OPT Quantitative Analyst Jobs
Quantitative Analyst roles are among the most OPT-friendly positions in finance and tech. Firms filing H-1B visa and E-3 visa sponsorships regularly recruit OPT candidates with strong math and programming backgrounds. STEM OPT extension eligibility applies to most quant roles, giving you up to three years of work authorization to build your career.
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Morgan Stanley Investment Management (“MSIM”), together with its investment advisory affiliates, operates in 23 countries with $2 Tn in assets under management or supervision as of July 2026. Morgan Stanley Investment Management strives to provide outstanding long-term investment performance, service and a comprehensive suite of investment management solutions to a diverse client base, which includes governments, institutions, corporations and individuals worldwide.
We are seeking an Associate to join the Central Trading & Risk Management team of a multi-manager, market neutral equity hedge fund. The team partners directly with portfolio managers to optimize portfolio construction, manage risk, develop quantitative investment tools, and improve investment performance across the platform. This is a highly analytical role with broad exposure to the investment process, combining risk management, quantitative research, portfolio construction, and data analysis. This role provides a unique opportunity to influence investment decisions across multiple portfolio managers and strategies while helping shape the quantitative infrastructure of MSIM's flagship market-neutral equity platform.
Job Description
- Perform factor attribution and portfolio exposure analysis across managers and strategies.
- Develop and enhance portfolio construction and optimization methodologies.
- Research new alpha signals and evaluate interactions with portfolio positioning.
- Design quantitative tools supporting investment decision making.
- Conduct stress testing and scenario analysis across portfolios.
- Monitor fund-wide exposures across portfolios and identify concentrations or emerging risks.
- Partner with trading to improve execution and implementation efficiency.
- Monitor market developments and proactively communicate portfolio risks, opportunities, and positioning implications to portfolio managers and senior leadership.
- Analyze portfolio performance and attribute returns across factors, sectors, themes, and individual positions.
- Design and develop Python-based analytical tools, research infrastructure, and automation that improve portfolio analytics and investment workflows.
Qualifications
- 2-5 years of relevant job experience, preferably on the buy side in a multi-manager platform.
- Strong understanding of equity markets, equity index futures, and market-neutral portfolio construction.
- Experience with equity risk models, such as MSCI Barra, Axioma, or in-house models.
- Deep knowledge of statistical methods and quantitative techniques.
- Proficiency with Python and SQL.
- Experience working with large financial datasets and time series.
- Experience with portfolio optimization, stress testing, and simulations.
- Demonstrated interest in financial markets and a passion for quantitative investing.
- Excellent verbal communication and relationship management skills.
- Ability to work both independently and be a strong team contributor with proactive drive to deliver results.
- Outstanding attention to detail and committed to process and related improvements.
- Flexible, quick learner with the ability to multi-task.
- Advanced degree in quantitative discipline such as Mathematics, Statistics, Engineering, Computer Science, or a closely related field from an accredited university.
Ideal Candidate
The successful candidate is intellectually curious, collaborative, and enjoys solving complex investment problems using data and quantitative methods. They are equally comfortable building research tools, analyzing risk, and engaging with portfolio managers on investment decisions. They possess strong communication skills, thrive in a fast-paced investment environment, and can translate sophisticated quantitative analyses into actionable insights.
WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT FROM MORGAN STANLEY:
At Morgan Stanley, we raise, manage and allocate capital for our clients – helping them reach their goals. We do it in a way that’s differentiated – and we’ve done that for 90 years. Our values - putting clients first, doing the right thing, leading with exceptional ideas, committing to diversity and inclusion, and giving back - aren’t just beliefs, they guide the decisions we make every day to do what's best for our clients, communities and more than 80,000 employees in 1,200 offices across 42 countries. At Morgan Stanley, you’ll find an opportunity to work alongside the best and the brightest, in an environment where you are supported and empowered. Our teams are relentless collaborators and creative thinkers, fueled by their diverse backgrounds and experiences. We are proud to support our employees and their families at every point along their work-life journey, offering some of the most attractive and comprehensive employee benefits and perks in the industry. There’s also ample opportunity to move about the business for those who show passion and grit in their work.
