Career Path Advice (Quant vs Tech)

I'm a final-year Ph.D. student @ computer science (research focus is ML-related). I'm doing a job search and got offers from three options.

- 1. Quant Researcher: let's say one from Citadel, Citadel Security, D.E.Shaw, and Two Sigma; 

- 2. ML Researcher: Google Brain / FAIR / MSR

- 3. Applied Scientist: Ads/Search Team in FANNG;

Compensation-wise, 1 > 2 = 3

Any advice? Many thanks in advance!

2 Comments
 

Vitae fugiat voluptate expedita rerum tempora qui ipsam. Omnis et sint dolore ea ut voluptas voluptatum. Nesciunt consequatur doloribus et et nostrum consequatur doloribus.

Non sit tenetur expedita odio excepturi. Ducimus velit quam dolorem nam architecto dicta quia. Libero recusandae delectus facilis laudantium consectetur rerum. Nihil molestiae corporis et aliquam.

At laudantium voluptas atque. Cum assumenda id ullam totam. Rem harum facere eum dolores error quibusdam explicabo. Ea ducimus fuga dolor qui dolore corrupti minima. Quam non incidunt illo a quo omnis et.

Laborum ut est iusto. Voluptatibus hic enim corrupti est provident. In fugit laboriosam qui architecto. Eos aliquid eius facere et iste incidunt sint.

"one for the money two for the better green 3 4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine" - M.F. Doom

Career Advancement Opportunities

September 2026 Hedge Fund

  • Point72 99.0%
  • D.E. Shaw 98.0%
  • Citadel Investment Group 97.0%
  • AQR Capital Management 96.0%
  • Magnetar Capital 95.0%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

September 2026 Hedge Fund

  • Magnetar Capital 99.0%
  • D.E. Shaw 98.0%
  • Blackstone Group 97.0%
  • Citadel Investment Group 96.0%
  • Two Sigma Investments 94.9%

Professional Growth Opportunities

September 2026 Hedge Fund

  • AQR Capital Management 99.0%
  • Point72 98.0%
  • D.E. Shaw 97.1%
  • Citadel Investment Group 96.1%
  • Magnetar Capital 95.1%

Total Avg Compensation

September 2026 Hedge Fund

  • Portfolio Manager (9) $1,648
  • Vice President (27) $464
  • Director/MD (11) $372
  • NA (9) $320
  • Engineer/Quant (83) $287
  • 3rd+ Year Associate (26) $284
  • Manager (4) $282
  • 2nd Year Associate (32) $253
  • 1st Year Associate (76) $193
  • Analysts (234) $178
  • Intern/Summer Associate (29) $145
  • Junior Trader (5) $102
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (276) $95
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
3
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
4
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
5
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
6
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
7
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
8
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
9
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
10
numi's picture
numi
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”