Employee Profiles

I build models that attempt to predict price movements of financial instruments. This involves a surprisingly wide variety of tasks. A typical project might begin with my getting up to speed on research in a particular field to help me develop ideas germane to that area. I then apply mathematical and statistical techniques to see if there is a tradable “signal” in the data. If my group collectively determines that there is one, I code up a model designed to improve the prediction of future price movements. Once the model passes our internal review process, we start using it as a trading strategy. I then keep a close watch on its behavior, checking that its performance is consistent with expectations and staying on the lookout for ideas that might improve its performance.

I have a PhD in number theory and joined the firm knowing very little about finance. I had quite a lot to learn, but the projects I was assigned were selected with a view to helping me build up my knowledge base quickly. This educational process was also facilitated by my managers and colleagues, who taught me skills ranging from quick coding hacks to useful ways of estimating signals in noisy data. As I’ve gained more knowledge of the financial markets, my responsibilities have broadened in scope.

The people I met were remarkably friendly and genuinely seemed to like what they were doing. I got the sense that the firm respected and valued its employees and that I would enjoy working here. My experience has exceeded my expectations. When I joined, I had a general impression that investment firms often hire PhD mathematicians and physicists mainly to impress their investors, and that high-school math and basic coding skills would be sufficient for the job. Needless to say, this view was incorrect. Many of the problems I have faced here are as complex, in their own way, as the research topics I pursued as a graduate student. It’s remarkable how many enjoyable aspects of university life have been successfully reproduced in the working environment here, especially the collaborative spirit and respect for the value of research and good ideas.