---
title: 'Quantitative Researcher, PhD at Aquatic Capital Management'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/quantitative-researcher-phd-aquatic-capital-management-chicago-wxyv2jw6qbbv'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-09-07'
---

# Quantitative Researcher, PhD at Aquatic Capital Management

- **Company:** Aquatic Capital Management
- **Location:** Chicago, IL / New York, NY
- **Posted:** 2026-01-22
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-07
- **Apply:** https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/aquaticcapitalmanagement/jobs/8387685002

## Job description

Aquatic was founded with a shared passion for tackling some of the most complex challenges in one of the world’s most competitive arenas—global financial markets. From the very beginning, we have been driven by a deep commitment to applying cutting-edge scientific research and technological innovation to deliver unparalleled performance. Our journey is one of continuous growth and exploration, marked by a spirit of curiosity and relentless drive for excellence.

As a Quantitative Researcher, you will work with a team to develop a variety of signals, models, and strategies for trading financial markets. As part of the role, you will be responsible for the design and implementation of various components of our research system, and you will evaluate their effectiveness by using rigorous statistical methods. As part of a small team with exposure to multiple areas of research, you will have the opportunity to rapidly grow your knowledge of quantitative finance.

Candidate requirements:

- Active PhD graduates or Postdocs pursuing a degree in mathematics, statistics, machine learning, physics, computer science, or other scientific discipline
- Exceptional mathematical, analytical, and problem-solving ability
- Programming proficiency in Python or C++
- Experience in solving data-intensive problems a plus
- Demonstrated ability to complete statistical or applied mathematical research a plus
- Successful participation in mathematical competitions a plus e.g., IMO, Putnam
- Prior experience in a quantitative role within a trading environment a plus

Desired qualities:

- Intellectually curious, creative, and rigorous
- Willingness to challenge assumptions and revise opinions in the face of compelling evidence
- Self-motivated and highly productive, with a strong sense of urgency and accountability
- Willing to take ownership of one’s work, working both independently and within a small team
- Meticulous attention to detail
- Ability to manage and prioritize multiple threads of work
- Able to work across disciplines
- Excellent communication and collaboration skills
- Comfortable providing and receiving actionable feedback in a collaborative team setting

The base salary for this role is anticipated to be between $150,000 and $200,000, which is based on information at the time of posting. This position may also be eligible for additional forms of compensation, such as a discretionary bonus, and benefits. Discretionary bonus can be a significant portion of total compensation. Actual compensation for successful candidates will be carefully determined based on a number of factors, including their unique skills, qualifications and relevant experience. Benefits:

- Benefits: For full-time employees, fully paid medical, dental, and vision for employees and dependents, competitive 401k plan, employer-paid life & disability insurance
- Perks: Wellness programs, casual dress, snacks, lunch, game room, team and company events
- Development: Open environment to maximize learning and knowledge sharing
- Time: Generous PTO, paid holidays, competitive paid caregiver leaves

[Aquatic Capital](https://www.aquatic.com/)

This role represents a unique opportunity to join a quantitative investment manager in its early stage of growth. The firm’s culture will be shaped by collaboration, meritocracy, ambition, and calm determination.

Aquatic is a proud equal opportunity workplace. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or any other applicable legally protected characteristics.

## About Aquatic Capital Management

## Company Overview
- **One-liner**: Aquatic Capital Management is a quantitative investment management firm that combines a high-performance research and development platform with disciplined risk management to manage systematic strategies.
- **Entity Type**: Private (no disclosed funding rounds)
- **Headquarters**: Chicago, Illinois, United States
- **Founded**: Year not publicly available
- **Founders**: Jonathan Graham

## Core Business
- Primary industry: Financial Services (systematic quantitative investing)
- Target customers: Institutional investors (B2B)
- Mission or purpose statement: "Building a lasting quantitative investment manager" and "applying science and technology to build the world’s best prediction machine" [aquatic.com](https://www.aquatic.com/)

## Products & Services
- **Systematic Investment Strategies**: The firm manages quantitative strategies across global financial markets, leveraging a proprietary R&D platform for alpha generation and risk management.

