At a Glance
- Tasks: Join a dynamic team to develop and evaluate quantitative trading strategies using advanced statistical techniques.
- Company: Innovative financial tech firm leading in algorithmic trading and systematic investing.
- Benefits: Gain hands-on experience, collaborate with experts, and enhance your analytical skills.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in finance while working on intellectually challenging problems.
- Qualifications: PhD student in Econometrics or Economics with strong programming skills in Python.
The predicted salary is between 25650 - 31350 £ per year.
iSAM is an innovative financial technology firm specialising in quantitative trading, comprised of iSAM Funds and iSAM Securities. iSAM Securities, regulated by the FCA, SFC, and CIMA, is a leading algorithmic trading firm and trusted electronic market maker, providing liquidity, technology, and prime services to institutional clients and trading venues globally. The firm offers full-service prime brokerage and execution via its cutting-edge proprietary technology, as well as market-leading analytics, cleared through the group’s bank Prime Brokers. iSAM Funds is an alternative asset manager specialising in systematic investing. Each strategy is unique, provides a specialist quantitative approach, and is designed to deliver highly diversifying absolute returns for institutional portfolios.
About the Role: We have a Quantitative Research role available within the Quantitative Research function of iSAM Funds, for PhD graduates in their final year of their Econometrics or Economics course who have strong quantitative ability. No prior industry experience is required—only intellectual curiosity, strong analytical ability, and a genuine eagerness to learn. As a PhD graduate, you will be fully embedded within your team and contribute meaningfully to live research and trading initiatives. The role is research-focused and involves applying advanced statistical and mathematical techniques to develop and evaluate quantitative signals and strategies.
Responsibilities: You will work as part of a collaborative research team, tackling complex and intellectually challenging problems. Responsibilities may include:
- Assisting in the research and development of systematic investment strategies
- Analysing large and complex financial datasets to identify signals, patterns, and risk characteristics
- Designing, implementing, and testing quantitative models using Python and relevant numerical and statistical libraries
- Documenting research methodologies and results, and presenting findings to senior researchers
- Collaborating closely with portfolio managers, quantitative researchers, and technologists
Qualifications: PhD student in Econometrics or Economics with expected completion in 2026 or 2027. Strong foundation in statistics and probability theory. Strong programming skills in Python. Experience handling large datasets. A strong interest in financial markets and systematic trading.
Personal Attributes: Highly analytical, with a strong sense of ownership and accountability. Collaborative and able to work effectively with researchers, technologists, and traders. Clear and concise communicator, both verbally and in writing. Comfortable working independently while knowing when to seek input from others.
Key Objectives: Developed a strong understanding of how quantitative research is conducted within a live trading environment. Contributed tangible research that informs or enhances existing trading strategies or research directions. Demonstrated the ability to translate complex mathematical or economic ideas into robust well-tested code. Gained hands-on experience working with large-scale financial data and research infrastructure. Built an understanding of the full research lifecycle, from idea generation and data analysis through to validation and presentation. Established effective working relationships within their team, contributing proactively and collaboratively to shared objectives. Strengthened problem-solving, communication, and technical skills in a fast-paced, intellectually rigorous setting.
Quantitative Research - PhD Graduate in London employer: iSAM Securities
iSAM is an exceptional employer for those seeking to thrive in the fast-paced world of quantitative trading. With a strong emphasis on collaboration and innovation, employees benefit from a dynamic work culture that fosters professional growth through hands-on experience with cutting-edge technology and complex financial strategies. Located in a vibrant financial hub, iSAM offers unique opportunities to engage with industry leaders while contributing to impactful projects that shape the future of algorithmic trading.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Quantitative Research - PhD Graduate in London
✨Join Data-Science Meetups
Get yourself along to local data-science meetups or workshops. They're goldmines for networking, and you'll learn from industry pros who might just point you in the direction of internships. Plus, discussing the latest trends with like-minded individuals can really amp up your game.
✨Utilise University Career Services
Check in with your uni's career services since they often have connections with companies looking for interns. They might even organise information sessions with firms, which can be a great chance for you to learn more about potential internships and make some key contacts.
✨Show Off Your Stuff on GitHub
If you're into data science, having a GitHub profile with your projects is essential. Make sure your portfolio is public and showcases your best work! Recruiters love to see your coding skills and problem-solving approach, and it’s a brilliant way to stand out.
✨Apply Directly on Our Website
Don’t forget to check out the internships listed on our site! It's always a good idea to apply directly through our website because it makes your application easier for our team to find, and you might just catch the hiring manager’s eye by showcasing exactly what you're passionate about in data science.
We think you need these skills to ace Quantitative Research - PhD Graduate in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Technical Skills:For a data science internship, we want to see those analytical skills shine! List your programming languages, like Python or R, and make sure to highlight any relevant projects or courses you've completed. If you've dabbled with tools like Pandas, NumPy, or machine learning algorithms, don’t hold back – include those in your CV!
Share Your Curiosity in Your Cover Letter:As an intern, your motivation and eagerness to learn are key! In your cover letter, talk about specific data science concepts that excite you and how this internship at iSAM Securities will help you grow. Share what you hope to achieve and how you plan to tackle real-world data problems - we love enthusiasm!
Include Any Relevant Certifications:If you've earned any certifications, such as from Coursera or DataCamp, make sure to include these in your application. They show us that you're proactive and committed to expanding your data science skillset. This could make a real difference in how we assess your application!
Keep It Relevant and Concise:Remember, as an intern, you don’t need to have decades of experience. Focus on showcasing relevant coursework, personal projects, or even related volunteer work in data science. Keep your CV and cover letter concise but impactful – we appreciate clear and straightforward communication!
How to prepare for a job interview at iSAM Securities
✨Brush Up on Your Coding Skills
As a data science intern, you might get grilled on your programming skills. Expect to tackle some coding challenges using languages like Python or R. We recommend practising basic algorithms or data manipulation tasks so you can show off your tech skills with confidence.
✨Show Off Your Projects
Prepare to discuss any projects you’ve done, whether in your studies or on your own time. Having a strong portfolio of data analyses or machine learning models will really set you apart. We can use platforms like GitHub to showcase your work to impress iSAM Securities.
✨Know Your Stats and ML Basics
Brush up on your statistics and machine learning concepts because interviewers love to dig into this! Be ready to explain your understanding of algorithms or how you would approach a given data problem. This will highlight your theoretical background alongside your practical skills.
✨Be Eager to Learn and Adapt
Internships are all about potential and growth. Make sure you convey your eagerness to learn and adapt to new tools or methodologies. Show iSAM Securities that you’re not just looking for experience, but that you're keen to contribute and grow within the team.