Systematic Quantitative Researcher - PhD

Systematic Quantitative Researcher - PhD

Chicago Trading Company (CTC) is a premier proprietary trading firm specializing in options market making. Our collaborative culture fuels innovation in quantitative research, systematic trading strategies, and cutting‑edge trading technology. For over three decades CTC has provided critical liquidity across derivatives exchanges worldwide — making them fairer, more transparent, and more efficient.

Quantitative research is a key driver of innovation at CTC and one of the pillars upon which our firm is built. As a Quantitative Researcher, you will operate near the tip of the spear in a collaborative, dynamic environment. Your work will involve close partnership with other researchers, traders, and engineers on quantitative problem‑solving, trading strategy generation, back‑testing, statistical analysis, and system design.

You will apply the scientific method to business problems as part of one of our Quant teams at CTC.

We seek a candidate who combines academic rigor with practical application in a fast‑paced trading environment. The ideal candidate will bring analytical prowess, programming skills, and an eye for business, driving innovation and results in quantitative finance.

• Analyze market data to develop economic and microstructure hypotheses
• Build predictive and explanatory models to describe financial markets
• Add revenue by applying thorough research processes to real‑life business problems
• Contribute to the ongoing improvement of research and trading infrastructure

• PhD in Science or Engineering fields (e.g., Statistics, Mathematics, Applied Mathematics, or Operations Research)
• Proven ability to conduct independent, high‑quality research
• Exceptional ability to communicate complex ideas and research results, both in writing and verbally
• Unwavering commitment to quality, coupled with a drive for delivering commercial outcomes
• Demonstrated expertise in applying quantitative modeling techniques to large, complex datasets
• Strong track record of publications in an industry setting
• Advanced Python programming skills

• Proficiency in C++
• Experience in financial markets
• Experience with Num Py and Pandas libraries
• Experience with the software development lifecycle

Salary Range: $175,000 – $200,000 USD. The role is also eligible for an annual discretionary bonus based on individual skills, experience, qualifications, and firm performance.

CTC is a proud equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. We provide reasonable accommodation to applicants and employees with disabilities. If you require an accommodation during the application process, please contact us at

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