Quantitative Research Intern, PhD (Summer 2027)

Optiver · Chicago, Illinois, United States

About the role

<p><span data-contrast="auto">As a Quantitative Research Intern, you’ll work alongside researchers, engineers, and traders to tackle some of the most challenging quantitative problems in global financial markets. You’ll analyze large-scale datasets, develop predictive models and algorithms, and apply statistical and machine learning techniques to uncover patterns in market behavior. AI-driven research at Optiver is where competitive advantage is built, transforming ideas, models, and insights into trading strategies that operate in live markets. </span></p> <p><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":true,"134233118":true,"134245529":false,"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559739":240,"335559740":240}"><strong><span style="font-weight: bold;">This opportunity is also available in our</span></strong> <a href="https://www.optiver.com/join-us/jobs/quantitative-research-and-machine-learning/austin/quantitative-research-intern-phd-summer-2027/">Austin</a> office.</span></p> <p><strong><span data-contrast="auto">What You’ll Do:</span></strong><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":true,"134233118":true,"134245529":false,"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559739":240,"335559740":240}"> </span></p> <p><span data-contrast="auto">Led by our dedicated

Education team, you’ll build a strong foundation in market structure and options theory. This internship follows an apprentice-style learning model where you’ll work alongside an experienced researcher and contribute to a project that’s aligned with current business needs. Throughout the internship, you’ll gain exposure to the AI tools and technologies that support research and development across the business, with </span><span data-contrast="none">the opportunity to contribute to several key areas:</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":true,"134233118":true,"134245529":false,"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559739":240,"335559740":240}"> </span></p> <ul> <li data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="15" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="1" data-aria-level="1"><span data-contrast="none">Develop predictive models and machine learning systems to better understand market behavior and identify trading opportunities</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":true,"134233118":true,"134245529":false,"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559739":240,"335559740":240}"> </span></li> </ul> <ul> <li data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="15" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="2" data-aria-level="1"><span data-contrast="none">Analyze large-scale market and order-flow data to uncover signals, evaluate hypotheses, and improve trading performance</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":true,"134233118":true,"134245529":false,"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559739":240,"335559740":240}"> </span></li> </ul> <ul> <li data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="15" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="3" data-aria-level="1"><span data-contrast="none">Build and test statistical and stochastic models for pricing, forecasting, and risk management</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":true,"134233118":true,"134245529":false,"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559739":240,"335559740":240}"> </span></li> </ul> <ul> <li data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="15" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="4" data-aria-level="1"><span data-contrast="none">Apply modern research techniques, including deep learning and AI-enabled workflows, to accelerate discovery and improve research efficiency</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":true,"134233118":true,"134245529":false,"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559739":240,"335559740":240}"> </span></li> </ul> <p><strong><span data-contrast="auto">What You’ll Get: </span></strong><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":true,"134233118":true,"134245529":true,"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559739":240,"335559740":240}"> </span></p> <p><span data-contrast="none">You’ll join a culture of collaboration, continuous improvement, and excellence, surrounded by curious thinkers and creative problem-solvers.

