H-1B Visa Senior Quantitative Researcher Jobs
Senior Quantitative Researcher roles sit squarely within H-1B visa specialty occupation criteria, requiring at least a bachelor's degree in mathematics, statistics, financial engineering, or a directly related quantitative field. Hedge funds, asset managers, and tech firms with active LCA filing histories are your strongest targets for H-1B sponsorship in this discipline.
Find H-1B Visa Senior Quantitative Researcher JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 16+ Senior Quantitative Researcher jobs
See all Senior Quantitative Researcher Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Senior Quantitative Researcher roles.
Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
Chicago Trading Company (CTC) is a premier proprietary trading firm specializing in options market making. Our collaborative culture fuels innovation in quantitative research, systematic trading strategies, and cutting-edge trading technology. For over three decades CTC has provided critical liquidity across derivatives exchanges worldwide - making them fairer, more transparent, and more efficient. We strive to be the most innovative firm in the industry today, tomorrow, and long into the future while upholding ethical excellence. We believe that CTC makes a positive impact on the markets, the lives of our employees, and all the communities to which we belong. Started in 1995 by a team of forward-thinking Traders, we are proud to call ourselves an industry leader that keeps making markets and each other better. We are seeking a Senior Quantitative Researcher to join a growing delta-one systematic trading team. This role is focused on alpha research, signal development, and model building across liquid futures and related products, spanning time horizons from high-frequency microstructure to medium-frequency cross-product alpha. The ideal candidate brings deep statistical and empirical research skills with a demonstrated ability to develop, evaluate, and deploy systematic signals and models that generate durable trading edge. This is an opportunity to work directly on high-impact research problems across multiple products and time horizons, partnering closely with traders, researchers, and engineers to translate research into live trading impact.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Lead alpha research across delta-one products — from signal ideation and backtesting through strategy iteration, production handoff, and ongoing monitoring
Develop predictive signals and models spanning high-frequency microstructure, intraday, and medium-frequency opportunities
Analyze signal performance, strategy attribution, and model behavior to identify improvements as market conditions evolve
Contribute to delta hedging, execution, and pricing research that improves trading performance across the firm
Collaborate with traders and engineers to improve research infrastructure, simulation quality, and data pipelines
Mentor junior researchers and help raise the quality and rigor of the research process
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
5+ years of experience in quantitative research, systematic trading, market making, or a closely related environment, with a demonstrated track record of developing signals, models, or analytics with measurable trading impact
Strong statistical intuition and advanced Python proficiency, with hands-on experience working with large market datasets and designing rigorous backtests and simulations
Deep understanding of market microstructure, execution, risk, and the practical challenges of moving research into production
Ability to generate independent hypotheses and collaborate effectively with traders, researchers, and engineers
Clear communicator with high ownership, intellectual curiosity, and a bias toward thorough, repeatable research
Advanced degree in Statistics, Mathematics, Physics, Computer Science, or a related quantitative field preferred
COMPENSATION
The salary range for this role is listed below. This role is also eligible for an annual discretionary bonus. The discretionary bonus will be dependent upon the individual’s skills, experience, qualifications, and firm performance.
Salary Range: $225,000—$250,000 USD
Most teams at CTC, with the exception of Trading, follow a hybrid workplace model, subject to change based on business need.
OUR BENEFITS
We strongly believe in the well-being of our employees and their families so we offer outstanding benefits to support you both professionally and personally. These benefits include generous time off, insurance coverage, paid parental leave, free breakfast and lunch (plus healthy snacks, of course), wellness reimbursement, and a variety of other benefits focused on providing the best employee experience. (Disclaimer: interns and contractors are not eligible for benefits at CTC)
OUR COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION
At CTC, we aim to cultivate a workplace that celebrates diversity and each person feels included, engaged and empowered. Where each of us feels we belong. We are committed to having a diverse workforce and are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. CTC does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform crucial job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. If you have a disability and believe you need a reasonable accommodation in order to search for a job opening or to apply for a position, please contact us at info@chicagotrading.com. Note that emails sent to this email account for non-disability related issues, such as following up on an application, will not receive a response.
