Full-Time

Principal Quantitative Researcher

Systematic

Updated on 9/4/2026

Chicago Trading Company

Chicago Trading Company

501-1,000 employees

Proprietary trading using quantitative strategies

Compensation Overview

$250k - $300k/yr

+ Annual discretionary bonus

Chicago, IL, USA + 1 more

More locations: New York, NY, USA

Hybrid

Hybrid workplace model; on-site requirements may vary based on business need.

PhD

Category
Quantitative Finance (1)
Required Skills
Python
Quantitative Research
Pandas
Risk Management
NumPy
Data Analysis

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Requirements
  • Experience on a top systematic trading team, including at least 10 years as a quantitative researcher.
  • Ability to conduct independent, high-quality research.
  • A track record of generating positive profit and loss.
  • Ability to communicate complex ideas and research results effectively in writing and verbally.
  • Experience with the software development lifecycle and advanced programming skills.
  • A combination of analytical ability, programming skills, and understanding of business.
  • Commitment to quality and delivering commercial outcomes.
  • Strong Python skills, including NumPy and Pandas libraries.
Responsibilities
  • Define and articulate a long-term vision that leads to new revenue sources and evolves with business needs and market structure.
  • Conduct commercially focused, revenue-generating research and support others with their research.
  • Develop a structured roadmap and ensure quantitative functions remain focused, aligned, and accountable.
  • Direct development of innovative infrastructure across pricing models and research platforms.
  • Coordinate risk management, development, and quantitative research to drive measurable business impact.
  • Provide thought leadership while applying academic rigor to practical trading applications.
Desired Qualifications
  • Management experience leading a healthy and empowered team and driving accountability.
  • Experience with a wide variety of market and alternative data.
  • Expertise in United States options markets, options pricing models, volatility surfaces, and risk management techniques.
  • Strong Python skills, including NumPy and Pandas libraries.
  • A strong publication record in an industry setting.
Chicago Trading Company

Chicago Trading Company

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CTC trades its own capital in stocks, options, and futures for institutional clients. A team of traders, quants, technologists, and operations staff uses algorithms and data analysis to identify trading opportunities and execute trades. Profits come from timely pricing, risk management, and efficient execution, financed by its own balance sheet. The firm differentiates itself with internal capital generation, a collaborative culture, and offices in Chicago, Boulder, London, and New York to access global markets, aiming for steady profits by refining quantitative methods.

Company Size

501-1,000

Company Stage

Debt Financing

Total Funding

$300M

Headquarters

Chicago, Illinois

Founded

1995

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Simplify Jobs

Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • CTC hired Citi's Ben Miller in September 2024 to grow EMEA ETF sales.
  • Open roles in 2026 span FPGA, AI, quant research, and execution engineering.
  • The firm expanded at 425 South Financial Place, showing continued headcount and capital investment.

What critics are saying

  • A 2023 data breach exposed Social Security numbers, passports, and licenses.
  • CTC still advertises privacy contacts, suggesting lingering remediation and compliance burden.
  • ETFs, systematic trading, and market making face brutal competition from Optiver and Jane Street.

What makes Chicago Trading Company unique

  • CTC specializes in options market making, not generic multi-manager trading.
  • It operates across Chicago, London, New York, and Amsterdam.
  • Pyth network integration in 2025 signals serious on-chain market-data infrastructure.

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Benefits

Health Insurance

Parental Leave

Wellness Program

Flexible Work Hours

Growth & Insights and Company News

Headcount

6 month growth

6%

1 year growth

6%

2 year growth

6%
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