Senior Quantitative Researcher - Options Market Making

Maven Securities; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation

Annual discretionary bonus

Fully catered breakfast and lunch

25 days' annual leave

Private healthcare

Group Pension plan

Job summary

Maven Securities is seeking a Senior Quantitative Researcher in Chicago, Illinois, who will lead projects to enhance trading performance through innovative real-time trading models. Candidates should have a PhD in applied mathematics or a related field, along with 3+ years of experience in electronic options trading. This role offers competitive compensation, an annual bonus, and a flexible research environment that encourages collaboration and innovation. Benefits include catered meals, private healthcare, and 25 days of annual leave.

Qualifications

• Minimum 3+ years of experience in the financial industry, particularly in electronic options trading.
• Ability to work collaboratively with traders and researchers.
• Proactive interest in improving trading strategies.

Responsibilities

• Lead projects that impact trading performance.
• Develop innovative real-time trading models.
• Share expertise with other researchers on challenging projects.

Skills

Research advanced algorithms

Develop predictive models

Verify complex hypotheses

Collaborative teamwork

Education

PhD in applied mathematics or related field

Job description

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 grows.
• 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. If you’re interested in this opportunity, please apply directly.