USE OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI)
Information submitted by job applicants may be subject to review and analysis by automated systems, including Artificial Intelligence (AI), as part of the recruitment process. Such systems are utilized to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of our hiring procedures. Applicants are advised that any information provided may be evaluated by AI tools to ensure an equitable and thorough assessment.
COMPENSATION
The salary range for this role is listed below. This role is also eligible for an annual discretionary bonus. The discretionary bonus will be dependent upon the individual’s skills, experience, qualifications, and firm performance.
INTRODUCTION
Chicago Trading Company (CTC) is a premier proprietary trading firm specializing in options market making. Our collaborative culture fuels innovation in quantitative research, systematic trading strategies, and cutting-edge trading technology. For over three decades CTC has provided critical liquidity across derivatives exchanges worldwide - making them fairer, more transparent, and more efficient. We strive to be the most innovative firm in the industry today, tomorrow, and long into the future while upholding ethical excellence. We believe that CTC makes a positive impact on the markets, the lives of our employees, and all the communities to which we belong. Started in 1995 by a team of forward-thinking Traders, we are proud to call ourselves an industry leader that keeps making markets and each other better. We are seeking a Senior Quantitative Researcher to join a growing delta-one systematic trading team. This role is focused on alpha research, signal development, and model building across liquid futures and related products, spanning time horizons from high-frequency microstructure to medium-frequency cross-product alpha. The ideal candidate brings deep statistical and empirical research skills with a demonstrated ability to develop, evaluate, and deploy systematic signals and models that generate durable trading edge. This is an opportunity to work directly on high-impact research problems across multiple products and time horizons, partnering closely with traders, researchers, and engineers to translate research into live trading impact.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Lead alpha research across delta-one products — from signal ideation and backtesting through strategy iteration, production handoff, and ongoing monitoring
Develop predictive signals and models spanning high-frequency microstructure, intraday, and medium-frequency opportunities
Analyze signal performance, strategy attribution, and model behavior to identify improvements as market conditions evolve
Contribute to delta hedging, execution, and pricing research that improves trading performance across the firm
Collaborate with traders and engineers to improve research infrastructure, simulation quality, and data pipelines
Mentor junior researchers and help raise the quality and rigor of the research process
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
5+ years of experience in quantitative research, systematic trading, market making, or a closely related environment, with a demonstrated track record of developing signals, models, or analytics with measurable trading impact
Strong statistical intuition and advanced Python proficiency, with hands-on experience working with large market datasets and designing rigorous backtests and simulations
Deep understanding of market microstructure, execution, risk, and the practical challenges of moving research into production
Ability to generate independent hypotheses and collaborate effectively with traders, researchers, and engineers
Clear communicator with high ownership, intellectual curiosity, and a bias toward thorough, repeatable research
Advanced degree in Statistics, Mathematics, Physics, Computer Science, or a related quantitative field preferred
COMPENSATION
The salary range for this role is listed below. This role is also eligible for an annual discretionary bonus. The discretionary bonus will be dependent upon the individual’s skills, experience, qualifications, and firm performance.
Salary Range: $225,000—$250,000 USD
Most teams at CTC, with the exception of Trading, follow a hybrid workplace model, subject to change based on business need.
OUR BENEFITS
We strongly believe in the well-being of our employees and their families so we offer outstanding benefits to support you both professionally and personally. These benefits include generous time off, insurance coverage, paid parental leave, free breakfast and lunch (plus healthy snacks, of course), wellness reimbursement, and a variety of other benefits focused on providing the best employee experience. (Disclaimer: interns and contractors are not eligible for benefits at CTC)
OUR COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION
At CTC, we aim to cultivate a workplace that celebrates diversity and each person feels included, engaged and empowered. Where each of us feels we belong. We are committed to having a diverse workforce and are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. CTC does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform crucial job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. If you have a disability and believe you need a reasonable accommodation in order to search for a job opening or to apply for a position, please contact us at info@chicagotrading.com. Note that emails sent to this email account for non-disability related issues, such as following up on an application, will not receive a response.
