Quantitative Research Analyst Jobs in Illinois
Quantitative Research Analyst jobs in Illinois are concentrated in finance, trading, and asset management, with Chicago standing as one of the most active markets in the country for quantitative talent at every level from entry-level analyst through senior researcher. Most hiring clusters in Chicago, Evanston, and the North Shore corridor, where firms like CME Group, Morningstar, and Citadel have long-established research operations. Risk modeling, algorithmic strategy development, and portfolio analytics are the most in-demand specialties across Illinois listings. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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AIR is seeking a Quantitative Research Associate to support applied research, evaluation, and technical assistance projects within the Human and Community Development program. Working as part of interdisciplinary project teams, the Research Associate will contribute to research and implementation efforts across a range of policy areas.
The Human and Community Development program generates evidence-informed solutions and fosters cross-sector collaboration. The Research Associate will contribute primarily to projects in one of the following portfolios, with opportunities to support work across both portfolios based on their skills, experience, and interests:
- Children & Families: Early childhood, early learning, child care, maternal and infant health, and child welfare.
- Safety & Justice: Violence prevention and intervention, youth and adult diversion services, wraparound facilities and reentry supports, and national defense and law enforcement readiness.
About AIR:
Founded in 1946 and headquartered in Arlington, Virginia, the American Institutes for Research (AIR) is a nonpartisan, not-for-profit organization that conducts behavioral and social science research and delivers technical assistance to address some of the most pressing challenges in the United States and globally. We generate evidence and apply data-driven solutions that expand opportunities and improve lives for all.
Responsibilities:
The responsibilities for the position include:
- Assist project teams in compiling and synthesizing information, including conducting literature reviews and policy scans.
- Participate in the collection and review of research and evaluation data.
- Analyze quantitative and qualitative research data and contribute to the interpretation and reporting of findings.
- Prepare documents, report sections, briefs, charts, and graphs that describe and interpret analysis findings.
- Support proposal writing and business development activities.
- Support project management activities, including developing project timelines, coordinating meetings, and tracking project progress.
Qualifications:
Education, Knowledge, and Experience
- Bachelor’s degree in the social sciences, statistics, data science, mathematics, or a closely related quantitative field with 2+ years of experience; or a Master’s degree in one of these fields.
- Experience conducting quantitative data collection.
- Experience managing and cleaning quantitative data.
- Experience using quantitative data analysis software, such as Stata or R.
Skills
- Familiarity with data management, cleaning, analysis, and collaborative coding in R and/or Stata.
- Familiarity with administrative data.
- Attention to detail and commitment to accuracy in data collection and report writing.
- Creative and independent approach to problem-solving and answering questions with quantitative data.
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of a team.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite.
- Effective communication skills and the ability to collaborate efficiently in a virtual work environment.
- Excellent organizational and time-management skills.
Disclosures: Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the U.S. on a full-time basis. Employment-based visa sponsorship (including H-1B sponsorship) is not available for this position. Depending on project work, qualified candidates may need to meet certain residency requirements.
American Institutes for Research is an equal employment opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without discrimination on the basis of any characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local law, including, but not limited to, actual or perceived race (including traits historically associated with race, such as hair texture, hair type, and protective hairstyles such as braid, locs, and twists), creed, color, religion, alienage or national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, physical or mental disability, medical condition (e.g., cancer), sex, gender, gender identity or expression (including transgender status), sexual orientation, marital status, civil union status, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, genetic information, or military or veteran status. AIR adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo reference and background checks. AIR maintains a drug-free work environment.
ACCESSIBILITY NOTICE: If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process due to a physical or mental disability, please send an email to Taliba Boone at tboone@air.org or call 202.403.5000.
Fraudulent Job Scams Warning & Disclaimer: AIR is aware of individuals falsely presenting themselves as AIR representatives. Fraudulent job scams seek to extract sensitive information or money from victims. To protect yourself, please be aware that AIR recruitment will only email you from an “@air.org” domain. Please take extra caution while examining the email address, for example jdoe@air.org is correct and jdoe@aircareers.org is not a legitimate AIR email address. If you are unsure of the legitimacy of a communication you have received, please reach out to recruitment@air.org. If you see a job scam, or lose money to one, report it to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. You can also report it to your state attorney general. Find out more about how to avoid scams at ftc.gov/scams.
