Quantitative Intern (Summer 2027)

Optiver; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 70,000 - 88,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flights/housing/stipends covered

Office perks and social events

Global exposure

Job summary

Optiver in Chicago invites you to join as a Quantitative Intern, working with traders, researchers, and engineers to solve complex problems in global financial markets. You'll learn how quantitative research, data, technology, and AI-enabled tools come together to identify opportunities, test ideas, and drive decision-making in rapidly evolving markets.

This internship offers hands-on project work, mentorship from Optiver's Education team, and training to build a foundation for impact, with

Qualifications

• Pursuing Bachelor's or Master's in STEM field.
• Graduation between Dec 2027 and Jun 2029 with sophomore standing or higher.
• Available to intern Summer 2027.
• Open to full-time opportunities after graduation.
• Strong quantitative, analytical, and logical reasoning skills.
• Solid foundation in mathematics, probability, and statistics.
• Experience with programming or scripting in Python or another language.
• Interest in financial markets, quantitative research, and decision‑making.

Responsibilities

• Develop understanding of financial markets, quantitative trading, and the research/tech that power them.
• Analyze complex datasets, investigate market behavior, and uncover insights for decision-making.
• Apply quantitative and programming skills to solve real trading challenges and build useful tools.
• Learn from experienced traders and researchers in a collaborative, high‑performance environment.

Skills

Quantitative reasoning

Analytical skills

Python programming

English communication

Education

STEM degree (Bachelor's/Master's)

Job description

As a Quantitative Intern at Optiver, you'll work alongside traders, researchers, and engineers to solve complex problems in global financial markets. You'll learn how quantitative research, data, technology, and AI-enabled tools come together to identify opportunities, test ideas, and drive decision-making in rapidly evolving markets. Through hands-on project work, mentorship, and training led by Optiver's dedicated Education team, you'll build the foundation needed to make an impact.

As part of the interview process, we'll assess your strengths, interests, and skills to determine the best fit, and you may be considered for either a Quant Trading or Quant Research internship offer.

What You'll Do:

Our internship is designed for curious problem-solvers who enjoy continuously learning. Through a combination of structured education, market simulations, and exposure to modern research and AI tools, you'll develop the skills needed to apply quantitative thinking to real-world challenges.

You'll have the opportunity to:

• Develop a deeper understanding of financial markets, quantitative trading, and the research and technology that power them.
• Analyze complex datasets, investigate market behavior, and uncover insights that inform decision-making.
• Apply your quantitative and programming skills to solve real trading challenges and build impactful tools.
• Strengthen your decision-making skills through live market simulations and hands‑on experience.
• Explore how AI tools can accelerate research, experimentation, and quantitative decision‑making
• Learn directly from experienced traders and researchers in a collaborative, high‑performance environment.

What You'll Get:

You'll join a culture of collaboration and excellence, surrounded by curious thinkers and creative problem‑solvers. Motivated by a passion for continuous improvement, you'll thrive in a supportive, high‑performing environment alongside talented colleagues, collectively tackling some of the toughest challenges in the financial markets.

In addition, you'll receive:

• The opportunity to work alongside best‑in‑class professionals from over 40 different countries.
• The opportunity to earn a return internship or full‑time offer in Chicago, Austin, New York City, or Amsterdam based on performance.
• A highly competitive internship compensation package.
• Optiver‑covered flights, living accommodations, and commuting stipends.
• Extensive office perks, including breakfast, lunch, snacks, regular social events, clubs, sporting leagues, and more.

Who You Are:

• Currently pursuing a Bachelor's or Master's degree in a STEM field.
• Expected graduation between December 2027 and June 2029, with sophomore standing or higher.
• Available to intern during Summer 2027.
• Open to full‑time opportunities upon graduation.
• Strong quantitative, analytical, and logical reasoning skills.
• Solid foundation in mathematics, probability, and statistics.
• Experience with programming or scripting in Python or another language.
• Strong interest in financial markets, quantitative research, and decision‑making.
• Excited to work in a fast‑paced, collaborative environment.
• Fluent in English with strong written and verbal communication skills.

Who We 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 supportive 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 compensation for this position. This is a good‑faith estimate of the base pay scale and sign‑on bonus 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 the benefits listed above.

Base Salary Range

$70,000—$88,000 USD