USE OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI)
Information submitted by job applicants may be subject to review and analysis by automated systems, including Artificial Intelligence (AI), as part of the recruitment process. Such systems are utilized to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of our hiring procedures. Applicants are advised that any information provided may be evaluated by AI tools to ensure an equitable and thorough assessment.
COMPENSATION
The salary range for this role is listed below. This role is also eligible for an annual discretionary bonus. The discretionary bonus will be dependent upon the individual’s skills, experience, qualifications, and firm performance.
See all H-1B Visa Senior Quantitative Researcher Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new H-1B Visa Senior Quantitative Researcher Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding H-1B Visa Sponsorship in Senior Quantitative Researcher
Align your degree to the role
USCIS scrutinizes whether your specific degree field matches the quantitative research role. A degree in applied mathematics, financial engineering, or statistics maps cleanly. A general business degree won't, even if you've worked in quant roles for years.
Search LCA filings for quant employers
Use Migrate Mate to filter employers by H-1B LCA filings for quantitative research job titles. DOL Labor Condition Application disclosure data shows which firms have actually sponsored this role, not just which ones say they're open to it.
Pull prevailing wage before salary talks
Run your target job's SOC code through the OFLC Wage Search before any compensation negotiation. Your employer must certify the offered wage meets the prevailing wage on the LCA, so knowing Level III or IV thresholds lets you benchmark offers accurately.
Verify the role qualifies under O*NET
Check the O*NET profile for your specific quant research title to confirm it's classified as a Job Zone 4 or 5 specialty occupation. Officers sometimes issue RFEs for roles where the degree requirement isn't clearly documented in the official classification.
Time your filing around the cap and lottery
H-1B cap registrations open in March for an October 1 start date. If you're currently on OPT or STEM OPT, confirm your employer files before your EAD expires and that cap-gap coverage will bridge any gap between your OPT end date and October 1.
Request an employer's cap-exempt status upfront
Some quant research roles at universities, nonprofits attached to research institutions, or government-affiliated labs are cap-exempt, meaning no lottery. Ask whether the organization qualifies under INA Section 214(g)(5) before assuming you need to enter the annual registration.
H-1B Visa Senior Quantitative Researcher: Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Senior Quantitative Researcher role qualify as an H-1B specialty occupation?
Yes, Senior Quantitative Researcher consistently qualifies as a specialty occupation because the role requires at minimum a bachelor's degree in a directly related quantitative field such as mathematics, statistics, physics, or financial engineering. USCIS evaluates whether the specific degree field aligns with the role's duties, so employers should document that requirement clearly in the LCA and I-129 petition to reduce RFE risk.
Which employers most actively sponsor H-1B visas for quantitative researchers?
Hedge funds, proprietary trading firms, large asset managers, and quantitative-heavy tech companies account for the majority of H-1B LCA filings for this role. You can browse verified employers with active quant research filings on Migrate Mate, which surfaces DOL Labor Condition Application data so you can see sponsorship history before applying.
Can my employer use premium processing for an H-1B Senior Quantitative Researcher petition?
Yes. Employers can file Form I-907 to request premium processing, which requires USCIS to act on the petition within 15 business days. For time-sensitive quant research hires, especially at hedge funds with specific project start dates, premium processing is common. It doesn't affect approval odds, only processing speed.
What happens if my H-1B lottery registration isn't selected?
If your registration isn't selected, you have several options depending on your current status. F-1 holders may extend on STEM OPT if they haven't exhausted the 24-month extension. O-1A visas are a realistic path for senior quant researchers with publications, patents, or documented high compensation. Some quant roles at universities or affiliated research nonprofits are cap-exempt and bypass the lottery entirely.
How does prevailing wage affect H-1B sponsorship for this role?
Your employer must certify on the LCA that your offered salary meets or exceeds the DOL prevailing wage for your job title, level, and work location. Senior Quantitative Researcher typically maps to a Level III or Level IV wage tier, which reflects senior or fully competent experience. Use the OFLC Wage Search to verify the applicable threshold for your metro area before finalizing your offer.