Principal Quantitative Researcher - Systematic

Chicago Trading Company; New York (NY); On-site; USD 250,000 - 300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous medical coverage

Paid parental leave

Free breakfast and lunch

Wellness reimbursement

Quarterly recharge days

Job summary

A leading proprietary trading firm in New York is seeking a Principal Quantitative Researcher to drive innovative trading capabilities and revenue generation. The role involves defining a long-term vision for the firm, conducting independent quantitative research, and collaborating closely with traders and engineers. Candidates should have a PhD in Science or Engineering and at least 10 years of experience in systematic trading, along with exceptional programming skills in Python. The company offers a competitive salary and strong benefits.

Qualifications

• Proven ability to conduct independent, high-quality research.
• Demonstrable track record of generating positive PnL.
• Exceptional ability to communicate complex ideas and research results.

Responsibilities

• Define and articulate a long-term vision that leads to new sources of revenue.
• Conduct commercially focused revenue-generating research.
• Direct development of innovative infrastructure across pricing models.

Skills

Quantitative research

Independent research

Communication skills

Python programming

Education

PhD in Science or Engineering

Tools

Numpy

Pandas

Job description

Principal Quantitative Researcher - Systematic

CTC is a cutting-edge proprietary trading firm with a long‑term vision and a clear focus on helping the world price and manage risk. Our fun and trusting culture inspires us to solve the industry’s most challenging problems and take calculated risks in a collaborative environment.

We strive to be the most innovative firm in the industry today, tomorrow, and long into the future while upholding ethical excellence. We believe that CTC makes a positive impact on the markets, the lives of our employees, and all the communities to which we belong. Started in 1995 by a team of forward‑thinking traders, we are proud to call ourselves an industry leader that keeps making markets and each other better.

Quantitative research is a key driver of innovation at CTC and one of the pillars upon which our firm is built. We are seeking a Principal Quantitative Researcher to partner with Trading and Technology to drive new revenue, scale, and evolve the firm’s trading capabilities. In this role, you will lead research areas, influencing the direction of the team in a dynamic environment. This includes partnership with other researcher managers, traders and engineers on quantitative problem solving, trading strategy generation, back‑testing, statistical analysis, and system design.

What You’ll Do

• Define and articulate a long‑term vision that will lead to new sources of revenue, evolving with business needs and market structure
• Conduct commercially focused revenue‑generating research, while supporting others with their research
• Develop a structured roadmap and ensure quant functions remain focused, aligned, and accountable
• Direct development of innovative infrastructure across pricing models and research platforms
• Foster coordination across risk management, development, and quantitative research to drive measurable business impact
• Provide thought leadership while applying academic rigor to practical trading applications

What We’re Looking For

• PhD in Science or Engineering fields (e.g., Statistics, Mathematics, Physics, Operations Research, Electrical Engineering) strongly preferred
• Experience in a top systematic trading team with at least 10 years as a quantitative researcher
• Proven ability to conduct independent, high‑quality research
• Demonstrable track record of generating positive PnL
• Exceptional ability to communicate complex ideas and research results, both in writing and verbally
• Experience with the software development lifecycle with advanced programming skills
• Unique combination of analytical prowess, programming skills, and acute understanding of business
• Unwavering commitment to quality, coupled with a drive for delivering commercial outcomes
• Strong Python skills including Numpy and Pandas libraries

Nice to Haves

• Management experience leading a healthy and empowered team, driving accountability
• Experience with a wide variety of market and alternative data
• Expertise in US options markets, options pricing models, volatility surfaces, and risk management techniques
• Strong track record of publications in an industry setting

Compensation

The salary range for this role is $250,000—$300,000 USD per year. This role is also eligible for an annual discretionary bonus, which will be dependent upon the individual’s skills, experience, qualifications, and firm performance.

Our Benefits

We strongly believe in the well‑being of our employees and their families, so we offer outstanding benefits to support you both professionally and personally. These benefits include generous medical coverage, paid parental leave, free breakfast and lunch (plus healthy snacks), wellness reimbursement, quarterly recharge days, and a variety of other benefits focused on providing the best employee experience.

Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

At CTC, we aim to cultivate a workplace that celebrates diversity and each person feels included, engaged, and empowered. We are committed to having a diverse workforce and are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. CTC does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform crucial job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. If you have a disability and believe you need a reasonable accommodation in order to search for a job opening or to apply for a position, please contact us at [e-mail]. Note that emails sent to this email account for non‑disability related issues, such as following up on an application, will not receive a response.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Information submitted by job applicants may be subject to review and analysis by automated systems, including Artificial Intelligence (AI), as part of the recruitment process. Such systems are utilized to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of our hiring procedures. Applicants are advised that any information provided may be evaluated by AI tools to ensure an equitable and thorough assessment.