Senior Quantitative Researcher - Options Market Making

Maven - Trading and Portfolio Management; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 180,000 - 320,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation

Annual discretionary bonus

Breakfast and lunch provided

25 days annual leave

Informal dress code

Private healthcare

Life assurance

Group pension plan

Job summary

Maven Securities is seeking a Senior Quantitative Researcher to lead projects that directly impact trading performance in options market making. You will collaborate across researchers and traders to build real-time models for low-latency execution and pricing, including option pricing and volatility modeling.

The role requires a PhD or equivalent, 3+ years in electronic options trading, and a passion for turning complex data into competitive strategies.

Qualifications

• Academic credentials in quantitative fields and ability to conduct independent research.
• Proven track record of research with large datasets and complex hypotheses.

Responsibilities

• Lead projects that impact trading performance.
• Develop real-time trading models for low-latency options systems.
• Collaborate with researchers and traders to advance pricing and alpha strategies.

Skills

Applied mathematics

Computer science

Statistics

Physics

Education

PhD or equivalent

Job description

Senior Quantitative Researcher - Options Market Making

Maven is a market-leading proprietary trading firm deploying its own capital across discretionary, systematic, and market-making strategies. Backed by deep expertise in trading, technology, and research, we are relentlessly focused on improving liquidity across global listed derivatives. Through advanced execution and pricing technologies, we improve how financial markets operate.

The role:

As a Senior Quantitative Researcher, you will lead projects that have a direct impact on our trading performance. You will work collaboratively with other researchers and traders from various scientific fields and prestigious academic institutions, to develop innovative real-time trading models and solutions for low latency trading systems for exchange-traded options. You will share your knowledge and expertise with other researchers to tackle various challenging projects including but not limited to option pricing and volatility models, algorithm design and alpha research.

What we’re looking for:

• Academic degree in applied mathematics, computer science, statistics engineering or physics. PhD or any other track record in conducting independent research.
• Minimum 3+ years of experience in the financial industry, particularly electronic options trading.
• Ability to research advanced algorithms, develop predictive models and verify complex hypotheses using large datasets.
• Proactive interest in improving existing trading strategies and identifying new opportunities.
• A collaborative bridge between developers, and traders who aligns technical work with commercial impact and the broader strategic vision, and a real team player with other quants in the team.

Why you should apply:

• Rare opportunity to take a high level of responsibility at a fast-growing global trading firm
• Opportunity to be highly involved in the decisions that shape our trading
• Flexible research environment to iterate on your ideas quickly and see the impact of your work in production
• Leadership opportunities as the team grow
• Great engineering environment where technology, creativity and innovation is key to our success
• An environment where you’re empowered and supported to achieve your ambitions
• Friendly, informal and highly rewarding culture
• The upside of a start-up without the associated risks

WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU

• Competitive compensation
• Annual discretionary bonus
• Fully catered breakfast and lunch
• 25 days’ annual leave
• Informal dress code
• Private healthcare and life assurance
• Group Pension plan

The Options Market Making team at Maven Securities operates under a strict direct sourcing model. We are committed to managing all recruitment activities internally to ensure a consistent and transparent candidate experience. As such, we do not accept unsolicited CVs or introductions from recruitment agencies.