## Market Standing
- **Valuation**: Not publicly available
- **Key Metric**: Estimated annual revenue in the range of $5–15 million (unverified third-party estimate) [leadiq.com](https://leadiq.com/c/aquatic-capital-management/5dc09ebcfdf36bee53c436ab). Official figures not disclosed.
- **Notable Investors/Partners**: Not disclosed; the firm commits its own capital alongside investors.
- **Growth Signals**: Headcount of ~100 employees (+3.5% YoY) [linkedin.com](https://www.linkedin.com/company/aquatic). LinkedIn followers grew +47.7% yearly. Active job postings increased +433.3% yearly, indicating aggressive hiring [linkedin.com](https://www.linkedin.com/company/aquatic).

## Competitive Advantages
- **Talent Concentration**: Small, nimble team of best-in-class researchers and engineers in a carefully architected environment optimized for quiet focus and collaboration [aquatic.com](https://www.aquatic.com/).
- **Founder Experience**: Jonathan Graham spent 13+ years at Citadel as a Partner and Senior Managing Director, leading the Global Quantitative Strategies business [aquatic.com](https://www.aquatic.com/).
- **Culture of Meritocracy**: Values diverse backgrounds, collaboration, and steady determination with a flat structure where every voice counts [aquatic.com](https://www.aquatic.com/).
- **Commitment to Carbon Neutrality**: Differentiator for environmentally conscious talent [aquatic.com](https://www.aquatic.com/).

## Strategic Focus
- Continued investment in applied scientific research and development to build a lasting quantitative investment manager [aquatic.com](https://www.aquatic.com/).
- Scaling the team across research, technology, and operations, with active hiring in Chicago, New York, and London [greenhouse.io](http://job-boards.greenhouse.io/aquaticcapitalmanagement).

## Why Work Here
- **Culture**: Casual, relaxed environment designed for deep work and innovation; daily catered meals, happy hours, and office perks [aquatic.com](https://www.aquatic.com/).
- **Work Model**: Offices in Chicago (HQ), New York, and London. Hybrid/remote policy not explicitly stated; roles appear office-based.
- **Benefits**: Comprehensive benefits, mentoring and development programs, open source projects, and "Vacation++" policy [aquatic.com](https://www.aquatic.com/).
- **Engineering & Research Focus**: High concentration of technical and research roles (29% technical, 23% research) with a tech stack including Python, C++, PyTorch, Kubernetes, and more [linkedin.com](https://www.linkedin.com/company/aquatic).
- **Employee Rating**: 4.4/5.0 (based on 4 reviews) with perfect scores in compensation, culture, and career [linkedin.com](https://www.linkedin.com/company/aquatic).

## Sources
1. [aquatic.com](https://www.aquatic.com/)
2. [linkedin.com](https://www.linkedin.com/company/aquatic)
3. [greenhouse.io](http://job-boards.greenhouse.io/aquaticcapitalmanagement)
4. [leadiq.com](https://leadiq.com/c/aquatic-capital-management/5dc09ebcfdf36bee53c436ab)

## Other roles at Aquatic Capital Management

- [Systems Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/systems-engineer-aquatic-capital-management-chicago-z28k0k7r8pme) — Chicago, IL
- [Software Engineer, Intern (Summer 2027)](https://feeny.ai/job/software-engineer-intern-summer-2027-aquatic-capital-management-chicago-x4xb41tabvv7) — Chicago, IL
- [Software Engineer, Early Career](https://feeny.ai/job/software-engineer-early-career-aquatic-capital-management-chicago-3xc4zkmhmyp6) — Chicago, IL / New York, NY
- [Quantitative Researcher, Intern (Summer 2027)](https://feeny.ai/job/quantitative-researcher-intern-summer-2027-aquatic-capital-management-chicago-9jx6w5vhv3bz) — Chicago, IL / London, United Kingdom
- [Quantitative Researcher, Early Career](https://feeny.ai/job/quantitative-researcher-early-career-aquatic-capital-management-chicago-k7w5nch5dwrn) — Chicago, IL / New York, NY
- [Software Engineer, C++](https://feeny.ai/job/software-engineer-c-aquatic-capital-management-chicago-yrn09wnc7e03) — Chicago, IL / New York, NY / London, United Kingdom
- [Quantitative Researcher](https://feeny.ai/job/quantitative-researcher-aquatic-capital-management-chicago-wxzjvzztm38v) — Chicago, IL / New York, NY / London, United Kingdom
- [Quantitative Researcher, PhD](https://feeny.ai/job/quantitative-researcher-phd-teza-technologies-austin-m6dfyyxma5ek) — Austin, TX