Quant Trading Associate - Options Theory Intensive

LinkedIn • Chicago, IL

8d • Onsite

About The Position

The Quant Trading Associate (QTA) is an entry-level role in CTC’s Trading and Quant organization. Associates work on a trading or quantitative team and gain broad exposure to the business while progressing through the Associate Program toward a potential role as a Quant Trader or Quant Researcher. The position involves identifying trading opportunities and contributing through trade execution, strategy formulation, back-testing, data analysis, and modeling and pricing financial derivatives. Associates communicate with traders, risk managers, software engineers, and quants throughout the trading day, and learn the trading and quantitative operation with the goal of generating trading revenue or supporting strategy development.

CTC provides formal classroom instruction, mock trading, and real-time practical exposure through an in-house education department. Training includes options pricing, theory, trading philosophies, and programming, as well as exposure to different product areas and responsibilities. Associates receive one-on-one mentorship, participate in data-driven research for alpha generation, and may have opportunities to grow quickly and make autonomous trading decisions. The role also includes exposure to technology through a combined trading and technology curriculum.

The posting also advertises a five-day Introduction to Options Theory Program, with four days of hands-on learning at CTC’s Chicago headquarters and an assessment day. Top performers may earn a final-round interview for the QTA role. Program travel, meals, and hotel accommodation are covered. Program participants must attend January 4–8, 2027, and plan to arrive the evening of January 3.

Requirements

• Be pursuing a bachelor’s or master’s degree; all majors and concentrations are welcome.
• Graduate between December 2026 and June 2027.
• Have a demonstrated record of success, such as academics or awards.
• Be willing to relocate to Chicago, Illinois.
• Have strong quantitative and analytical abilities.
• Be able to effectively communicate sophisticated ideas in writing and verbally.
• Have basic programming skills or a willingness to learn Python.
• Be highly motivated, competitive, collaborative, intellectually curious, and interested in solving complex problems.
• No prior finance experience is necessary; curiosity and eagerness to learn are essential.

Responsibilities

• Identify trading opportunities and contribute to a trading or quantitative team.
• Execute trades and contribute to strategy formulation and back-testing.
• Conduct data analysis and help model and price traded financial derivatives.
• Communicate with traders, risk managers, software engineers, and quants throughout the trading day.
• Learn the trading and quantitative operation while working toward a role that generates trading revenue or drives strategy development.
• Participate in data-driven research for alpha generation.
• Develop quantitative skills through classroom work, mock trading, and real-time practical exposure.

Benefits

• Annual discretionary bonus, dependent on individual skills, experience, qualifications, and firm performance.
• Comprehensive benefits package.
• Free breakfast and lunch, as well as healthy snacks.
• Fitness center membership.
• For the five-day Options Theory Intensive program: covered travel to Chicago, meals, and hotel accommodation.

What This Job Offers

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