At a Glance
- Tasks: Develop quantitative tools and back-test investment strategies in fixed income markets.
- Company: Join Vanguard, a leader in investment management with a commitment to fairness and inclusion.
- Benefits: Enjoy a hybrid working model, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with a focus on diversity and collaboration.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on how billions in assets are managed while collaborating with top experts.
- Qualifications: Master’s or PhD in STEM; strong coding skills and a passion for finance required.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 € per year.
You will work alongside senior quants and portfolio managers to develop quantitative tools, back-test investment strategies, and generate insights that directly influence how we manage billions in fixed income assets. Do you have a strong quantitative foundation and genuine curiosity about fixed income markets? Come join Vanguard’s Fixed Income Group as a Quantitative Research Analyst. We are looking for someone who combines rigorous mathematical and statistical thinking with an investor’s mindset — someone who doesn’t just build models but asks whether the signal makes investment sense and how it translates into portfolio decisions. This is a hands-on research role.
The ideal candidate brings solid math/stats training, strong coding skills, foundational knowledge of bond markets, and intellectual curiosity to connect quantitative research to real investment outcomes.
Core Responsibilities- Build and maintain quantitative portfolio construction, risk management, and signal research tools that support the fixed income investment process.
- Design, implement, and run backtests and scenario analyses for trading and allocation strategies; critically evaluate results with an investor’s lens (not just statistical significance, but economic rationale).
- Develop and enhance valuation, relative value, and risk models for fixed income instruments (government bonds, credit, derivatives, structured products).
- Conduct research on systematic signals — from macro factors to cross-sectional drivers — and communicate findings clearly to portfolio managers and traders.
- Gather, clean, and analyze large datasets (market data, fundamentals, flows, positioning) to surface actionable investment insights.
- Integrate with portfolio management and trading teams, contributing a quantitative perspective to daily market discussions and investment decisions.
- Participate in special projects and perform other duties as assigned.
- Master’s or PhD in a STEM discipline (Mathematics, Statistics, Physics, Financial Engineering, Economics, or related field). Strong candidates with a Bachelor’s degree and demonstrated quantitative depth will also be considered.
- Solid foundation in probability, statistics, time series analysis, and optimization. Familiarity with econometrics or machine learning methods is a plus.
- Understanding of fixed income products and bond math (duration, convexity, yield curve dynamics, spread analysis). CFA candidates or coursework in fixed income are preferred.
- Thinks like an investor: able to form views on markets, question model outputs, and connect quantitative results to portfolio implications. Intellectual curiosity about macro, rates, and credit markets.
- Proficiency in Python. Exposure to SQL and version control (Git) is helpful. Prior experience with Bloomberg or other market data platforms is a plus.
- 3+ years of relevant experience (internships, research assistantships, or early-career roles in quantitative finance, asset management, or related fields).
- Strong written and verbal communication skills; ability to distill complex quantitative concepts for a non-technical investment audience.
- Hybrid working model
- Vanguard is not offering sponsorship for this position.
Quantitative Research Analyst - Fixed Income, Specialist in London employer: The Vanguard Group
Vanguard is an exceptional employer that fosters a collaborative and inclusive work culture, empowering its crew to leverage their unique strengths in the pursuit of investment success. With a strong commitment to employee growth, Vanguard offers opportunities for professional development alongside experienced quants and portfolio managers, all within a hybrid working model that balances flexibility with in-person collaboration. Join us in a role where your quantitative skills will directly influence the management of billions in fixed income assets, while being part of a team that values diversity and innovation.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Quantitative Research Analyst - Fixed Income, Specialist in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees at Vanguard on LinkedIn. Ask them about their experiences and any tips they might have for landing the Quantitative Research Analyst role. Personal connections can make a huge difference!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by brushing up on your quantitative skills. Be ready to discuss your experience with back-testing strategies and how you’ve applied statistical methods in real-world scenarios. Show us that you can think like an investor!
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t just focus on your technical skills; highlight your curiosity about fixed income markets. Share insights or recent trends you’ve noticed in the market during interviews. This shows you’re not just a number cruncher but someone who’s genuinely interested in the field.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining Vanguard and contributing to our mission of serving investors.
We think you need these skills to ace Quantitative Research Analyst - Fixed Income, Specialist in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Quantitative Skills:Make sure to highlight your strong quantitative foundation in your application. We want to see how your mathematical and statistical thinking can contribute to our fixed income strategies, so don’t hold back on showcasing your skills!
Connect the Dots:When discussing your experience, try to connect your quantitative research to real investment outcomes. We love candidates who think like investors, so show us how your work translates into portfolio decisions and market insights.
Be Clear and Concise:Strong written communication is key! Make sure your application is clear and easy to read. We appreciate candidates who can distill complex concepts into simple terms, especially for a non-technical audience.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensure it gets the attention it deserves. We’re excited to see what you bring to the table!
How to prepare for a job interview at The Vanguard Group
✨Know Your Numbers
Brush up on your quantitative skills, especially in probability, statistics, and bond math. Be ready to discuss how these concepts apply to fixed income markets and investment strategies. Show them you can not only crunch numbers but also interpret what they mean for real-world investments.
✨Show Your Curiosity
Demonstrate your genuine interest in fixed income markets by asking insightful questions during the interview. This could be about recent market trends or specific strategies the team is using. It shows that you’re not just a number-cruncher but someone who thinks like an investor.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect technical questions related to coding, back-testing, and quantitative modelling. Brush up on Python and any relevant tools like SQL or Git. Practise explaining your thought process clearly, as communication is key in translating complex ideas to non-technical audiences.
✨Connect with the Team's Goals
Research Vanguard’s core values and mission. Be prepared to discuss how your skills and experiences align with their commitment to doing the right thing for investors. Showing that you understand and resonate with their culture can set you apart from other candidates.
