As a Quantitative Research Intern, you’ll use data, mathematics and technology to turn financial market data into quantitative insights and trading strategies. You will tackle a practical research challenge using rich market data to explore real-world trading questions. In our business, where the markets are always evolving, you will test hypotheses, identify patterns and explore how research ideas are developed, challenged and evaluated in practice.
By the end of the ten-week internship, you’ll be equipped with the skills and knowledge required to succeed as a Quantitative Researcher at a leading global trading firm.
What you’ll do
Led by our in-house education team, the internship combines structured training with hands-on experience across trading, research and AI.
The comprehensive training program offers you the opportunity to:
- Deep dive into trading and research fundamentals, from theoretical concepts to financial markets, strategies and cutting-edge technology
- Take part in a collaborative research project, using quantitative analysis to develop and test a systematic trading strategy
- Develop your research skills by working with large market datasets to test hypotheses, identify patterns and explore trading ideas
- Gain hands-on market experience through simulated trading using real Optiver technology and responding to live market events
- Gain exposure to traders and researchers and experience the trading floor environment first-hand
- Learn how we use AI and apply it to solve real-world trading problems
Based on your performance during the internship, you could receive an offer to join our firm full-time in Amsterdam or London after your studies.
What you’ll get
You’ll join a culture of collaboration and excellence, where you’ll be surrounded by curious thinkers and creative problem solvers. Motivated by a passion for continuous improvement, you’ll thrive in a supportive, high-performing environment alongside talented colleagues, working collectively to tackle the toughest problems in the financial markets.
In addition, you’ll receive:
- A highly competitive internship compensation package
- Optiver-covered flights and accommodation in the city centre for the duration of the internship
- Extensive office perks, including breakfast, lunch and dinner, world-class barista coffee, bi-weekly chair massages, Friday afternoon drinks, a bicycle to explore Amsterdam and much more
- The opportunity to participate in sports and leisure activities, along with social events exclusively organised for your intern cohort
Who you are
- Penultimate-year student in Mathematics, Statistics, Computer Science, Physics or a related STEM field, with the ability to work full time upon graduation in 2028
- Solid foundation in mathematics, probability and statistics
- Excellent research, analytical and modelling skills
- Independent research experience
- Proficiency in any programming language
- Knowledge of machine learning, time-series analysis and pattern recognition is a plus
- Strong interest in working in a fast-paced, collaborative environment
- Fluent in English with strong written and verbal communication skills
Diversity statement
Optiver is committed to diversity and inclusion.
We encourage applications from candidates from any and all backgrounds, and we welcome requests for reasonable adjustments during the process to ensure that you can best demonstrate your abilities. Please let us know if you would like to request any reasonable adjustments by contacting the Recruitment team via the contact form, selecting "Reasonable Adjustments" as the subject of your inquiry.
For answers to some of our most frequently asked questions, refer to our Applying to Optiver Europe: Recruitment FAQ.
For applicants based in India, our entry route is via the placement office internship hiring season (July/August).
*Optiver has a global application re-apply policy for our intern and graduate roles. If you have completed an online assessment or interviewed for a quantitative graduate or internship role at any Optiver location in the past 8 months, please note that you are not yet eligible to reapply. We welcome you to re-apply after the 8-month cool off period.
Skills Required
- Penultimate-year student in Mathematics, Statistics, Computer Science, Physics or related STEM field, able to work full time upon graduation in 2028
- Solid foundation in mathematics, probability and statistics
- Excellent research, analytical and modelling skills
- Independent research experience
- Proficiency in any programming language
- Knowledge of machine learning, time-series analysis and pattern recognition
- Strong interest in working in a fast-paced, collaborative environment
- Fluent in English with strong written and verbal communication skills
Optiver Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Optiver and has not been reviewed or approved by Optiver.
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Career-Linked Recognition & Rewards — Pay is considered highly competitive in trading, quantitative, and engineering paths, with performance-linked bonuses materially elevating total earnings for strong contributors. High performers are described as seeing outsized upside when firm and team results are strong.
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Healthcare Strength — Health coverage is depicted as comprehensive, including medical, dental, vision, disability and life insurance, alongside HSA/FSA options and mental-health support. Some locations note unlimited therapy access through a partner platform.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — U.S. roles are often described as offering 25 days of paid vacation plus market holidays, alongside generous parental leave. This breadth of time off is highlighted as helping to offset a high-intensity environment.
Optiver Insights
What We Do
Optiver’s story began over 30 years ago, when we started business as a single trader on the floor of Amsterdam’s options exchange. Today, we are at the forefront of trading and technology as a leading global electronic market maker, focused on pricing, execution and risk management.
Why Work With Us
People at Optiver love challenges, welcome collaboration, and strive to be better tomorrow than they are today. Improving the market is an extraordinary challenge that requires a carefully crafted approach. Optiver provides a collaborative working environment to tackle these challenges. In fact, it is this way of working that sets us apart.
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