Senior Quantitative Researcher, Options

Methodfi; City of London; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading financial services firm in London is looking for a Quantitative Researcher to advance systematic options trading strategies. This role requires expertise in options, strong analytical skills, and programming abilities in Python. Join a collaborative environment where you'll work closely with portfolio managers and potentially run your own desk. The firm offers competitive benefits, including health insurance and flexible sick time.

Benefits

Health insurance

Flexible sick time policy

Office Lunches

Qualifications

• Minimum of 4 years of quantitative research or trading experience in systematic trading.
• Deep expertise in options and derivatives pricing methods.
• Strong programming skills in Python for handling complex datasets.

Responsibilities

• Lead research on systematic options trading strategies.
• Collaborate to implement research into production systems.
• Enhance portfolio construction frameworks for options.

Skills

Quantitative research

Analytical skills

Problem-solving

Programming in Python

Communication

Education

Physics, Mathematics, Computer Science, Engineering or related degree

PhD in related field

Tools

Risk management frameworks

Statistical validation tools

Job description

We are looking for a Quantitative Researcher to join our Options stream. The role demands sharp analytical skills, a relentless commitment to excellence, and a passion for uncovering hidden patterns in the data, and prior experience in options. If you are driven by intellectual challenges and thrive in solving complex problems, this role offers an unparalleled opportunity.

Our team values determination, precision, and the ability to think critically and creatively. While the work is demanding, the rewards are significant, both in the impact of your contributions and the growth you’ll achieve in this collaborative and high-performance environment. We rely on people’s autonomy and provide freedom to create the best algorithms in finance, while truly being attentive to a fundamentally important asset - communication.

Location

London, UK (Hybrid mode with 3 days in-office requirement)

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the research and development of systematic options trading strategies across US and global markets.
• Apply advanced options pricing models, volatility surface modeling, and risk-neutral frameworks to generate alpha.
• Conduct rigorous backtesting, stress testing, and statistical validation of strategies.
• Collaborate with technologists to implement research into production-ready trading systems with robust execution.
• Enhance portfolio construction and risk management frameworks for options books.
• Contribute to the evolution of Teza’s options research platform, embedding innovation into live strategies.
• Mentor junior researchers and drive the continuous improvement of research practices, infrastructure, and tools.

Basic Requirements

• Physics, Mathematics, Computer Science, Engineering or other technical degree
• Math skills: statistics, linear algebra, optimization etc
• Minimum of 4 years of quantitative research or trading experience in systematic trading
• Deep expertise in options, including volatility surface, and derivatives pricing methods
• Strong programming skills in Python, with experience handling large, complex datasets
• Solid understanding of risk management principles in derivatives trading
• Ability to work effectively across research, trading, and technology teams
• Exceptional analytical, problem-solving, and critical-thinking skills

Nice to have Requirements

• Phd in Physics, Mathematics, Computer Science, Engineering or similar area
• Experience deploying systematic options strategies into production trading environments
• Familiarity with market microstructure and low-latency execution in derivatives
• Knowledge of machine learning techniques and their application to options trading
• Experience mentoring or leading a quant research team

What you’ll get

• On-site presence of experienced and skilled Portfolio Managers to brainstorm with
• Build Strategies while becoming the best at what you do with a potential to run your own desk and become a Portfolio Manager in no time
• CIO, CRO and executive team as your advisors

What makes you a match

• You are a stellar professional at what you do
• Difficult problems make you excited
• You have A LOT of passion and drive

Benefits

• Health insurance
• Flexible sick time policy
• Office Lunches