Quantitative Research Intern
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Job Description
About the Company
Optiver is a leading global market-making institution with a mission to improve the market by injecting liquidity, providing accurate pricing, increasing transparency, and stabilizing the market regardless of conditions. They prioritize continuous improvement and safeguarding the health and efficiency of financial markets for all participants. As one of the largest market makers, Optiver is a respected partner on over 100 exchanges worldwide. They embrace diversity, believing that their differences are their edge, and are committed to non-discrimination. Optiver is supportive of US immigration sponsorship for this role.
Job Description: Quantitative Research Intern
This internship offers an opportunity to work side-by-side with Optiver’s Research Team, composed of mathematicians, scientists, and technologists. As a Quantitative Research Intern, you will be involved in developing and enhancing the models that drive Optiver’s trading decisions, tackling practical research projects with real-world impact. The role requires using your skills to predict market movements in an always-evolving financial landscape. This opportunity is available in both Optiver’s Chicago and Austin offices.
What you’ll do:
• Learning and Development: You will delve into trading fundamentals, guided by Optiver’s in-house education team.
• Mentorship: You will be paired with a seasoned researcher from Optiver, gaining exposure to a variety of research areas.
• Core Responsibilities:
• Develop trading algorithms using statistical models and machine learning.
• Leverage big data technologies to analyze high-frequency trading strategies, market microstructure, and financial instruments to identify trading opportunities.
• Build stochastic models to determine the fair value of financial derivatives.
• Combine quantitative analysis and high-performance implementation to ensure the efficiency and accuracy of pricing engines and libraries.
What you’ll get:
• Culture: Join a collaborative and excellent culture, surrounded by curious thinkers and creative problem-solvers. You will thrive in a supportive, high-performing environment, collectively tackling tough challenges in financial markets.
• Professional Exposure: Work alongside best-in-class professionals from over 40 different countries.
• Career Opportunity: The opportunity to earn a return internship or full-time offer in Chicago, Austin, New York City, or Amsterdam based on performance.
• Compensation: A highly-competitive internship compensation package. The expected base salary range is $70,000—$80,000 USD, plus a sign-on bonus. Final offers are determined by experience, education, skillset, and interview performance.
• Benefits & Perks: Optiver-covered flights, living accommodations, and commuting stipends. Extensive office perks include breakfast, lunch and snacks, regular social events, clubs, and sporting leagues.
Who you are (Qualifications):
• Education: Currently pursuing a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mathematics, Statistics, Computer Science, Physics, or a related STEM field, with outstanding academic performance.
• Graduation Window: Expected graduation between December 2026 and June 2028.
• Availability: Available to intern during Summer 2026.
• Future Opportunities: Open to full-time opportunities upon graduation in 2027 or 2028.
• Technical Skills:
• Solid foundation in mathematics, probability, and statistics.
• Excellent research, analytical, and modeling skills.
• Independent research experience.
• Proficiency in any programming language.
• Experience in machine learning, with practical applications in time-series analysis and pattern recognition.
• Soft Skills: Strong interest in working in a fast-paced, collaborative environment. Fluent in English with strong written and verbal communication skills.
Application Process:
Optiver accepts one application per role per year. If you have previously applied to this position during the current season and were unsuccessful, you can reapply once the next recruitment season begins in 2026.
