Quantitative Research Intern (PhD) - Summer 2027

IMC Trading; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 225,000 - 275,000; Full time

Job summary

IMC Trading in Chicago offers a 10-week internship to experience life as a Quant Researcher. You will work with a mentor to explore new research ideas and build custom analysis tools that may be deployed into production.

Throughout the summer, you will deepen knowledge of options theory, market making, algorithm complexity and trades analysis. A strong performance may lead to a full-time Graduate Quant Researcher position at the end of the program.

Qualifications

• PhD candidate in a highly quantitative field and graduating between Sep 2027–Jul 2028.
• Strong numerical, analytical and critical thinking skills.
• Experience with Python, C or C++ is highly desired.
• Available to start internship in-person on Jun 7, 2027.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with Quant Researchers on real projects with potential to impact our business.
• Enhance your understanding of options theory through classroom-based instruction.
• Develop your research skills with mentorship and intern lead feedback.
• Build valuable connections in an environment that rewards problem solving and teamwork.
• Engage in professional development sessions to envision your future at IMC.
• Attend events and social activities to get to know your cohort and current employees.

Skills

Numerical skills

Analytical thinking

Critical thinking

Research passion

Python

C

C++

Teamwork

Education

PhD candidate in a quantitative field

Tools

Python

Job description

Our 10-week internship is your chance to experience life as a Quant Researcher at IMC. You will work alongside your mentor to explore new research ideas and build custom analysis tools that may be deployed into production. Throughout the summer, there will be opportunities to enhance your knowledge of options theory, market making, algorithm complexity and trades analysis. We provide a highly competitive compensation package with accommodations included. The bar for talent at IMC is high and interns who meet our performance expectations will have the opportunity to secure a full time Graduate Quant Researcher position at the end of the program. Where you go from here is up to you!

Your Core Responsibilities

• Team up with Quant Researchers to work on real projects that have potential to impact our business
• Enhance your understanding of options theory through classroom-based instruction
• Develop your research skills with support and feedback from a dedicated mentor and intern lead
• Build valuable connections in an environment that recognizes and rewards problem solving, innovation and teamwork
• Engage in professional development sessions aimed at helping you envision your future at IMC
• Attend a full-schedule of events and social activities to get to know your cohort and current employees

Your Skills And Experience

• Current university student graduating between September 2027 – July 2028 that is pursuing a PhD degree in Mathematics, Engineering, Statistics, Physics, Computer Science, or another highly quantitative field
• Superior numerical, analytical, and critical thinking skills
• Has a passion for research and solving complex problems
• A creative thinker who is driven, resilient, and eager to develop trading intuition
• Experience in a programming language (Python, C, C++) is highly desired
• Must be able to start internship in-person on June 7, 2027

Base Salary: $250,000

Base salary is only one component of total compensation; all full-time, permanent positions are eligible for a discretionary bonus and benefits, including paid leave and insurance.

About Us

IMC is a research-driven trading firm where quantitative modeling, machine learning, and engineering shape how modern markets are traded. A stabilizing force in markets since 1989, we provide liquidity across trading venues, delivering the best outcome in value and risk management to investors. Using our own technology and capital, we build proprietary systems and algorithms that operate across global markets. Our researchers, traders, and engineers work as a collective, combining rapid experimentation, advanced infrastructure, and real-time feedback to turn insight into execution and execution into advantage.