Chance from quant developer to quant researcher

Google
curiousing

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curiousing
Jul 15, 2019 11 Comments

As quant developer at top fund like Citadel/2S but without math/physics PhD, what’s the chance of internal transfer into the quant researcher position?

I have CS master, applied math master, tech industry, passion in finance/math, so now if I started to work at quant developer at Citadel/2S, can I become quant researcher?

Basically it’s scary and boring to spend the rest of my life being general software engineer. Would like more new stuff into my career.
Thx

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TOP 11 Comments
  • Have you explicit talked to any of their recruiters? Whenever I've talked to Citadel, for example, they were clear that they could consider me generally for quant dev and research in interviews. As I progressed in interview rounds, they would narrow me into one or the other as they found what was the better skillset fit.

    I'm actually going to a options mm soon and am doing a month rotation on quant r and quant dev teams as we decide which I like better. I've generally found these types of companies quite accommodating!
    Jul 15, 2019 3
    • Nah just math and cs deg from undergrad at a top target. But the point is that when I was interviewing with Citadel for a quant research role, they didn't necessarily care about a PhD, just whether I could answer their miscellaneous stats, regression, prob theory questions
      Jul 15, 2019
    • So I do know that they hire new undergrads into their quant research team without phds. (yes, it is brutal. 2016 summer they gave 3 out of 28 interns full time offers), but they do do it. Have you spoken to a Citadel recruiter specifically about whether you can interview for qr?
      Jul 15, 2019
  • Two Sigma / Eng
    mgre

    Go to company page Two Sigma Eng

    mgre
    It's possible but not common
    Jul 15, 2019 1
    • Google
      curiousing

      Go to company page Google

      curiousing
      OP
      If I show skill in computer science + math + finance, would be chance for me? My whole point is I have NO PhD, so first being quant dev is my roundabout strategy. At two sigma, most software engineers won’t show interest in developing math skills to be quant researcher, or simply the bar is so high thus its impossible without PhD?
      Jul 15, 2019
  • Google
    djjxn

    Go to company page Google

    djjxn
    I'm also looking into this. From what I've researched, most quant research have phds and have strong stat calculus background. Interview includes brain teasers and continuous stream of probability problem, or card game problems. You have to keep going, the more u solve the btter. Dunno how many is good enough tho.
    Jul 15, 2019 1
  • Google
    xooogler

    Go to company page Google

    xooogler
    Am wondering too. Bookmarked.
    Jul 15, 2019 0
  • Yandex / Eng
    jacvld1

    Go to company page Yandex Eng

    PRE
    Google
    jacvld1
    AFAIK it depends on the specific team. I’d try inquire about this during the interviews.
    Jul 15, 2019 0