Expected base pay rates for the role will be between $120,000 and $150,000 per year at the commencement of employment. However, base pay if hired will be determined on an individualized basis and is only part of the total compensation package, which, depending on the position, may also include commission earnings, incentive compensation, discretionary bonuses, other short and long-term incentive packages, and other Morgan Stanley sponsored benefit programs.
Morgan Stanley is an equal opportunity employer committed to building and maintaining a workforce that is diverse in experience and background. Our recruiting efforts reflect our strong commitment to a culture of inclusion, where individuals are hired, developed, and advanced based on their skills and talents.
Our workforce reflects a broad cross-section of the global communities in which we operate, bringing a variety of backgrounds, talents, perspectives, and experiences.
Description
Morgan Stanley Investment Management (“MSIM”), together with its investment advisory affiliates, operates in 23 countries with $2 Tn in assets under management or supervision as of July 2026. Morgan Stanley Investment Management strives to provide outstanding long-term investment performance, service and a comprehensive suite of investment management solutions to a diverse client base, which includes governments, institutions, corporations and individuals worldwide.
We are seeking an Associate to join the Central Trading & Risk Management team of a multi-manager, market neutral equity hedge fund. The team partners directly with portfolio managers to optimize portfolio construction, manage risk, develop quantitative investment tools, and improve investment performance across the platform. This is a highly analytical role with broad exposure to the investment process, combining risk management, quantitative research, portfolio construction, and data analysis. This role provides a unique opportunity to influence investment decisions across multiple portfolio managers and strategies while helping shape the quantitative infrastructure of MSIM's flagship market-neutral equity platform.
Job Description
- Perform factor attribution and portfolio exposure analysis across managers and strategies.
- Develop and enhance portfolio construction and optimization methodologies.
- Research new alpha signals and evaluate interactions with portfolio positioning.
- Design quantitative tools supporting investment decision making.
- Conduct stress testing and scenario analysis across portfolios.
- Monitor fund-wide exposures across portfolios and identify concentrations or emerging risks.
- Partner with trading to improve execution and implementation efficiency.
- Monitor market developments and proactively communicate portfolio risks, opportunities, and positioning implications to portfolio managers and senior leadership.
- Analyze portfolio performance and attribute returns across factors, sectors, themes, and individual positions.
- Design and develop Python-based analytical tools, research infrastructure, and automation that improve portfolio analytics and investment workflows.
Qualifications
- 2-5 years of relevant job experience, preferably on the buy side in a multi-manager platform.
- Strong understanding of equity markets, equity index futures, and market-neutral portfolio construction.
- Experience with equity risk models, such as MSCI Barra, Axioma, or in-house models.
- Deep knowledge of statistical methods and quantitative techniques.
- Proficiency with Python and SQL.
- Experience working with large financial datasets and time series.
- Experience with portfolio optimization, stress testing, and simulations.
- Demonstrated interest in financial markets and a passion for quantitative investing.
- Excellent verbal communication and relationship management skills.
- Ability to work both independently and be a strong team contributor with proactive drive to deliver results.
- Outstanding attention to detail and committed to process and related improvements.
- Flexible, quick learner with the ability to multi-task.
- Advanced degree in quantitative discipline such as Mathematics, Statistics, Engineering, Computer Science, or a closely related field from an accredited university.
Ideal Candidate
The successful candidate is intellectually curious, collaborative, and enjoys solving complex investment problems using data and quantitative methods. They are equally comfortable building research tools, analyzing risk, and engaging with portfolio managers on investment decisions. They possess strong communication skills, thrive in a fast-paced investment environment, and can translate sophisticated quantitative analyses into actionable insights.
WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT FROM MORGAN STANLEY:
At Morgan Stanley, we raise, manage and allocate capital for our clients – helping them reach their goals. We do it in a way that’s differentiated – and we’ve done that for 90 years. Our values - putting clients first, doing the right thing, leading with exceptional ideas, committing to diversity and inclusion, and giving back - aren’t just beliefs, they guide the decisions we make every day to do what's best for our clients, communities and more than 80,000 employees in 1,200 offices across 42 countries. At Morgan Stanley, you’ll find an opportunity to work alongside the best and the brightest, in an environment where you are supported and empowered. Our teams are relentless collaborators and creative thinkers, fueled by their diverse backgrounds and experiences. We are proud to support our employees and their families at every point along their work-life journey, offering some of the most attractive and comprehensive employee benefits and perks in the industry. There’s also ample opportunity to move about the business for those who show passion and grit in their work.
