Quant Trading Associate - Options Theory Intensive

CTC Campus • Chicago, IL

8d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Quant Trading Associate (QTA) is an entry-level position in CTC’s Trading and Quant organization. Associates gain broad exposure to the business while working toward completing the Associate Program and moving into a Quant Trader or Quant Researcher role. As a member of a trading or quantitative team, the QTA helps identify trading opportunities and contributes through trade execution, strategy formulation, back-testing, data analysis, and modeling and pricing traded financial derivatives. The role involves communicating with traders, risk managers, software engineers, and quants throughout the trading day, and learning the full trading and quantitative operation. Associates work toward generating trading revenue or driving strategy development, with additional exposure to technology through a combined trading and technology curriculum.

CTC supports continuous learning through an in-house education department. Formal classroom instruction, mock trading, and real-time practical exposure provide an introduction to derivatives markets and help develop quantitative skills. Training includes options pricing, theory, trading philosophies, and programming, alongside exposure to different product areas, mentorship from senior employees, opportunities to make autonomous trading decisions, and participation in data-driven research for alpha generation.

This role is intended for driven, intellectually curious people who thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative environment. No prior finance experience is necessary. Candidates must be pursuing a bachelor’s or master’s degree, graduate between December 2026 and June 2027, have a demonstrated record of success, and be willing to relocate to Chicago, Illinois. The listed salary range is $200,000–$200,000, and the role is eligible for an annual discretionary bonus based on individual skills, experience, qualifications, and firm performance. Most CTC teams other than Trading follow a hybrid workplace model, subject to change based on business needs.

Requirements

• Pursuing a bachelor’s or master’s degree; all majors and concentrations are welcome.
• Expected graduation between December 2026 and June 2027.
• Demonstrated record of success, such as academics or awards.
• Willingness to relocate to Chicago, Illinois.
• Competitive drive and motivation to contribute within a collaborative team.
• Ability and interest in collaborating with traders, quants, developers, and other experts.
• Strong problem-solving skills and intellectual curiosity.
• Ability to communicate sophisticated ideas effectively in writing and verbally.
• Strong quantitative and analytical abilities.
• Basic programming skills or willingness to learn Python.
• No prior finance experience is necessary; curiosity and eagerness to learn are essential.

Responsibilities

• Identify trading opportunities as part of a trading or quantitative team.
• Contribute to trade execution, strategy formulation, back-testing, data analysis, and the modeling and pricing of traded financial derivatives.
• Communicate with traders, risk managers, software engineers, and quantitative professionals throughout the trading day.
• Learn the trading and quantitative operation and work toward generating trading revenue or driving strategy development.
• Participate in data-driven research for alpha generation.
• Develop trading, quantitative, and technology skills through classroom instruction, mock trading, practical exposure, and programming courses.

Benefits

• Competitive pay and comprehensive benefits package.
• Annual discretionary bonus, dependent on individual skills, experience, qualifications, and firm performance.
• Generous medical coverage.
• Paid parental leave.
• Free breakfast and lunch, plus healthy snacks.
• Wellness reimbursement.
• Quarterly recharge days.
• Fitness center membership.
• Travel to Chicago, meals, and hotel accommodation covered for participants in the 5-day Options Theory Intensive program.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level