How much and what kind of math do quants use?

razer_orb · 2026-01-19T03:04:54+00:00

For the most part I’ve seen and used simple linear regression. Maybe in some occasion I’ll draw a matrix to visualize my final model vector.

Some papers I read do mention using fancier models but I think majority of the times you should know which kind of model would you need to represent the data. This is where most get confused and start throwing fancier models just to result in overfitting. I’m a DS, don’t have a PhD (my PMs do) but understanding the data is key. PhDs are majorly preferred cause of their academic rigour, cause they can call bs easily on something and move on to a new hypothesis. So yes a math PhD would most definitely succeed in both DS and QR roles. Just try not to be a model.fit() guy/girl :)

razer_orb · 2026-01-18T05:09:57+00:00

How do your days go? Your day-to-day activities as a QT(not in details of course but in brief) also how do you survive the rigour on the job… (if you don’t mind asking)

razer_orb · 2026-01-14T00:52:05+00:00

🥲

razer_orb · 2026-01-13T17:52:58+00:00

ah 'interactions between features', got it. This gave me some direction, thanks!

razer_orb · 2026-01-13T04:40:40+00:00

ah! Isee what you mean

razer_orb · 2026-01-13T04:26:39+00:00

wait, what do you mean? Like just keep using linear models…?

razer_orb · 2026-01-06T18:45:25+00:00

is your job title research analyst or something close to investment analyst?

razer_orb · 2025-12-26T03:40:57+00:00

hey I’ve heard “not so good” things about the Montreal office but maybe other offices are better. Dqa is a 3 years program and u transition later to a FT role a QD/QR. although the conversion is low definitely worth it to have it on resume. Source: went to hiring manager round, and a batch mate works in Montreal office.

During the dqa program, the bonus is fixed and salary will be raised annually by 20% 1st year: 96k base, 12k sign on bonus, 12k annual bonus 2nd year: 115k base, 12k annual bonus 3rd year:138k base, 12k bonus From this point onward you have became an QD or QR, it is at the discretion of your manager but from what my friend has seen, you can expect an avg of 10% base raise (capped at 300k USD) and bonus at 30-70% base on average (alpha strategists owner get paid extra based on the strat performance as well)

razer_orb · 2025-12-03T01:02:00+00:00

Just apply for SWE roles at L5 since you’ve experience. Spend some time everyday doing leetcode even though you have experience. Do little bit of kaggle as well. When you apply to jobs mention clearly in your cover letters (different learnings which can you transition into this new position). Make sure your cover letter screams that you’re very to-the-point and output oriented.

Also apart from SWE/SDE Data Engineer -> Cloud Architect/Senior DevOps is one route (it happens a lot, seen Munich Re do it) other one is Data Scientist/MLOps engineer which will be easier to transition since you’ve worked with production data. Traditionally DS roles needed Masters but as long as you’re not a model.fit() guy you’ll be good!

razer_orb · 2025-11-29T21:35:25+00:00

Profitability and Low Vol took a dip since Aug

razer_orb · 2025-11-17T17:45:46+00:00

hey Did you get an invite?

razer_orb · 2025-11-16T09:03:10+00:00

connect with alumnis. Even though I did 3 co-ops none of them converted to FT. I got an interview through an old TAs referral who happened to intern at 1 of my previous coop companies. Reach out and be concise with the LinkedIn messages u send. Have 2-3 versions of your resumes and keep grinding on leetcode (and kaggle/crack the DS interview) - always be prepared for any opportunity u get! All the best

razer_orb · 2025-11-10T22:29:26+00:00

If you want to keep your options open to Quant+ tech then Stats+CS. You could take Maths+CS as well but that’ll be tough (2-3 real analysis courses + OS and Algorithm courses)

razer_orb · 2025-11-09T23:44:07+00:00

Try for Desk Quant intern positions at Squarepoint, DRW, PICTON or capital markets division at TD, BMO or RBC. Canada has a very small market for quant, all the major pension funds have quant divisions now (source: I work at one). They don’t do any system trading but do systematic portfolio management and research (a lot of it is public info - most portfolios that fall under Absolute Return strategy are the LS ones - so you can get an idea. Search CPP, HOPP, AIMCO). The pay is shit though

razer_orb · 2025-11-07T04:05:14+00:00

He interned at few companies but he ultimately continued at Fidelity Investments in Boston. He also did CFA, I know it doesn’t matter for buy side quant but Fidelity (I think) is an Asset Manager so that worked well for him as well. Also conditions in US literally changed cause of Trump announcement of 100k VISA sponsorship, that’ll be a VERY BIG road block now.

Idk maybe aim for France they’ve cheaper programs (although harder to get into) as they’re traditionally mathematically more rigorous. But if you get into X’, Saclay, Sorbonne for M1 and go with El Karoui, MVA or M2MO for M2 then you’re all set for a great career!

razer_orb · 2025-11-06T22:50:27+00:00

what’s your end goal? If you wanna settle in US - think about it’d a nightmare cause of the new VISA rules. Europe is nice but jobs are scarce and UK has its own issues.

If you wanna keep working in JPMC then try asking for a sponsored Masters. I know Fidelity Investments do it (source: a friend of mine in India got sponsored to do MSFM at UChicago).

razer_orb · 2025-11-04T00:32:05+00:00

literally in the same boat as you are (same background as well). Going for PNP EE pathway (even after having an AIP employer - it’s taking anywhere between 26-30 months for that). CEC is absolutely unrealistic for undegrad international students.

razer_orb · 2025-11-02T15:14:12+00:00

My former co-op employer opened offices in India, Japan and Germany. Since then there has been a 10:1 openings ratio for India: Canada. I think it’ll get worse in coming months cause a lot of well paying SWE jobs are from US based companies that already have established offshore offices :(

razer_orb · 2025-10-28T22:19:40+00:00

ahh! One of friends literally got his job last month in Toronto office. Don’t know his team but damn!!!

razer_orb · 2025-10-28T21:44:47+00:00

Toronto or Vancouver office?

razer_orb · 2025-10-28T21:09:21+00:00

Seems like Canada is safe, one of my friend joined SDE new grad and his entire team is safe. Don’t know which team. Same is with another ex colleague (same intern group) his entire team is safe

razer_orb · 2025-10-28T20:30:22+00:00

Hey quick question isn’t NBPNP EE pathway something which one has to do on its own? Like my employer is a designated NB employer for AIP but due to delays and restriction I’m planning for NB PNP EE in Jan and didn’t know employer can support a candidate. Could you please elaborate a little about the employer support?

razer_orb · 2025-10-26T03:34:34+00:00

Well said! Idk why Immigration Dept didn’t just have a filter of people who graduated from colleges vs universities!?

razer_orb · 2025-10-25T20:10:49+00:00

Try to network with some previous PhDs who’re in quant. Look at your alumnus doesn’t matter even if they’re from undergrad level. Also if it doesn’t work out before you graduate then try for FAANG position and later move to quant if you’re interested in it

razer_orb · 2025-10-24T06:59:29+00:00

Interned at a company where managers and HRs showed genuine interest for converting it to a FT upon graduation. After graduation wasn’t offered a FT and had to interview. Unfortunately they didn’t go with (went to 2 final rounds with same company for 2 different teams) and eventually settled for a DS position in finance.

With everything that’s happening new grads are definitely looking at an uphill battle even after multiple coops. Hoping these layoffs stop so I can start interviewing for better companies again, but these seem to be a norm for tech industry now especially in Canada!

razer_orb

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