative fields such as Finance, Economics, Statistics, Computer Science, Operations Research, Physics, or Mathematics.

Expected graduation from the Ph.D. program between Dec 2027 and June 2028.

Business proficient in English.

Quantitative Portfolio Management

The Quant PM team develops and manages systematic investment strategies spanning managed futures, alternative risk premia and quantitative alpha. Covering varied asset classes including Rates, FX, Equities, Commodities and Vol, Quant PMs are involved in the entire life cycle of the investment process: starting from idea generation, signal testing, portfolio construction, all the way through to deployment and portfolio management. Candidates can expect to work on projects which include alpha research on new signals, enhancement and extension of existing signals, transaction cost analysis, portfolio construction, and optimization.

Desired Candidates

• A strong interest and background in quantitative disciplines, with knowledge of asset pricing, economic theory, optimization methods, and fixed income markets preferred.
• Formal training in empirical research, particularly in statistics and econometrics, with experience in analyzing large unstructured real-world datasets preferred.
• Proficiency in programming, with a strong preference for Python.
• Excellent analytical and creative research skills with the ability to independently drive projects.
• Exceptional writing and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrate curiosity and experience in using new emerging technologies and AI tools in your work or school projects to solve problems and drive better outcomes.

Internship Experience

The PIMCO Internship is a 10-week program that runs from early June to mid-August, with the expectation that you will be available for the full duration of the program. During Week 1, you’ll participate in PIMCO Fundamentals Training, providing you with the skills, knowledge, and relationships that will prepare you for success. Alongside your colleagues, participate in PIMCO's Global Month of Volunteering, developed to heighten the impact of our employees' worldwide volunteer efforts. Join us for a variety of cross-divisional education, networking & social events! Your supervisor, peer mentor, senior leaders and team offer guidance and mentorship throughout the summer. You will gain hands-on experience with AI-powered tools from day one, with training and resources that help build future-ready skills and make an impact from the start. You’ll receive feedback at mid- and end-of-summer as part of a formal review process to keep you on the path to meeting your summer goals.

Compensation

Salary: $ 205,000.00

Equal Employment Opportunity and Affiliation

PIMCO recruits and hires qualified candidates without regard to race, national origin, ancestry, religion (including religious dress and grooming practices), sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender (including gender identity and expression), age, military or veteran status, disability (physical or mental), any factor prohibited by law, and as such affirms in policy and practice to support and promote the concept of equal employment opportunity and affirmative action, in accordance with all applicable federal, state, provincial and municipal laws. The company also prohibits discrimination on other basis such as medical condition, or marital status under applicable laws.

Applicants with Disabilities

PIMCO is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. We provide reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals with disabilities, including veterans, in job application procedures. If you have any difficulty using our online system due to a disability and you would like to request an accommodation, you may contact us at 949-720-7744 and leave a message. This is a dedicated line designed exclusively to assist job seekers with disabilities to apply online. Only messages left for this purpose will be considered. A response to your request may take up to two business days.

Company Culture

We believe that active management is the responsible way to invest our clients' assets in fixed income. For 50 years, we have worked relentlessly to help millions of investors pursue their objectives - regardless of shifting market conditions. Our clients rely on an investment process that has been tested in virtually every market environment. Bringing together our investment professionals from across the globe, PIMCO's investment process is designed to promote fresh ideas and differing points of view. We innovate to give our clients an edge. Innovation has long been part of the fabric of PIMCO’s culture. Explore how we assess shifting risks and opportunities to build forward-looking solutions for investors.