#LI-DP1 #LI-REMOTE
AIR’s Total Rewards Program, is designed to reward our staff competitively and motivate them to achieve our critical mission. This position offers the anticipated annual salary as listed. Salary offers are made based on internal equity within the institution and external equity with competitive markets. Please note this is the annual salary range for candidates that are based in the United States.
Anticipated Hourly Rate Range
$31 - $35 USD
AIR is seeking a Quantitative Research Associate to support applied research, evaluation, and technical assistance projects within the Human and Community Development program. Working as part of interdisciplinary project teams, the Research Associate will contribute to research and implementation efforts across a range of policy areas.
The Human and Community Development program generates evidence-informed solutions and fosters cross-sector collaboration. The Research Associate will contribute primarily to projects in one of the following portfolios, with opportunities to support work across both portfolios based on their skills, experience, and interests:
- Children & Families: Early childhood, early learning, child care, maternal and infant health, and child welfare.
- Safety & Justice: Violence prevention and intervention, youth and adult diversion services, wraparound facilities and reentry supports, and national defense and law enforcement readiness.
About AIR:
Founded in 1946 and headquartered in Arlington, Virginia, the American Institutes for Research (AIR) is a nonpartisan, not-for-profit organization that conducts behavioral and social science research and delivers technical assistance to address some of the most pressing challenges in the United States and globally. We generate evidence and apply data-driven solutions that expand opportunities and improve lives for all.
Responsibilities:
The responsibilities for the position include:
- Assist project teams in compiling and synthesizing information, including conducting literature reviews and policy scans.
- Participate in the collection and review of research and evaluation data.
- Analyze quantitative and qualitative research data and contribute to the interpretation and reporting of findings.
- Prepare documents, report sections, briefs, charts, and graphs that describe and interpret analysis findings.
- Support proposal writing and business development activities.
- Support project management activities, including developing project timelines, coordinating meetings, and tracking project progress.
Qualifications:
Education, Knowledge, and Experience
- Bachelor’s degree in the social sciences, statistics, data science, mathematics, or a closely related quantitative field with 2+ years of experience; or a Master’s degree in one of these fields.
- Experience conducting quantitative data collection.
- Experience managing and cleaning quantitative data.
- Experience using quantitative data analysis software, such as Stata or R.
Skills
- Familiarity with data management, cleaning, analysis, and collaborative coding in R and/or Stata.
- Familiarity with administrative data.
- Attention to detail and commitment to accuracy in data collection and report writing.
- Creative and independent approach to problem-solving and answering questions with quantitative data.
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of a team.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite.
- Effective communication skills and the ability to collaborate efficiently in a virtual work environment.
- Excellent organizational and time-management skills.
Disclosures: Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the U.S. on a full-time basis. Employment-based visa sponsorship (including H-1B sponsorship) is not available for this position. Depending on project work, qualified candidates may need to meet certain residency requirements.
American Institutes for Research is an equal employment opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without discrimination on the basis of any characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local law, including, but not limited to, actual or perceived race (including traits historically associated with race, such as hair texture, hair type, and protective hairstyles such as braid, locs, and twists), creed, color, religion, alienage or national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, physical or mental disability, medical condition (e.g., cancer), sex, gender, gender identity or expression (including transgender status), sexual orientation, marital status, civil union status, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, genetic information, or military or veteran status. AIR adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo reference and background checks. AIR maintains a drug-free work environment.
ACCESSIBILITY NOTICE: If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process due to a physical or mental disability, please send an email to Taliba Boone at tboone@air.org or call 202.403.5000.
Fraudulent Job Scams Warning & Disclaimer: AIR is aware of individuals falsely presenting themselves as AIR representatives. Fraudulent job scams seek to extract sensitive information or money from victims. To protect yourself, please be aware that AIR recruitment will only email you from an “@air.org” domain. Please take extra caution while examining the email address, for example jdoe@air.org is correct and jdoe@aircareers.org is not a legitimate AIR email address. If you are unsure of the legitimacy of a communication you have received, please reach out to recruitment@air.org. If you see a job scam, or lose money to one, report it to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. You can also report it to your state attorney general. Find out more about how to avoid scams at ftc.gov/scams.