Together, you’ll tackle some of the toughest challenges in the financial markets by leveraging cutting-edge machine learning research to develop innovative, real-world solutions.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":true,"134245529":true,"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559685":0,"335559737":0,"335559738":0,"335559739":240,"335559740":240}"> </span></p> <p><span data-contrast="auto">In addition, you’ll receive:</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":true,"134233118":true,"134245529":false,"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559739":240,"335559740":240}"> </span></p> <ul> <li data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="7" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="1" data-aria-level="1"><span data-contrast="auto">The opportunity to work alongside best-in-class professionals from over 40 different countries</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134245529":true,"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559739":240,"335559740":240}"> </span></li> </ul> <ul> <li data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="7" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="2" data-aria-level="1"><span data-contrast="auto">The opportunity to earn a return internship or full-time offer in Chicago, Austin, or New York City based on performance </span><span data-ccp-props="{"134245529":true,"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559739":240,"335559740":240}"> </span></li> </ul> <ul> <li data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="7" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="3" data-aria-level="1"><span data-contrast="auto">A highly-competitive internship compensation package</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134245529":true,"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559739":240,"335559740":240}"> </span></li> </ul> <ul> <li data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="7" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="4" data-aria-level="1"><span data-contrast="auto">Optiver-covered flights, living accommodations, and commuting stipends </span><span data-ccp-props="{"134245529":true,"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559739":240,"335559740":240}"> </span></li> </ul> <ul> <li data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="7" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="5" data-aria-level="1"><span data-contrast="auto">Extensive office perks, including breakfast, lunch, snacks, regular social events, clubs, sporting leagues, and more</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134245529":true,"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559739":240,"335559740":240}"> </span></li> </ul> <p><strong><span data-contrast="auto">What To Expect</span></strong><span data-contrast="auto">:</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":true,"134233118":true,"134245529":false,"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559739":240,"335559740":240}"> </span></p> <p><span data-contrast="auto">As part of our assessment process, you may be invited to participate in a multi-day, on-site evaluative program. Through hands-on workshops, technical discussions, and direct exposure to our researchers and traders, you’ll gain insight into how research is applied at Optiver and how PhD students transition successfully into industry. Attendance and successful completion of this program may be required to receive an internship offer.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":true,"134233118":true,"134245529":false,"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559685":0,"335559737":0,"335559739":240,"335559740":240}"> </span></p> <p><strong><span data-contrast="auto">Who You Are:</span></strong><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":true,"134233118":true,"134245529":false,"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559685":0,"335559737":0,"335559739":240,"335559740":240}"> </span></p> <ul> <li data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="9" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"multilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="1" data-aria-level="1"><span data-contrast="auto">Currently enrolled in a PhD program in Statistics, Computer Science, Machine Learning, Mathematics, or a related STEM field with outstanding academic performance</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":true,"134233118":true,"134245529":false,"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559739":240,"335559740":240}"> </span></li> </ul> <ul> <li data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="9" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"multilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="2" data-aria-level="1"><span data-contrast="auto">Expected graduation between December 2027 – June 2029 and available to intern during Summer 2027</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":true,"134233118":true,"134245529":false,"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559739":240,"335559740":240}"> </span></li> </ul> <ul> <li data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="9" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"multilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="3" data-aria-level="1"><span data-contrast="auto">Open to full-time opportunities upon graduation in 2028 or 2029</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":true,"134233118":true,"134245529":false,"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559739":240,"335559740":240}"> </span></li> </ul> <ul> <li data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="9" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"multilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="4" data-aria-level="1"><span data-contrast="auto">Solid foundation in mathematics, probability, and statistics</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":true,"134233118":true,"134245529":false,"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559739":240,"335559740":240}"> </span></li> </ul> <ul> <li data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="9" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"multilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="5" data-aria-level="1"><span data-contrast="auto">Excellent research, analytical, and modeling skills</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":true,"134233118":true,"134245529":false,"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559739":240,"335559740":240}"> </span></li> </ul> <ul> <li data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="9" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"multilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="6" data-aria-level="1"><span data-contrast="none">Experience applying machine learning methods to real-world research problems, such as time-series analysis, prediction, forecasting, pattern recognition, optimization, or decision-making</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":true,"134233118":true,"134245529":false,"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559739":240,"335559740":240}"> </span></li> </ul> <ul> <li data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="9" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"multilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="7" data-aria-level="1"><span data-contrast="auto">Proficiency in any programming language</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":true,"134233118":true,"134245529":false,"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559739":240,"335559740":240}"> </span></li> </ul> <ul> <li data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="9" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"multilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="8" data-aria-level="1"><span data-contrast="auto">Strong interest in working in a fast-paced, collaborative environment</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":true,"134233118":true,"134245529":false,"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559739":240,"335559740":240}"> </span></li> </ul> <ul> <li data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="9" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"multilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="9" data-aria-level="1"><span data-contrast="auto">Fluent in English with strong written and verbal communication skills</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":true,"134233118":true,"134245529":false,"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559739":240,"335559740":240}"> </span></li> </ul> <p><strong><span data-contrast="auto">Who We Are: </span></strong><span data-ccp-props="{"134233118":true,"134245529":true,"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559739":240,"335559740":240}"> </span></p> <p><span data-contrast="none">Optiver is a leading technology- and research-driven trading firm. Our teams of scientists, engineers, mathematicians, and traders work side by side to develop, test, and scale ideas that shape how we understand and trade global markets. Powered by a global platform built for rapid experimentation and iteration, we combine the scientific rigor of a research institution with the pace of a technology company.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"134245529":true,"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559738":60,"335559739":60,"335559740":240}"> </span></p> <p><span data-contrast="auto"><span data-ccp-parastyle="No Spacing">Our </span><span data-ccp-parastyle="No Spacing">differences are our edge. </span><span data-ccp-parastyle="No Spacing">Optiver</span><span data-ccp-parastyle="No Spacing"> does not discriminate </span><span data-ccp-parastyle="No Spacing">on the basis of</span><span data-ccp-parastyle="No Spacing"> race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, physical or mental disability, or other legally protected characteristics.</span><span data-ccp-parastyle="No Spacing"> </span></span><span data-ccp-props="{"134245529":false,"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559739":0,"335559740":240}"> </span></p> <p><span data-contrast="none"><span data-ccp-parastyle="No Spacing">Optiver</span><span data-ccp-parastyle="No Spacing"> is supportiv</span><span data-ccp-parastyle="No Spacing">e of US immigration sponsorship</span><span data-ccp-parastyle="No Spacing"> for this role</span><span data-ccp-parastyle="No Spacing">.</span></span><span data-ccp-props="{"134245529":false,"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559739":0,"335559740":240}"> </span></p> <p> </p> <p><strong><span data-contrast="none">*Optiver has a global application re-apply policy for our intern and graduate roles.

If you have completed an online assessment or interviewed for a quantitative graduate or internship role at any Optiver location in the past 8 months, please note that you are not yet eligible to reapply. We welcome you to re-apply to after the 8-month cool off period.</span></strong><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"134245529":true,"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335557856":16777215,"335559738":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":240}"> </span></p><div class="content-pay-transparency"><div class="pay-input"><div class="description"><p> </p> <p><em>Below is the expected compensation for this position. This is a good-faith estimate of the base pay scale and sign-on bonus 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 the benefits listed above.</em></p></div><div class="title">Base

Salary Range</div><div class="pay-range"><span>$80,000</span><span class="divider">—</span><span>$100,000 USD</span></div></div></div>

More at Optiver

More Quantitative Research internships in Chicago, IL

More Quantitative Research internships

More like this