Quants
Are you wondering what a fulfilling career in Quants looks like? If you have experience in maths, finance, or statistics, you already have a great starting point.
Gravitas are experts in Banking recruitment. We are driven to help professionals achieve their career goals with a personalised market service. By working with us, you’ll gain career valuable insight, as well as high-quality support when you apply to new opportunities.
Our team recruit across Quant Investment in Equity and Futures, amongst Hedge Funds and Investment Banks in Hong Kong. We working with professionals across Research, Portfolio Management, Traders, Data and Development. If you are looking for a permanent or contract position across all levels, we can assist you!
Top Quant jobs in demand
Quant Researcher
A Quant Researcher plays a key responsibility in capturing market opportunities by researching into equities, commodities, and investments in CTAs. As quite an analytical position, they will perform Alpha or Signal Generation, in the development of trading strategies. Other important analytical skills required are coding skills such as Python or C++, with a recent growth in demand in Machine Learning, whilst the Finance industry is exploring AI further. A Quant Researcher is also key in portfolio construction or portfolio optimisation.
A successful Quant Researcher will have effective communication skills working collaboratively with other teams such as Quant Traders and Developers.
Quant Traders
Similar to a Quant Researcher, Quant Traders are more operational and practical in their day-to-day tasks. They proactively look for investment opportunities, evaluating financial products and markets, so skills in decision making are critical. Alongside this, they will have a role in book management and execution expenses.
Quant Traders will apply their knowledge of algorithm and coding into implementing Quant strategy. They will often be the ‘face’ in front these operations, so skills around communication, attention to detail and problem-solving skills are essential.
Portfolio Management
A Portfolio Manager is usually the next step up for an individual who started their finance career as a Quant Researcher. As the name suggests, Portfolio Managers will manage day-to-day portfolio trading and book management, which their background and knowledge in financial markets offers advantage to. Overtime, these skills will need to be developed in order to implement better strategy and process for investment success.
Leadership is an important skill in this role, as they will coordinate teams and allocate resource whilst aligning to strategical goals.
Data
There has been a growth in demand for data in the finance industry, with positions such as:
- Data Analyst
- Data Scientist
- Machine Learning Engineer
Data specialists will analyse & gather data and interpret unstructured data to assist in decision-making. Specialists may use computer algorithms based on models to assist in finding trading opportunities.
As a technical position, they must have coding skills in Python, as well as an analytical mind-set to problem-solve and attention to detail.
Development
In Quants, there are commonly two types of developers in demand - Platform Developer and Python Developer.
Platform Developers will build software and applications for trading and large operations. C++ is the main form of coding used by individuals in this area.
Python Developers will have experience in front office, using knowledge of financial markets to support strategy back testing. They may develop algorithms and provide technical support to trading applications.
Top three tips for a career in Quants
Advice from Shenzhen Manager, Ken Zhang
Become an expert in code
Coding is an essential skill across most positions in Quants, and it important to continuously develop your coding abilities. Ensure you are proactively putting time into learning and training, whether it is through the work you are doing, or in your own time. By developing your skills can only improve the quality and accuracy of your work so you can confidently be an asset to any new employer.
Keep close to the finance market
By keeping up to date on any market changes, adjustments, and forecasts, you will be able to explore underlying assets and equities, so your strategy is as effective as possible. Regularly put time aside to look at useful market data and information or perhaps learn from leaders in the market. Your goal should be becoming a market expert.
Machine Learning is the next big thing...what’s next?
It's fair to say that the market is embracing all the possibilities of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning. Within this, the financial industry is experiencing waves of transformation, including a change to specialist jobs in Quants. As more Hiring Managers demand experience in ML, this is becoming an essential skill to add to your CV.
However, keep asking yourself ‘what's the next big thing?’. By keeping a proactive eye on the market, you might pick up the top future skills to help you confidently stand out in the market.