Quantitative Research Associate

Teacher Retirement System of Texas

Austin, TX

JOB DETAILS
SKILLS
Algorithms, Computer Programming, Construction, Cost Control, Cost Modeling, Data Analysis, Data Cleaning, Debugging Skills, Environmental Research, Finance, Investment Management, Investment Strategy, Leadership, Liquidity, Machine Learning, Mathematics, Modeling Languages, Portfolio Management Software, Production Systems, Python Programming/Scripting Language, Quantitative Research, Research & Development (R&D), Research Skills, Risk, Risk Modeling, Software Engineering, Systems Engineering
LOCATION
Austin, TX
POSTED
5 days ago

The Quantitative Research team within the Quantitative Equity Group (QEG) conducts deep research with the goal of enhancing and innovating across the internal systematic investment platform within the Investment Management Division of TRS. The team is seeking a Quantitative Research Associate with strong research, programming, and finance fundamentals to contribute across the investment lifecycle-from research ideation and implementation to portfolio construction and investment-system infrastructure.

This role requires strong statistical foundations and advanced Python programming skills, with a demonstrated ability to deliver research in a production environment. Demonstrated interest or experience in quantitative and/or fundamental investment strategies is preferred. The successful candidate will partner with senior researchers, portfolio managers, and software engineers to enhance production investment systems, and to advance the firm's alpha, risk, and implementation frameworks.

This role offers an opportunity to have a direct impact on approximately $13 billion invested in QEG's quantitative equity beta-one active extension strategies, and more broadly on approximately $50 billion in investment exposure managed by QEG.

WHAT YOU WILL DO:

Research & Development

  • Researches and develops enhancements to systematic investment processes across the pipeline, including alpha generation, signal construction/combination, risk modeling, portfolio optimization, transaction cost modeling, and implementation.
  • Builds Python-based tools and workflows to access, clean, and analyze data at scale.
  • Integrates machine learning (ML) algorithms and large language models (LLMs) into the quantitative investment process.
  • Presents research methods, results, and recommendations to senior researchers and leadership; addresses questions and defends conclusions with data analysis and mathematical formulation.
  • Partners with portfolio managers and software engineers to deliver end-to-end research and production improvements.

Portfolio Management

  • Contributes to the team's Python-based research and production codebases.
  • Develops proficiency in the team's Python-based codebases, including its architecture, data flows, and core investment logic.
  • Maintains, debugs, and enhances the codebases to support evolving investment and operational requirements.
  • Partners with software engineers to ensure production systems are robust, scalable, and transparent, with appropriate monitoring and controls.
  • Incorporates market and liquidity insights into portfolio implementation decisions and risk-aware adjustments.

About the Company

T

Teacher Retirement System of Texas