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.

The Role

Our growing Amsterdam team is a dynamic group dedicated to developing execution strategies for APAC exchanges, contributing to CTC’s global options market-making and volatility alpha suite. Close collaboration with colleagues in Chicago, New York, and London creates an energetic environment where interesting and complex problems are tackled together. The team has delivered impressive results on challenging initiatives, driven by expertise and a shared commitment to impactful solutions and trading outcomes.

The Quant Trading Associate (QTA) role is our entry-level position within our Trading and Quant organization and gives you broad exposure to the whole business as you work towards graduating from the Associate Program and assuming a role on a team as a Quantitative Trader.

As a QTA, you will work in a high-impact role as a member of a trading team where technology and quantitative analysis are fundamental to success. You will play a vital part in identifying trading opportunities through our advanced trading platforms while collaborating closely with traders, risk managers, software engineers, and quants throughout the trading day. You will learn all aspects of our tech-driven trading operation and work towards generating trading revenue for the team. Through our integrated trading and technology curriculum, you'll develop expertise in both financial markets and the sophisticated technological infrastructure that powers CTC's trading capabilities. We encourage competitiveness and collaboration in equal measure and strive to better each other to win as one team.

What to Expect

Due to the dynamic nature of this business, we cultivate an environment of continuous learning and growth through an in-house education department. Through formal classroom work, mock trading, and real-time practical exposure, you will gain a holistic introduction to the derivatives market while sharpening your quantitative skillset. You can expect:

An introduction to options pricing, theory, trading philosophies, and programming courses

Exposure to different product areas and responsibilities

One-on-one mentorship from senior members in the firm

Opportunities to grow quickly and start making autonomous trading decisions

Participation in data-driven research for the purpose of alpha generation

What it takes for you to be successful:

You have a competitive drive and are a highly motivated individual that only gets stronger as part of a collaborative team

An aspiration to collaborate with traders, quants, developers, and other experts to further CTC's goal of providing world class liquidity to financial markets

You love solving complex problems

You're intellectually curious and like to challenge the status quo

You can effectively communicate sophisticated ideas both written and verbally

Strong quantitative and analytical abilities

Strong python programming skills

No prior experience in finance is necessary, but a deep curiosity and a hunger to learn is essential

Key requirements:

Pursuing a bachelor’s or master’s degree. All majors and concentrations welcome.
You have a demonstrated record of success (academics, awards, etc.)

You are willing to relocate to Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Why should you consider a career at CTC?

Be part of a fast-growing, industry-leading global trading company

Opportunity to work with and learn from forward-thinking leaders in our industry

Experience innovation, teamwork, and fun while working in an intellectually stimulating environment

Join an ambitious, collaborative workplace where there is no limit to what you can learn and what you will be able to contribute

Excellent growth potential

Competitive pay and comprehensive benefits package including free breakfast and lunch (and healthy snacks of course!) as well as a fitness center membership

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.