Quantitative Researcher - PhD: 2027

Overview

At Susquehanna, quantitative researchers tackle challenging data and algorithmic problems that inform decision-making in global financial markets. Their work spans statistical inference, optimization, market microstructure, simulation, forecasting, and large-scale data analysis, drawing on a broad quantitative toolkit to develop new insights and approaches

As a Quantitative Researcher, you’ll blend strong research capabilities with a deep understanding of trading to design, validate, backtest, and implement statistical and advanced machine learning models. Your work will span large-scale data analysis, alpha signal research, and strategy performance enhancement. While there is some overlap with the Quantitative Systematic Trader role, quantitative researchers typically focus more on model development, robustness, and long-term reliability.

You’ll have access to Susquehanna’s extensive proprietary datasets and large-scale computing infrastructure—including a rapidly growing cluster of thousands of high-end GPUs—support computationally intensive research, large-scale simulation, and rapid experimentation. Researchers work in small, highly collaborative teams where ideas are debated openly, evidence guides decisions, and promising research can quickly produce practical impact.

What You Can Expect

• Modelling: Apply probability theory, statistical analysis, and machine learning techniques to build robust models and generate alphas
• Execution: Propose improvements to existing strategies and optimize how they perform in production
• Evaluation: Backtest ideas using historical market data and large-scale research clusters

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• Education: Participate in a comprehensive education program and receive personalized mentorship from senior professionals to accelerate your growth
• Collaboration: Work in an open environment where you’ll collaborate with systematic traders and technologists to push strategies into production
  
  

What We're Looking For

We’re looking for intellectually curious researchers who are energized by difficult quantitative problems and motivated by rigorous experimentation.

You May Be a Strong Fit If You Have

• A PhD, graduating by Summer 2027, or postdoctoral experience in computer science, economics, electrical engineering, mathematics, operations research, physics, statistics, or another highly quantitative discipline

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• A strong foundation in probability, statistics, optimization, numerical methods, or quantitative modeling
• Experience developing research code in Python and working with large datasets; experience with C++, scientific computing, or high-performance computing is a plus
• Excellent problem-solving skills and an interest in using quantitative models to understand complex systems
• Strong communication skills and an interest in collaborating with researchers, engineers, and traders to refine ideas through discussion and experimentation
• A track record of intellectual curiosity demonstrated through research, competitions, strategic games, or other analytical pursuits
• The ability to thrive in an environment that values creativity, evidence-based thinking, and continuous learning
  
  

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Visa sponsorship is available for this position.

By applying to this role, you will be automatically considered for the Quantitative Systematic Trader position. There is no need to apply to both positions to be considered for both.

Opportunities as a Quantitative Researcher and as a Quantitative Systematic Trader will be available in our Philadelphia and New York offices.

The annual base pay for this role is $300,000. Susquehanna considers factors such as scope and responsibilities of the position, work experience, education/training, key skills, as well as market and organizational considerations when extending an offer.

About Susquehanna

Susquehanna is a global quantitative trading firm powered by scientific rigor, curiosity, and innovation. Our culture is intellectually driven and highly collaborative, bringing together researchers, engineers, and traders to design and deploy impactful strategies in our systematic trading environment. To meet the unique challenges of global markets, Susquehanna applies machine learning and advanced quantitative research to vast datasets in order to uncover actionable insights and build effective strategies. By uniting deep market expertise with cutting-edge technology, we excel in solving complex problems and pushing boundaries together.

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