Graduate Quantitative Researcher (PhD)

IMC is recruiting for Graduate Quantitative Researcher (PhD) in Chicago, United States. This listing was last seen on the firm's own job board on August 22, 2026.

Options market making with a technology-first culture and a lighter maths bar than its Amsterdam neighbour.

What sets IMC apart: Traders and engineers hired into the same programme and trained together. Lower mental maths bar than Optiver, higher weight on logic puzzles. Strong campus presence in the Netherlands, Chicago, and India.

Related preparation: Quantitative Researcher (QR) Career Roadmap, Machine Learning Quant Career Roadmap, Quant Strategist (Desk Quant) Career Roadmap, Quant Data Scientist (Alternative Data) Roadmap, Quant Research Ops (MLOps) Roadmap and Financial Data Scientist Career Roadmap.

The role, as IMC describes it, published on July 1, 2026 and reproduced from their job board:

As a Quantitative Researcher at IMC, your work will directly impact our global trading strategies. You will leverage your superior analytical, mathematical, and computing skills to improve existing models and develop new ones. We will empower you to discover your unique niche and excel, taking on responsibility and ownership from the start. Quantitative Researchers work closely Traders and Developers in an environment where problem solving, innovation and teamwork are recognized and rewarded.

Your Core Responsibilities:

Apply rigorous analytical and quantitative techniques to solve complex problems

Build custom tools to explore new research ideas

Design mathematical models based upon trading ideas

Implement and deploy new models into production

Maintain best practices to keep our systems logical and consistent

Your Skills and Experience:

Current university student graduating between September 2026 – July 2027 that is pursuing a PhD degree in Mathematics, Engineering, Statistics, Physics, Computer Science, or another highly quantitative field

Has a passion for research and problem solving

Approaches data analysis with rigorous thought processes and strong intuition