Graduate Quantitative Researcher — AI‑Driven Markets

Optiver; Illinois; On-site; USD 180,000 - 220,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation

Global profit-sharing pool

Performance-based bonus

401(k) match up to 50%

Health, dental, vision, life insurance

Job summary

Optiver is seeking a Graduate Quantitative Researcher to tackle challenging quantitative problems in global financial markets. You will analyze large-scale datasets, develop predictive models, and apply ML techniques to understand market behavior and identify trading opportunities.

The role includes onboarding via Global Optiver Academy and exposure to AI tools across the business. Ideal candidates hold a PhD in Statistics, CS, ML, or Mathematics, with solid math foundations and strong research

Qualifications

• PhD in Statistics, CS, ML, Mathematics, or related STEM with outstanding academic achievements.
• Expected to graduate by mid-2027 and available to start full-time employment upon graduation.
• Solid foundation in mathematics, probability, and statistics.
• Excellent research, analytical, and modeling skills.
• Experience applying machine learning methods to real-world research problems (time-series, forecasting, pattern recognition, optimization, or decision-making).
• Proficiency in any programming language.
• Fluent in English with strong written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop predictive models and machine learning systems to understand market behavior and identify trading opportunities.
• Analyze large-scale market and order-flow data to uncover signals and improve trading performance.
• Build and test statistical and stochastic models for pricing, forecasting, and risk management.
• Apply modern research techniques, including deep learning and AI-enabled workflows, to accelerate discovery and improve research efficiency.

Skills

Programming

English proficiency

Education

PhD in Statistics, Computer Science, ML, Mathematics, or related STEM

Job description

Optiver is seeking a Graduate Quantitative Researcher to tackle challenging quantitative problems in global financial markets. You will analyze large-scale datasets, develop predictive models, and apply ML techniques to understand market behavior and identify trading opportunities.

The role includes onboarding via Global Optiver Academy and exposure to AI tools across the business. Ideal candidates hold a PhD in Statistics, CS, ML, or Mathematics, with solid math foundations and strong research