STEM OPT Quantitative Research Analyst Jobs
Quantitative Research Analyst roles sit squarely within STEM-designated fields, making them strong fits for F-1 students seeking the 24-month STEM OPT extension. Your employer must be enrolled in E-Verify, and your degree in mathematics, statistics, computer science, or a related STEM field must map to an eligible CIP code to qualify.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
The Credit Automated Trading team builds the models, systems and AI-driven tools that underpin our highly successful automated trading business. This business covers a range of global products from corporate bonds and portfolio trades to fixed income ETFs and credit futures. We are looking for a researcher to work with us at the frontier of algorithmic credit trading, developing new ways to manage risk, predict liquidity, and trade at scale.
As a strategist on the team, you will do far more than research in isolation. You will design, develop, and deploy automated trading solutions. You will work closely with traders and technology partners, contribute directly to desk performance, and take ideas from concept to production. You will have access to a set of leading AI tools to assist you in your pursuit of ever better models. Research is essential, but delivery is what defines success.
We are looking for someone creative, driven, and self-directed. This means taking ownership, challenging assumptions, and pushing ideas until they are fully implemented. We value people who are practical about using AI and modern tools to move faster and make better decisions. Success is measured by improvements in model performance, pricing accuracy, and impact on trading outcomes. If you enjoy solving hard modelling problems, working with imperfect data, and seeing your work deployed, you will feel at home.
Responsibilities
- Use modern analytical tools and LLMs to improve models, speed up development, and idea generation across the desk.
- Develop and improve real-time pricing models for tens of thousands of corporate and sovereign bonds with limited and noisy input of market data.
- Identify patterns and factors driving trading flow, liquidity and market behavior and translate them into actionable signals.
- Own initiatives across the full lifecycle of electronic trading from research, modelling and back-testing to deployment and continuous performance improvement.
- Partner closely with bookrunners, strats and technology to deliver solutions.
- Enhance our back-testing and research framework to accelerate idea generation.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- 2–5 years of experience in a quantitative role.
- Advanced degree (PhD, Master or equivalent) in quantitative fields such as math, statistics.
- Experience applying modern technologies, including AI, to solve quantitative and modelling problems.
- Solid understanding of probability, statistics, machine learning, and optimization.
- Proficiency in Python. Familiarity with Q/Kdb+, Scala or Java is beneficial.
- Basic understanding of financial markets. Knowledge of fixed income is preferred.
- Able to explain a model to a trader, defend it to validators, and discuss implementation details with technology.
- Comfortable working independently while managing multiple projects simultaneously.
- Self-motivation, rigor, and tenacity.
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 $225,000 - $250,000 for Vice President, 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.
INTRODUCTION
The Credit Automated Trading team builds the models, systems and AI-driven tools that underpin our highly successful automated trading business. This business covers a range of global products from corporate bonds and portfolio trades to fixed income ETFs and credit futures. We are looking for a researcher to work with us at the frontier of algorithmic credit trading, developing new ways to manage risk, predict liquidity, and trade at scale.
As a strategist on the team, you will do far more than research in isolation. You will design, develop, and deploy automated trading solutions. You will work closely with traders and technology partners, contribute directly to desk performance, and take ideas from concept to production. You will have access to a set of leading AI tools to assist you in your pursuit of ever better models. Research is essential, but delivery is what defines success.
We are looking for someone creative, driven, and self-directed. This means taking ownership, challenging assumptions, and pushing ideas until they are fully implemented. We value people who are practical about using AI and modern tools to move faster and make better decisions. Success is measured by improvements in model performance, pricing accuracy, and impact on trading outcomes. If you enjoy solving hard modelling problems, working with imperfect data, and seeing your work deployed, you will feel at home.
Responsibilities
- Use modern analytical tools and LLMs to improve models, speed up development, and idea generation across the desk.
- Develop and improve real-time pricing models for tens of thousands of corporate and sovereign bonds with limited and noisy input of market data.
- Identify patterns and factors driving trading flow, liquidity and market behavior and translate them into actionable signals.
- Own initiatives across the full lifecycle of electronic trading from research, modelling and back-testing to deployment and continuous performance improvement.
- Partner closely with bookrunners, strats and technology to deliver solutions.
