Quantitative Research Intern, PhD (Summer 2027)

Quantitative Research Intern, PhD (Summer 2027) 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. This opportunity is also available in our Chicago office. What You’ll Do: 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 the opportunity to contribute to several key areas: 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