Graduate Quantitative Researcher, PhD (2027 Start)

About the role

Joining as a Graduate Quantitative Researcher at Optiver means contributing to the firm's mission of understanding and influencing global financial markets through advanced analytics and machine learning.

Responsibilities

• Develop predictive models and machine learning systems to better understand market behavior and identify trading opportunities.
• Analyze large-scale market and order-flow data to uncover signals, evaluate hypotheses, and improve trading performance.
• Build and test statistical and stochastic models for pricing, forecasting, and risk management.
• Apply modern research techniques, including deep learning and AI-enabled workflows, to accelerate discovery and improve research efficiency.

Qualifications

• PhD in Statistics, Computer Science, Machine Learning, Mathematics, or a related STEM field, with outstanding academic achievements.
• Expected to graduate by mid-2027 and available to start full-time employment upon graduation.
• Solid foundation in mathematics, probability, and statistics.
• Excellent research, analytical, and modeling skills.
• Experience applying machine learning methods to real-world research problems, such as time-series analysis, prediction, forecasting, pattern recognition, optimization, or decision-making.
• Proficiency in any programming language.
• Strong interest in working in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.

Benefits

• The opportunity to work alongside best-in-class professionals from over 40 different countries.
• Highly competitive compensation package.
• Global profit-sharing pool and performance-based bonus structure.
• 401(k) match up to 50%.
• Comprehensive health, mental, dental, vision, disability, and life coverage.
• 25 paid vacation days alongside market holidays.
• Extensive office perks, including breakfast, lunch, snacks, regular social events, clubs, sporting leagues, and more.

Pay

This is a good-faith estimate of the base pay scale for this position and offers will ultimately be determined based on experience, education, skill set, and performance in the interview process. This position will also be eligible for a discretionary bonus (if determined by Optiver) and Optiver’s benefits package with the benefits listed above. Base Salary Range $200,000—$200,000 USD.