Quantitative Research Intern
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Job Description
About 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 across all conditions. They focus on continuous improvement and prioritize 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. The company values diversity, stating that “Our differences are our edge,” and emphasizes non-discrimination based on various protected characteristics. Optiver is also supportive of US immigration sponsorship for this role.
Job Description (Detailed)
This is a Quantitative Research Intern position designed for individuals to work alongside Optiver’s Research Team, comprising mathematicians, scientists, and technologists. The intern will focus on developing and enhancing models that drive Optiver’s trading decisions. The role involves tackling a practical research project with real-world impact, directly influencing trading decisions by predicting market movements in an evolving financial landscape. This opportunity is available in both Chicago and Austin offices.
Key Responsibilities and Learning Opportunities (“What you’ll do”):
• Engage in an in-house education program to delve into trading fundamentals.
• Work on a research project with real-world impact, paired with a seasoned Optiver researcher.
• Gain exposure to diverse research areas, including:
• Developing trading algorithms using statistical models and machine learning.
• Leveraging big data technologies for analyzing high-frequency trading strategies, market microstructure, and financial instruments to identify trading opportunities.
• Building stochastic models for determining the fair value of financial derivatives.
• Combining quantitative analysis with high-performance implementation to ensure the efficiency and accuracy of pricing engines and libraries.
Benefits and Perks (“What you’ll get”):
• Join a culture emphasizing collaboration and excellence, surrounded by curious and creative problem-solvers.
• Work in a supportive, high-performing environment alongside talented colleagues, motivated by continuous improvement and tackling tough challenges in financial markets.
• Opportunity to collaborate with best-in-class professionals from over 40 different countries.
• Potential to earn a return internship or full-time offer in Chicago, Austin, New York City, or Amsterdam based on performance.
• Receive a highly-competitive internship compensation package.
• Optiver-covered flights, living accommodations, and commuting stipends.
• Extensive office perks, including breakfast, lunch, and snacks, regular social events, clubs, and sporting leagues.
Required Qualifications (“Who you are”):
• Currently enrolled in a PhD program in Mathematics, Statistics, Computer Science, Physics, or a related STEM field, with outstanding academic performance.
• Expected graduation between December 2026 and June 2028.
• Available to intern during Summer 2026.
• Open to full-time opportunities upon graduation in 2027 or 2028.
• Possess a solid foundation in mathematics, probability, and statistics.
• Demonstrate excellent research, analytical, and modeling skills.
• Have independent research experience.
• Proficiency in any programming language.
• Experience in machine learning, with practical applications in time-series analysis and pattern recognition.
• Strong interest in working in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.
• Fluent in English with strong written and verbal communication skills.
Application Specifics:
• Optiver accepts one application per role per year. If previously unsuccessful for this position within the current season, reapplication is possible when the next recruitment season begins in 2026.
• Optiver is supportive of US immigration sponsorship for this role.
Compensation:
• The expected base salary range for this position is $80,000—$90,000 USD.
• This is a good-faith estimate and actual offers will be determined based on experience, education, skill set, and performance in the interview process. This position will also be eligible for the benefits listed above.