#LI-DP1 #LI-REMOTE
AIR’s Total Rewards Program, is designed to reward our staff competitively and motivate them to achieve our critical mission. This position offers the anticipated annual salary as listed. Salary offers are made based on internal equity within the institution and external equity with competitive markets. Please note this is the annual salary range for candidates that are based in the United States.
Anticipated Hourly Rate Range
$31 - $35 USD
See All 11 Quantitative Research Analyst Jobs in Illinois
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Find JobsQuantitative Research Analyst Jobs by City in Illinois
Where Illinois roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Quantitative Research Analyst Job Market in Illinois
A snapshot from current Illinois openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Investment & Asset Management
What Illinois Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in quantitative research analyst jobs across Illinois.
- Bachelor's or advanced degree in mathematics, statistics, financial engineering, or a related quantitative field
- Proficiency in Python, R, or MATLAB for statistical modeling and data analysis
- Experience building and validating quantitative models in finance, trading, or risk management
- Strong command of probability theory, stochastic calculus, or econometric methods
- Familiarity with SQL and large-scale financial datasets or market data systems
- Effective written and verbal communication skills for presenting model findings to stakeholders
Quantitative Research Analyst Jobs in Illinois: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a quantitative research analyst in Illinois?
Most Illinois employers require at least a bachelor's degree in a quantitative discipline such as mathematics, statistics, physics, computer science, or financial engineering, with many research roles at Chicago-area firms preferring a master's or doctoral degree. Illinois does not issue a state license for this role. Candidates strengthen their profile through the CFA credential, the Financial Risk Manager designation offered by GARP, or demonstrated research experience through published work, internships at Chicago trading firms, or academic research projects.
How much do quantitative research analysts make in Illinois?
Quantitative research analysts in Illinois earn a median of about $81,180 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $50,240 for the lowest 10% to over $147,230 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire quantitative research analysts in Illinois?
Employers hiring quantitative research analysts in Illinois right now include Chicago Trading Company, American Institutes for Research, and AKUNA CAPITAL, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Chicago's deep concentration of proprietary trading firms, asset managers, and financial technology companies makes Illinois one of the most consistent states for quantitative research hiring throughout the year.
Which Illinois cities have the most quantitative research analyst jobs?
Chicago account for the largest share of quantitative research analyst openings in Illinois. Chicago drives the overwhelming majority of demand, anchored by its global derivatives markets and the concentration of hedge funds, proprietary trading firms, and financial technology companies headquartered downtown and along the North Michigan Avenue corridor, while Evanston and surrounding suburbs see additional openings tied to Northwestern University's financial research partnerships and mid-size asset managers.
Are there remote quantitative research analyst jobs in Illinois?
Yes, and more than most fields. About 67% of quantitative research analyst openings tied to Illinois are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting the desk-based and model-driven nature of the work. Research-focused and strategy roles tend to offer the most remote flexibility, while positions requiring close collaboration with trading desks or real-time risk teams are more likely to require on-site presence in Chicago.
How can I get hired as a quantitative research analyst in Illinois with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is a quantitative internship or rotational program at a Chicago-area firm during or immediately after graduate school, as firms like CME Group, Morningstar, and several proprietary trading houses run structured programs for candidates without full-time experience. Lateral moves from data analyst, actuarial analyst, or financial analyst roles provide a credible bridge. Building a portfolio of independent modeling projects in Python or R and earning the CFA Level I designation signals readiness to Illinois hiring managers evaluating candidates with limited professional history.
Where can I find and apply to quantitative research analyst jobs in Illinois?
You can find and apply to quantitative research analyst jobs in Illinois on Migrate Mate, which lists current Illinois openings across Chicago and the broader state. Find roles that fit your background and apply directly to the employers posting them.
See All 11 Quantitative Research Analyst Jobs in Illinois
Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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