Quantitative Researcher – PhD: 2027

Trading Interview; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 140,000 - 200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Visa sponsorship

Education program

Job summary

Susquehanna is seeking a Quantitative Researcher to design, validate, backtest, and implement statistical and ML models for trading strategies. You will generate alpha signals, improve robustness, and collaborate with traders and technologists in production environments.

Ideal candidates hold PhDs by Summer 2026 or postdocs in quantitative fields, with strong Python skills and C++ as a plus. Visa sponsorship is available, and mentorship will accelerate your growth within a collaborative,

Qualifications

• PhDs graduating by Summer 2026 or postdocs in quantitative fields such as mathematics, physics, statistics, electrical engineering, computer science, operations research, or economics.
• Analytical problem-solvers with excellent logical reasoning and a passion for turning data into decisions.
• Proficient in Python; C++ experience is a plus and helpful for processing large data sets.

Responsibilities

• Build and backtest statistical and machine learning models for alpha signals and trading strategies.
• Evaluate strategy performance and contribute to production-ready implementations.
• Collaborate with systematic traders and technologists in a fast-paced environment.
• Engage in continuous education and mentorship programs to accelerate growth.

Skills

Python

C++

Analytical thinking

Communication

Education

PhD or postdoc in quantitative field

Job description

Job Type Full-time

Posted 2 months ago

The role

Job description

Overview

As a Quantitative Researcher at Susquehanna, you’ll blend strong research capabilities with a deep understanding of trading to design, validate, backtest, and implement statistical and advanced machine learning models. Your work will span a range of initiatives, including large-scale data analysis, alpha signal research, and strategy performance enhancement. While there is some overlap with the Quantitative Systematic Trader role, quantitative researchers typically focus more on model development, robustness, and long-term reliability.

What you can expect

• Modelling: Apply probability theory, statistical analysis, and machine learning techniques to build robust models and generate alphas
• Execution: Propose improvements or optimize existing strategies
• Evaluation: Backtest ideas using historical market data and large research clusters
• Education: Participate in a comprehensive education program and receive personalized mentorship from senior professionals to accelerate your growth
• Collaboration: Work in an open environment that allows you to collaborate with systematic traders and technologists to push strategies into production

What we're looking for

• PhDs graduating by Summer 2026 or postdocs in quantitative fields such as mathematics, physics, statistics, electrical engineering, computer science, operations research, or economics
• Analytical problem-solvers with excellent logical reasoning and a passion for turning data into decisions
• Clear communicators in a fast-paced and highly collaborative environment
• Programmers comfortable processing and analyzing large data sets in Python; experience with C++ (or another low-level language) is a plus
• Strategic thinkers with demonstrated interests in strategic games and/or competitive activities
• Self-motivated and quick to learn, thriving in dynamic, fast-moving environment
• Visa sponsorship is available for this position.

By applying to this role, you will be automatically considered for the Quantitative Systematic Trader position. There is no need to apply to both positions to be considered for both.

About Susquehanna

Susquehanna is a global quantitative trading firm powered by scientific rigor, curiosity, and innovation. Our culture is intellectually driven and highly collaborative, bringing together researchers, engineers, and traders to design and deploy impactful strategies in our systematic trading environment. To meet the unique challenges of global markets, Susquehanna applies machine learning and advanced quantitative research to vast datasets in order to uncover actionable insights and build effective strategies. By uniting deep market expertise with cutting-edge technology, we excel in solving complex problems and pushing boundaries together.