At a Glance
- Tasks: Research and design alpha signals for cash equities strategies in a collaborative team.
- Company: High-performing, research-led equities stat arb team based in London.
- Benefits: Visa sponsorship available, strong engineering support, and real ownership of projects.
- Other info: Exciting opportunity for mid to senior-level researchers seeking genuine signal ownership.
- Why this job: Join a lean team where your work directly impacts performance and profit.
- Qualifications: 5-15 years in systematic equity research with strong programming skills in Python.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.
A high-performing, research-led, collaborative, equities stat arb team in London is hiring a Quant Researcher to become the number 2 and drive alpha and signal generation. This is a rare chance to join a lean pod where researchers have real ownership, strong engineering support around them, and a clear mandate across cash equities.
Scope
- Research, design, and validate alpha signals for cash equities stat arb strategies
- Build robust feature sets from market, fundamental, and alternative datasets
- Run disciplined backtesting and statistical validation to avoid overfitting
- Translate research into production-ready signals in collaboration with engineering
- Monitor live performance and iterate on signals as market regimes shift
- Contribute to idea generation and the team’s evolving research framework
Ideal profile
- 5-15 years of experience in systematic equity research
- Strong statistical intuition and a rigorous research process (hypothesis, testing, validation)
- Solid programming skills (Python required; familiarity with research-to-production workflows is a plus)
- Experience working with equities data and market microstructure awareness preferred
- Candidates from prop trading environments are interesting, but top long-only / fundamental researchers with a systematic mindset are also of interest
- Comfort working in a small, high-accountability team where your work has visible impact
Nice to have
- Single-stock research exposure with a clear, testable signal mindset
- Experience with factor research, statistical arbitrage, or systematic equities strategies
- Familiarity with portfolio construction concepts and risk-aware signal development
Logistics
- London-based role, on-site
- No remote / overseas-based working
- Hiring timeline: next 1 to 2 months
If you’re a mid to senior-level researcher who wants genuine signal ownership and a direct line between your work and PnL, this is the kind of seat that doesn’t come up often.
Quant Researcher - No.2 for a Collaborative Cash Equities Team with upside - daily to monthly h[...] in London employer: J K Barnes
Join a high-performing, research-led team in London where you will have the opportunity to take ownership of your work and drive alpha generation in a collaborative environment. With strong engineering support and a clear mandate, this role offers not only competitive compensation but also significant opportunities for professional growth and development within a dynamic market. Experience the unique advantage of working in a lean pod where your contributions directly impact performance and strategy.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Quant Researcher - No.2 for a Collaborative Cash Equities Team with upside - daily to monthly h[...] in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current employees in the team or similar roles on LinkedIn. A friendly chat can give you insider info and might just get your foot in the door.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Prepare a mini-project or case study that showcases your statistical intuition and programming prowess. Bring it up during interviews to demonstrate your hands-on experience.
✨Tip Number 3
Stay updated on market trends and recent research in equities. Being able to discuss current events and their implications shows you're not just a number cruncher but a passionate researcher.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take that extra step to connect with us directly.
We think you need these skills to ace Quant Researcher - No.2 for a Collaborative Cash Equities Team with upside - daily to monthly h[...] in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Research:When writing your application, let us see your enthusiasm for quantitative research. Share specific examples of your past work that highlight your statistical intuition and rigorous research process. We love candidates who can demonstrate a genuine interest in driving alpha and signal generation!
Tailor Your Skills to the Role:Make sure to align your skills with what we're looking for in a Quant Researcher. Highlight your programming skills, especially in Python, and any experience you have with equities data. We want to see how your background fits into our collaborative cash equities team!
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language to describe your experiences and achievements. We appreciate candidates who can communicate complex ideas simply, as this reflects the clarity we value in our research processes.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! This helps us keep everything organised and ensures your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, it’s the best way to show us you’re serious about joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at J K Barnes
✨Know Your Signals
Make sure you can discuss your previous work on alpha signals in detail. Be prepared to explain your research process, the statistical methods you used, and how you validated your findings. This shows that you have a strong grasp of the technical aspects required for the role.
✨Showcase Your Programming Skills
Since Python is a must-have, brush up on your coding skills before the interview. You might be asked to solve a problem or explain your code. Bring examples of your past projects where you translated research into production-ready signals to demonstrate your capabilities.
✨Understand Market Microstructure
Familiarise yourself with market microstructure concepts as they relate to equities. Being able to discuss how these concepts influence your research and signal generation will set you apart from other candidates. It shows you’re not just a number cruncher but someone who understands the bigger picture.
✨Emphasise Team Collaboration
This role is all about working in a small, high-accountability team. Be ready to share examples of how you've collaborated with others in the past, especially in a research context. Highlighting your ability to contribute to idea generation and adapt to team dynamics will resonate well with the interviewers.