- Enhance our back-testing and research framework to accelerate idea generation.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- 2–5 years of experience in a quantitative role.
- Advanced degree (PhD, Master or equivalent) in quantitative fields such as math, statistics.
- Experience applying modern technologies, including AI, to solve quantitative and modelling problems.
- Solid understanding of probability, statistics, machine learning, and optimization.
- Proficiency in Python. Familiarity with Q/Kdb+, Scala or Java is beneficial.
- Basic understanding of financial markets. Knowledge of fixed income is preferred.
- Able to explain a model to a trader, defend it to validators, and discuss implementation details with technology.
- Comfortable working independently while managing multiple projects simultaneously.
- Self-motivation, rigor, and tenacity.
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 $225,000 - $250,000 for Vice President, 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.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding STEM OPT Authorization as a Quantitative Research Analyst
Verify your CIP code before applying
Check that your degree's Classification of Instructional Programs code appears on the STEM OPT designated degree program list. Statistics, applied mathematics, financial engineering, and computer science programs almost always qualify, but interdisciplinary degrees sometimes don't.
Confirm E-Verify enrollment before accepting offers
Ask recruiters directly whether the firm is enrolled in E-Verify before you invest time in later interview rounds. Hedge funds and boutique quant shops sometimes aren't enrolled, even when they're otherwise willing to hire OPT students.
Use Migrate Mate to target verified sponsors
Search Quantitative Research Analyst roles on Migrate Mate, which filters for employers with confirmed STEM OPT hiring history. This cuts out the guesswork of cold-applying to firms that have never filed for OPT students.
Benchmark your offer against DOL prevailing wages
Pull the wage level for your specific role and metro area using the OFLC Wage Search before you negotiate. Employers filing a training plan under STEM OPT must pay you the prevailing wage for your occupation, so knowing Level II or III rates gives you a factual baseline.
Understand cap-gap coverage if you're H-1B selected
If your employer files an H-1B petition and you're selected in the lottery, cap-gap automatically extends your STEM OPT work authorization through September 30. Confirm your employer intends to file in March so you can plan your authorization timeline accurately.
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Find Quantitative Research Analyst JobsFrequently Asked Questions
Does a Quantitative Research Analyst role qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
Yes, in most cases. The role falls under SOC codes tied to mathematical science and operations research occupations, which are covered by STEM OPT. Your degree, not just your job title, must also map to an eligible CIP code on the STEM designated degree program list. Degrees in statistics, applied mathematics, financial engineering, and computer science routinely qualify. Confirm your specific CIP code with your DSO before filing.
What does my employer need to do to support my STEM OPT?
Your employer must be enrolled in E-Verify and must sign the I-983 training plan alongside you. The plan requires them to describe specific technical skills and learning objectives your role will develop, not just list your job duties. They also must attest that you'll be paid at least the prevailing wage for your occupation and location, as determined by DOL wage data. Employers who have never hired STEM OPT students before sometimes underestimate this paperwork burden.
How do I find Quantitative Research Analyst positions where the employer is already enrolled in E-Verify?
Migrate Mate filters for employers with confirmed STEM OPT hiring history, so you can focus on firms that are already enrolled in E-Verify and familiar with the I-983 process. This matters especially in the quant space, where many boutique hedge funds and prop trading firms are willing to hire but haven't completed E-Verify enrollment, which disqualifies them as STEM OPT employers regardless of intent.
What happens to my STEM OPT if my employer's E-Verify enrollment lapses?
Your STEM OPT authorization is tied to your employer maintaining active E-Verify enrollment throughout your extension period. If enrollment lapses, you're technically out of status even if you continue working. USCIS requires ongoing compliance, not just enrollment at the time of filing. Verify your employer's E-Verify status with your DSO periodically, and confirm it again before each annual I-983 attestation.
What happens to my work authorization if I'm selected in the H-1B lottery while on STEM OPT?
Cap-gap protection automatically extends your STEM OPT work authorization if your employer files an H-1B petition on your behalf and you're selected. Your authorization continues through September 30 of that year, bridging the gap until the H-1B start date of October 1. Your employer must file the petition before your STEM OPT expires for cap-gap to apply. Confirm the filing timeline with your employer well before the March registration window closes.
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