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- Tasks: Dive into quantitative research and tackle complex financial problems with a collaborative team.
- Company: Join iSAM, a leading fintech firm revolutionising algorithmic trading and systematic investing.
- Benefits: Gain hands-on experience, develop your skills, and contribute to real-world trading strategies.
- Other info: Exciting opportunity for growth in a dynamic, innovative environment.
- Why this job: Make an impact in the fast-paced world of finance while learning from industry experts.
- Qualifications: PhD student in a quantitative field with strong analytical and programming skills.
The predicted salary is between 20000 - 30000 £ 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: iSAM is offering Quantitative Research Internship opportunities for PhD students in their penultimate year of study in a quantitative discipline. These internships will take place during Summer 2026 and will run for 12 weeks. Roles are available across three key areas of the business:
- Quantitative Trading within iSAM Securities
- Quantitative Research within the iSAM Options desk
- Quantitative Research within iSAM Funds
No prior industry experience is required—only intellectual curiosity, strong analytical ability, and a genuine eagerness to learn. As an intern, 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 across multiple asset classes
- 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
- Supporting the backtesting, performance analysis, and validation of trading strategies
- Helping to maintain and enhance research infrastructure, tools, and data pipelines
- Clearly documenting research methodologies and results, and presenting findings to senior researchers
- Collaborating closely with portfolio managers, quantitative researchers, and technologists
- Investigating enhancements to existing strategies, including improvements to risk management and execution assumptions
Qualifications: PhD student in a quantitative field (e.g. Mathematics, Physics, Statistics, Computer Science), with expected completion in 2026 or 2027. Strong foundation in statistics and probability theory, with familiarity with machine learning techniques. Strong programming skills in Python (experience with libraries such as NumPy, Pandas, or similar is desirable). Experience working in a research-driven environment, including handling large datasets and developing algorithmic solutions to complex problems. A strong interest in financial markets and systematic trading (prior finance experience is not required).
Personal Attributes: Highly analytical, with a strong sense of ownership and accountability. Enjoys tackling complex problems and working through challenging mathematical or statistical questions. Collaborative and able to work effectively with researchers, technologists, and trading teams. Clear and concise communicator, both verbally and in writing. Comfortable working independently while knowing when to seek input from others.
Key Objectives: By the end of the internship, a successful candidate will have:
- Developed a strong understanding of how quantitative research is conducted within a live trading environment
- Contributed tangible research outputs that inform or enhance existing trading strategies or research directions
- Demonstrated the ability to translate complex mathematical and statistical 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
PhD Internship - Summer 2026 in London employer: iSAM
Contact Detail:
iSAM Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land PhD Internship - Summer 2026 in London
✨Network Like a Pro
Get out there and connect with people in the industry! Attend events, join online forums, or even reach out to alumni from your university. Building relationships can open doors that applications alone can't.
✨Show Off Your Skills
When you get the chance to chat with someone from iSAM, make sure to highlight your programming skills and any relevant projects you've worked on. Bring your A-game and be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their innovative approach!
✨Prepare for the Interview
Do your homework on iSAM and its trading strategies. Be ready to discuss how you can contribute to their research initiatives. Practise common interview questions and think about how your analytical skills can shine in a fast-paced environment.
✨Apply Through Our Website
Don't forget to apply directly through our website! It shows you're genuinely interested and makes it easier for us to track your application. Plus, you'll find all the latest opportunities right there!
We think you need these skills to ace PhD Internship - Summer 2026 in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with the role. Highlight your quantitative skills, programming experience, and any relevant projects or research you've done. We want to see how you fit into our innovative environment!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to express your enthusiasm for the internship and explain why you're a great fit for iSAM. Be sure to mention your intellectual curiosity and eagerness to learn—those traits are key for us!
Showcase Your Analytical Skills: In your application, don’t shy away from discussing complex problems you've tackled or datasets you've worked with. We love seeing how you approach challenges, so share specific examples that demonstrate your analytical prowess.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us quickly and efficiently. Plus, it shows you’re proactive and keen to join our team at iSAM!
How to prepare for a job interview at iSAM
✨Know Your Quantitative Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your statistics, probability theory, and any machine learning techniques you've encountered. Be ready to discuss how these concepts apply to financial markets and algorithmic trading, as this will show your genuine interest in the role.
✨Show Off Your Python Skills
Since programming in Python is key for this internship, prepare to talk about your experience with libraries like NumPy and Pandas. You might even want to bring a small project or example of code you've written to demonstrate your skills during the interview.
✨Be Ready to Tackle Complex Problems
Expect to face some challenging mathematical or statistical questions during the interview. Practice explaining your thought process clearly and concisely, as this will showcase your analytical abilities and problem-solving skills.
✨Communicate Clearly and Collaboratively
Since the role involves working closely with teams, practice articulating your ideas and findings. Highlight any past experiences where you collaborated effectively, and be prepared to discuss how you would approach teamwork in a research-driven environment.