Expected base pay rates for the role will be between $120,000 and $150,000 per year at the commencement of employment. However, base pay if hired will be determined on an individualized basis and is only part of the total compensation package, which, depending on the position, may also include commission earnings, incentive compensation, discretionary bonuses, other short and long-term incentive packages, and other Morgan Stanley sponsored benefit programs.
Morgan Stanley is an equal opportunity employer committed to building and maintaining a workforce that is diverse in experience and background. Our recruiting efforts reflect our strong commitment to a culture of inclusion, where individuals are hired, developed, and advanced based on their skills and talents.
Our workforce reflects a broad cross-section of the global communities in which we operate, bringing a variety of backgrounds, talents, perspectives, and experiences.
See all 980+ OPT Quantitative Analyst Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Quantitative Analyst Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Quantitative Analyst
Target firms with a sponsorship track record
Hedge funds, investment banks, and quantitative trading firms file H-1B visa petitions regularly for quant roles. Focus your search on employers with documented OPT hiring history rather than firms where sponsorship is uncertain or rare.
Confirm your degree qualifies for STEM OPT
Most quant roles require a degree in mathematics, statistics, financial engineering, or computer science. These fields typically qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension, giving you three total years of work authorization after graduation.
Lead with technical skills, not visa status
Employers hiring quants prioritize Python, R, C++, and stochastic modeling skills. Frame your application around quantitative output and research experience first. Visa sponsorship becomes a secondary concern when your technical profile is strong.
Apply during OPT, not before authorization arrives
Your EAD card must arrive before you start work. Apply for OPT early enough that your card arrives by your target start date. Most quant hiring cycles move quickly, so timeline coordination with your DSO matters.
Highlight research output and model performance
Quant hiring managers evaluate candidates on measurable results. Include backtested strategy performance, published research, Kaggle rankings, or thesis work involving statistical modeling. Concrete outputs differentiate you from candidates with similar academic credentials.
Understand the H-1B cap and timing for quant roles
Most quant positions at hedge funds or banks are cap-subject H-1B roles. The lottery runs in March for an October start. Build your transition timeline around this window to avoid gaps between OPT expiration and H-1B activation.
Quantitative Analyst OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Do Quantitative Analyst roles qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
Most quant roles qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension, provided your degree is on the STEM Designated Degree Program list. Degrees in mathematics, statistics, financial engineering, applied economics, and computer science typically qualify. Confirm your specific CIP code with your DSO before applying for the extension, as the degree program determines eligibility, not the job title.
Which employers commonly sponsor OPT students for Quantitative Analyst positions?
Investment banks, hedge funds, quantitative trading firms, and asset managers regularly hire OPT students for quant roles and have established H-1B sponsorship processes. Firms with large quant research teams are generally more experienced with visa sponsorship logistics. Browse Migrate Mate to find Quantitative Analyst positions filtered specifically for OPT and visa sponsorship eligibility.
Can I work as a Quantitative Analyst on pre-completion OPT?
Yes, pre-completion OPT allows you to work in a role directly related to your degree before graduation. For quant roles, that means your position must connect to your field of study, such as applied mathematics, statistics, or financial engineering. You cannot exceed 20 hours per week during the academic term on pre-completion OPT.
What visa options are available after OPT expires for Quantitative Analysts?
The H-1B is the most common path for quant professionals, with an annual lottery in March for October start dates. Australian citizens may qualify for the E-3 visa, which has no lottery and is available year-round. Candidates with exceptional research records may qualify for the O-1A. Some quant roles at universities or nonprofit research institutions are cap-exempt and can file H-1B petitions outside the lottery.
How competitive is the job market for OPT students seeking Quantitative Analyst roles?
Quant roles are competitive for all candidates, but OPT students with strong technical skills in Python, C++, or R and demonstrated research experience are regularly hired at firms with active sponsorship programs. A quantitative degree from a well-regarded program improves your standing considerably. The STEM OPT extension gives you more runway than most visa categories, which sponsors view favorably when evaluating long-term hiring decisions.