Researchers with strong analytical and quantitative skills are sought after in the Finance sector, with roles in quantitative research, software development, and strategic analysis all directly utilising experience built in academia.

Our panellists share insights into the day-to-day realities of careers in finance, and share how they have built and utilised their research skills to ensure a successful career transition beyond academia.

Dr Mark Van Loon, Senior Quantitative Researcher, G-Research: My work as a quant at G-Research focuses on forecasting financial markets by analyzing large datasets using statistical and machine learning models. Before working at G-Research, I did an undergraduate Master of Mathematics degree, followed by a DPhil in Mathematics, both here in Oxford. My DPhil research was in the Mathematical Physics group and focused on conformal field theories, showing properties of several such theories by analyzing the conformal bootstrap equation in appropriate limits. I joined G-Research after my DPhil, having spent ten weeks as an intern before joining in a permanent role.

Emile Jacquard, Quantitative Researcher, Susquehanna: As quantitative researcher at Susquehanna, my role is to apply mixtures of mathematics, statistics and programming to find solutions to complex problems occurring in financial markets. I work closely with both traders and developers to improve, identify and implement trading strategies. I did a BSc in Mathematics at EPFL, then a MASt in Mathematics at Cambridge and finally a DPhil in the Topologic Data Analysis group here in Oxford. My research was mainly on classifying quiver representations. I interned at Susquehanna in the summer of 2023 being joining full time in March 20224.

Lawrence Barrott, Quantitative Researcher, Optiver

Our panellists share insights into the day-to-day realities of careers in finance, and share how they have built and utilised their research skills to ensure a successful career transition beyond academia.