Quant Trading Associate - Options Theory Intensive

Chicago Trading Company; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 180,000 - 220,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free breakfast and lunch

Fitness center membership

Competitive pay and benefits

Job summary

Chicago Trading Company (CTC) seeks a Quant Trading Associate to join its Trading and Quant organization. This entry-level role provides broad exposure as you work toward becoming a Quant Trader or Quant Researcher, engaging in trade execution, back-testing, data analysis, and pricing of derivatives.

You will collaborate with traders, quants, developers, and risk managers, receive mentorship, and participate in data-driven research to generate alpha.

Qualifications

• Pursuing a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree and will graduate 2026–2027.
• All majors welcome.
• Strong academic record (awards, achievements).
• Willing to relocate to Chicago, IL.

Responsibilities

• Identify trading opportunities and impact the team through problem solving.
• Involve trade execution, back-testing, data analysis, and pricing of derivatives.
• Communicate with traders, risk managers, software engineers, and quants.
• Learn all aspects of trading and quant operations and grow toward trader/researcher roles.

Skills

Competitive drive

Collaborative team

Problem solving

Intellectual curiosity

Communication skills

Quantitative skills

Python basics

Learn finance

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in progress

Graduation Dec 2026–Jun 2027

Tools

Python

Job description

Chicago Trading Company (CTC) is a premier proprietary trading firm specializing in options market making. Our collaborative culture fuels innovation in quantitative research, systematic trading strategies, and cutting-edge trading technology. For over three decades CTC has provided critical liquidity across derivatives exchanges worldwide - making them fairer, more transparent, and more efficient. 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.

What’s included:

• 4 days of hands-on learning from seasoned trading professionals in CTC’s Chicago headquarters.
• 1 assessment day where top performers can earn a final round interview for the QTA role, job description below.
• All expenses covered, including travel to Chicago, meals, and hotel accommodation.

Key requirements:

• Able to attend the full Options Theory Intensive from January 4, 2027 – January 8, 2027.
• Plan to arrive the evening of January 3rd .
• Pursuing a bachelor’s or master’s degree.
• All majors and concentrations welcome.
• You graduate between December 2026-June 2027
• You have a demonstrated record of success (academics, awards, etc.)

Quant Trading Associate Job Description

The Role

The Quant Trading Associate (QTA) role is our entry-level position within our Trading and Quant organization and gives you broad exposure to the whole business as you work towards graduating from the Associate Program and assuming a role as a Quant Trader or Quant Researcher. As a QTA, you will work in a high-impact role as a member of a trading or quantitative team. You will play a vital part in identifying trading opportunities and impacting your team through dynamic problem solving — including trade execution, strategy formulation, back-testing, data analysis, and the modeling and pricing of traded financial derivatives — while communicating with traders, risk managers, software engineers, and quants throughout the trading day. You will learn all aspects of the trading and quant operation and work towards a role that generates trading revenue or drives strategy development for the team. In addition to the trading and quantitative side of the business, you will have exposure to technology through our combined trading and technology curriculum. We encourage competitiveness and collaboration in equal measure and strive to better each other to win as one team.

What to Expect

Due to the dynamic nature of this business, we cultivate an environment of continuous learning and growth through an in-house education department. Through formal classroom work, mock trading, and real-time practical exposure, you will gain a holistic introduction to the derivatives market while sharpening your quantitative skillset. You can expect:

• An introduction to options pricing, theory, trading philosophies, and programming courses
• Exposure to different product areas and responsibilities
• One-on-one mentorship from senior members in the firm
• Opportunities to grow quickly and start making autonomous trading decisions
• Participation in data-driven research for the purpose of alpha generation

What it takes for you to be successful:

• You have a competitive drive and are a highly motivated individual that only gets stronger as part of a collaborative team
• An aspiration to collaborate with traders, quants, developers, and other experts to further CTC's goal of providing world class liquidity to financial markets
• You love solving complex problems
• You're intellectually curious and like to challenge the status quo
• You can effectively communicate sophisticated ideas both written and verbally
• Strong quantitative and analytical abilities
• Basic programming skills or a willingness to learn Python
• No prior experience in finance is necessary, but a deep curiosity and a hunger to learn is essential

Key requirements:

• Pursuing a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree.
• All majors and concentrations welcome.
• You will graduate between December 2026-June 2027
• You have a demonstrated record of success (academics, awards, etc.)
• You are willing to relocate to Chicago, IL

Why should you consider a career at CTC?

• Be part of a fast-growing, industry-leading global trading company
• Work in an environment that actively explores and applies emerging technologies — including AI — to enhance trading, engineering, and research workflows
• Opportunity to work with and learn from forward-thinking leaders in our industry
• Experience innovation, teamwork, and fun while working in an intellectually stimulating environment
• Join an ambitious, collaborative workplace where there is no limit to what you can learn and what you will be able to contribute
• Excellent growth potential
• Competitive pay and comprehensive benefits package including free breakfast and lunch (and healthy snacks of course!) as well as a fitness center membership

COMPENSATION

The salary range for this role is listed below. This role is also eligible for an annual discretionary bonus. The discretionary bonus will be dependent upon the individual’s skills, experience, qualifications, and firm performance.

Salary Range $200,000 — $200,000 USD

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. Where each of us feels we belong. 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.