Graduate Quantitative Researcher, PhD (2027 Start)

Optiver Holding BV; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 170,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

Optiver, a leading trading firm, seeks a Graduate Quantitative Researcher (PhD) to tackle challenging problems in global financial markets. Work with researchers, engineers, and traders to analyze large-scale data, develop predictive models, and apply ML techniques to identify trading opportunities.

The role involves end-to-end research from framing questions to validating models in live market environments, leveraging AI-enabled infrastructure to transform insights into actionable trading

Qualifications

• PhD in Statistics, CS, ML, Math or related STEM field.
• Expected to graduate by mid-2027 and available to start upon graduation.
• Strong foundation in mathematics, probability, and statistics.
• Experience applying machine learning methods to real-world problems such as time-series analysis, prediction, forecasting, pattern recognition, optimization, or decision-making.

Responsibilities

• Develop predictive models and machine learning systems to understand market behavior and identify opportunities.
• Analyze large-scale market and order-flow data to uncover signals and evaluate hypotheses.
• 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.

Skills

Programming

Mathematics

Statistics

Machine Learning

Time-series analysis

Education

PhD in Statistics, CS, ML, Math or related STEM

Job description

Graduate Quantitative Researcher, PhD (2027 Start)

As a Graduate Quantitative Researcher, you’ll tackle some of the most challenging quantitative problems in global financial markets. Working alongside researchers, engineers, and traders, you’ll analyze large-scale datasets, develop predictive models and algorithms, and apply statistical and machine learning techniques to better understand market behavior and identify trading opportunities.

Research at Optiver ishighly appliedand end-to-end.You’llframe research questions, test hypotheses, develop andvalidatemodels, and see your ideas evaluated in live market environments. Combining rigorous scientific thinkingwithmodernAI-enabledresearch infrastructure,you’lltransform insights into solutions that directly influence how we trade.

This opportunity is also available in our

As a Graduate Quantitative Researcher, you’ll tackle some of the most challenging quantitative problems in global financial markets. Working alongside researchers, engineers, and traders, you’ll analyze large-scale datasets, develop predictive models and algorithms, and apply statistical and machine learning techniques to better understand market behavior and identify trading opportunities.

Research at Optiver ishighly appliedand end-to-end.You’llframe research questions, test hypotheses, develop andvalidatemodels, and see your ideas evaluated in live market environments. Combining rigorous scientific thinkingwithmodernAI-enabledresearch infrastructure,you’lltransform insights into solutions that directly influence how we trade.

This opportunity is also available in our Austin office.

WhatYou’llDo:

Your onboarding

You’llparticipatein Global Optiver Academy, a structureonboarding program for graduates. It gives new joiners a shared foundation in how Optiver trades, builds systems, and manages risk before they move into their teams. As part of your onboarding,you'llgain exposure to the AI tools and technologies that support research and development across the business.

Your responsibilities

As a Quantitative Researcher, you will have the opportunity to contribute to several key areas:

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

WhatYou’llGet:

You’lljoin a culture of collaboration, continuous improvement,and excellence, surrounded by curious thinkers and creative problem-solvers. Together,you’lltackle some of the toughest challenges in the financial marketsbyleveragingcutting-edgemachine learning research to develop innovative, real-world solutions.

In addition,you’llreceive:

• The opportunity to work alongside best-in-class professionals from over 40 differentcountries
• Highly competitive compensation package
• Global profit-sharing pool and performance-based bonus structure
• 401(k) match up to50%
• Comprehensive health, mental, dental, vision, disability, and life coverage
• 25 paid vacation days alongside market holidays
• Extensive officeperks, including breakfast, lunch,snacks, regular social events, clubs, sporting leagues,andmore

WhatToExpect :

As part of our assessment process, you may be invited to participate in a multi-day, on-site evaluative program. Through hands-on workshops, technical discussions, and direct exposure to our researchers and traders, you’ll gain insight into how research is applied at Optiver and how PhD students transition successfully into industry. Attendance and successful completion of this program may be required to receive a full-time offer.

WhoYou Are:

• PhD inStatistics, Computer Science,Machine Learning,Mathematics, or a related STEM field, with outstanding academic achievements
• Expected to graduate by mid-2027and available to start full-time employment upongraduation
• Solid foundation in mathematics, probability, and statistics
• Excellent research, analytical, and modeling skills
• Experience applying machine learning methods to real-world research problems, such astime-series analysis,prediction, forecasting, pattern recognition, optimization, or decision-making
• Proficiencyin any programming language
• Strong interest in working in a fast-paced, collaborativeenvironment
• Fluent in English with strong written and verbal communication skills

WhoWe Are:

Optiver is a leading technology- and research-driven trading firm. Our teams of scientists, engineers, mathematicians, and traders work side by side to develop, test, and scale ideas that shape how we understand and trade global markets. Powered by a global platform built for rapid experimentation and iteration, we combine the scientific rigor of a research institution with the pace of a technology company.

Our differences are our edge. Optiver does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, physical or mental disability, or other legally protected characteristics.

Optiver is supportiv e of US immigration sponsorship for this role .

*Optiver has a global application re-apply policy for our intern and graduate roles. If you have completed an online assessment or interviewed for a quantitative graduate or internship role at any Optiver location in the past 8 months, please note that you are not yet eligible to reapply. We welcome you to re-apply to after the 8-month cool off period.

Below is the expected base salary for this position. This is a good-faith estimate of the base pay scale for this position and offers will ultimately be determined based on experience, education, skill set, and performance in the interview process. This position will also be eligible for a discretionary bonus (if determined by Optiver) and Optiver’s benefits package with the benefits listed above.

Base Salary Range $200,000 — $200,000 USD