Quantitative Researcher for Systematic Volatility Trading - Associate / Vice President

Next Frontier Capital; Worcester (MA); Hybrid; USD 150,000 - 250,000; Full time

Job summary

J.P. Morgan seeks a highly qualified Associate/VP for the QR Systematic Trading APAC group. You will develop data-driven trading signals, implement systematic strategies across options, and optimize allocation across multiple strategies.

Lead automation of trading processes and collaborate with desks to drive alpha in volatility trading. Candidates should have a PhD or Master’s in a quantitative field, strong coding (Python, C++, numpy/pandas) and experience in systematic trading.

Qualifications

• PhD or Master’s degree in a quantitative discipline from a top-tier institution.
• Experience in systematic quantitative trading in Equity or related asset classes.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills; able to convey complex research clearly.
• Understanding of algorithmic trading, market making and statistical arbitrage.
• Expertise in statistical modelling & optimisation (linear, convex & conic).
• Strong coding background in Python and quantitative packages (numpy, pandas).
• Ability to analyse large-scale, high-dimensional data from multiple sources.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with volatility flow desks to identify new business opportunities with a systematic mindset.
• Lead lifecycle from idea generation to live trading: research, implementation, monitoring, and performance analysis.
• Automate and optimise derivatives trading; research for volatility and strategy allocation.
• Partner with Cash and Prime Finance to develop data-driven trading solutions and platforms.

Skills

Python

Quantitative research

Statistical modelling

Algorithmic trading

Communication

Data analysis

C++

Education

PhD or Master's in quantitative field

Tools

KDB

TensorFlow / PyTorch

Job description

Are you passionate about derivatives trading, data statistical modelling and algorithms? Join our Systematic Trading Quantitative Research APAC team and lead the trading transformation through modern data-driven techniques and automated decision processes. This is an exciting opportunity to design innovative trading strategies and make your mark in the volatility trading space.

As an Associate / Vice President in the QR Systematic Trading APAC group, you will partner with equity derivatives flow traders and market makers to develop data-driven trading signals, combine those alphas with cost and risk models into systematic strategies (mostly mid frequency), optimize portfolio allocation across multiple strategies, and integrate those trading strategies into automated trading processes or trading algorithms. Communication skills and drive are critical for this role as we expect the candidate to actively engage with the business and be a culture carrier to promote automated trading in the equity derivatives space.

Job Responsibilities

• Work closely with our equity volatility flow and market making desks to identify new business opportunities and approach those with an industrial and systematic mindset
• Contribute to the entire lifecycle from idea generation to live trading: conceptualisation and formalisation, alpha / strategy research, implementation, daily monitoring and ongoing performance analysis
• Automate and optimise derivatives trading quantitatively. This includes: industrial alpha research for volatility, optimal strategy allocation across option portfolios, listed option algorithmic execution, derivatives market making, volatility analytics
• Partner with other businesses such as Cash and Prime Finance to develop synergies in the quantitative trading space (research platform, mandates, data)

Required Qualifications, Capabilities, and Skills

• PhD or Master’s Degree in a quantitative discipline from a top-tier institution
• Experience in systematic quantitative trading in Equity or related asset classes
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, ability to convey the ideas behind complex research in a clear and precise manner
• A thorough understanding of algorithmic trading, market making and statistical arbitrage
• Good expertise in statistical modelling & optimisation, including standard models, linear, convex & conic optimisation
• A strong coding background with proficiency in Python and relevant quantitative packages (numpy, pandas, …)
• Ability to manipulate and analyse complex, large scale, high-dimensionality data from multiple sources

Preferred Qualifications, Capabilities, and Skills

• Knowledge of KDB/Q and prior experience with KDB ecosystem strongly favoured
• Solid understanding of derivatives pricing, risk management theory (vanilla options and volatility products) and risk metrics (e.g. VaR, CVaR, …)
• Proficiency in numerical computing such as JAX for high-performance array operations and automatic differentiation in ML models, or Tensorflow / PyTorch for building and trading deep learning networks
• Exposure to GPU-accelerated computing
• Experience with additional programming languages such as C++

J.P. Morgan is a global leader in financial services, providing strategic advice and products to the world’s most prominent corporations, governments, wealthy individuals and institutional investors. Our first-class business in a first-class way approach to serving clients drives everything we do. We strive to build trusted, long-term partnerships to help our clients achieve their business objectives.

We recognize that our people are our strength and the diverse talents they bring to our global workforce are directly linked to our success. We are an equal opportunity employer and place a high value on diversity and inclusion at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of any protected attribute, including race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital or veteran status, pregnancy or disability, or any other basis protected under applicable law. We also make reasonable accommodations for applicants’ and employees’ religious practices and beliefs, as well as mental health or physical disability needs. Visit our FAQs for more information about requesting an accommodation.

J.P. Morgan’s Commercial & Investment Bank is a global leader across banking, markets, securities services and payments. Corporations, governments and institutions throughout the world entrust us with their business in more than 100 countries. The Commercial & Investment Bank provides strategic advice, raises capital, manages risk and extends liquidity in markets around the world.

Equity Systematic Volatility Trading APAC – Quantitative Research & Strategies Development