Chicago Trading Company (CTC) is a premier proprietary trading firm specializing in options market making. Our collaborative culture fuels innovation in quantitative research, systematic trading strategies, and cutting-edge trading technology. For over three decades CTC has provided critical liquidity across derivatives exchanges worldwide - making them fairer, more transparent, and more efficient.
We strive to be the most innovative firm in the industry today, tomorrow, and long into the future while upholding ethical excellence. We believe that CTC makes a positive impact on the markets, the lives of our employees, and all the communities to which we belong. Started in 1995 by a team of forward-thinking Traders, we are proud to call ourselves an industry leader that keeps making markets and each other better.
We are seeking a Senior Quantitative Researcher to join a growing delta-one systematic trading team. This role is focused on alpha research, signal development, and model building across liquid futures and related products, spanning time horizons from high-frequency microstructure to medium-frequency cross-product alpha. The ideal candidate brings deep statistical and empirical research skills with a demonstrated ability to develop, evaluate, and deploy systematic signals and models that generate durable trading edge.
This is an opportunity to work directly on high-impact research problems across multiple products and time horizons, partnering closely with traders, researchers, and engineers to translate research into live trading impact.
WHAT YOU'LL DO
- Lead alpha research across delta-one products — from signal ideation and backtesting through strategy iteration, production handoff, and ongoing monitoring
- Develop predictive signals and models spanning high-frequency microstructure, intraday, and medium-frequency opportunities
- Analyze signal performance, strategy attribution, and model behavior to identify improvements as market conditions evolve
- Contribute to delta hedging, execution, and pricing research that improves trading performance across the firm
- Collaborate with traders and engineers to improve research infrastructure, simulation quality, and data pipelines
- Mentor junior researchers and help raise the quality and rigor of the research process
WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR
- 5+ years of experience in quantitative research, systematic trading, market making, or a closely related environment, with a demonstrated track record of developing signals, models, or analytics with measurable trading impact
- Strong statistical intuition and advanced Python proficiency, with hands-on experience working with large market datasets and designing rigorous backtests and simulations
- Deep understanding of market microstructure, execution, risk, and the practical challenges of moving research into production
- Ability to generate independent hypotheses and collaborate effectively with traders, researchers, and engineers
- Clear communicator with high ownership, intellectual curiosity, and a bias toward thorough, repeatable research
- Advanced degree in Statistics, Mathematics, Physics, Computer Science, or a related quantitative field preferred
Compensation
The salary range for this role is listed below. This role is also eligible for an annual discretionary bonus. The discretionary bonus will be dependent upon the individual’s skills, experience, qualifications, and firm performance.
Most teams at CTC, with the exception of Trading, follow a hybrid workplace model, subject to change based on business need.
Our Benefits
We strongly believe in the well-being of our employees and their families so we offer outstanding benefits to support you both professionally and personally. These benefits include generous time off, insurance coverage, paid parental leave, free breakfast and lunch (plus healthy snacks, of course), wellness reimbursement, and a variety of other benefits focused on providing the best employee experience.
(Disclaimer: interns and contractors are not eligible for benefits at CTC)
Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
At CTC, we aim to cultivate a workplace that celebrates diversity and each person feels included, engaged and empowered. Where each of us feels we belong. We are committed to having a diverse workforce and are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. CTC does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform crucial job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment.
If you have a disability and believe you need a reasonable accommodation in order to search for a job opening or to apply for a position, please contact us at [email protected]. Note that emails sent to this email account for non-disability related issues, such as following up on an application, will not receive a response.
Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Information submitted by job applicants may be subject to review and analysis by automated systems, including Artificial Intelligence (AI), as part of the recruitment process. Such systems are utilized to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of our hiring procedures. Applicants are advised that any information provided may be evaluated by AI tools to ensure an equitable and thorough assessment.
Chicago Trading Company Chicago, Illinois, USA Office
Chicago, IL, United States
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