Quantitative Research Intern

As a Quantitative Research Intern, you’ll use data, mathematics and technology to turn financial market data into quantitative insights and trading strategies. You will tackle a practical research challenge using rich market data to explore real-world trading questions. In our business, where the markets are always evolving, you will test hypotheses, identify patterns and explore how research ideas are developed, challenged and evaluated in practice.

By the end of the ten-week internship, you’ll be equipped with the skills and knowledge required to succeed as a Quantitative Researcher at a leading global trading firm.

What you’ll do

Led by our in-house education team, the internship combines structured training with hands-on experience across trading, research and AI.

The comprehensive training program offers you the opportunity to:

• Deep dive into trading and research fundamentals, from theoretical concepts to financial markets, strategies and cutting-edge technology
• Take part in a collaborative research project, using quantitative analysis to develop and test a systematic trading strategy
• Develop your research skills by working with large market datasets to test hypotheses, identify patterns and explore trading ideas
• Gain hands-on market experience through simulated trading using real Optiver technology and responding to live market events
• Gain exposure to traders and researchers and experience the trading floor environment first-hand
• Learn how we use AI and apply it to solve real-world trading problems

Based on your performance during the internship, you could receive an offer to join our firm full-time in Amsterdam or London after your studies.

What you’ll get

You’ll join a culture of collaboration and excellence, where you’ll be surrounded by curious thinkers and creative problem solvers. Motivated by a passion for continuous improvement, you’ll thrive in a supportive, high-performing environment alongside talented colleagues, working collectively to tackle the toughest problems in the financial markets.

In addition, you’ll receive:

• A highly competitive internship compensation package
• Optiver-covered flights and accommodation in the city centre for the duration of the internship
• Extensive office perks, including breakfast, lunch and dinner, world-class barista coffee, bi-weekly chair massages, Friday afternoon drinks, a bicycle to explore Amsterdam and much more
• The opportunity to participate in sports and leisure activities, along with social events exclusively organised for your intern cohort

Who you are

• Penultimate-year student in Mathematics, Statistics, Computer Science, Physics or a related STEM field, with the ability to work full time upon graduation in 2028
• Solid foundation in mathematics, probability and statistics
• Excellent research, analytical and modelling skills
• Independent research experience
• Proficiency in any programming language
• Knowledge of machine learning, time-series analysis and pattern recognition is a plus
• Strong interest in working in a fast-paced, collaborative environment
• Fluent in English with strong written and verbal communication skills

Diversity statement

Optiver is committed to diversity and inclusion.

We encourage applications from candidates from any and all backgrounds, and we welcome requests for reasonable adjustments during the process to ensure that you can best demonstrate your abilities. Please let us know if you would like to request any reasonable adjustments by contacting the Recruitment team via the contact form, selecting "Reasonable Adjustments" as the subject of your inquiry.

For answers to some of our most frequently asked questions, refer to our Applying to Optiver Europe: Recruitment FAQ.

For applicants based in India, our entry route is via the placement office internship hiring season (July/August).

*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 after the 8-month cool off period.