2025 PhD Research Summer Associate

AQR Capital Management

AQR is a global investment firm built at the intersection of financial theory and practical application. We strive to deliver concrete, long-term results by looking past market noise to identify and isolate the factors that matter most, and by developing ideas that stand up to rigorous testing. By putting theory into practice, we have become a leader in alternative strategies and an innovator in traditional portfolio management since 1998.

At AQR, our employees share a common spirit of academic excellence, intellectual honesty and an unwavering commitment to seeking the truth. We’re determined to know what makes financial markets tick – and we’ll ask every question and challenge every assumption.  We recognize and respect the power of collaboration and believe transparency and openness to new ideas leads to innovation.

The Internship Program

Our 10-week summer program puts real work of the firm in your hands. You will work alongside brilliant people, gain insights and know-how from our Quanta Academy Summer Term curriculum, and experience what it’s like to work at the pinnacle of global, systematic investing.

Learning is the cornerstone of our culture and plays an active role in the internship experience — through daily collaboration and interaction with employees at all levels, in workshops and classes, and most significantly by working on projects that matter to the many clients we serve.   Our unique AQR Quanta Academy: Summer Term learning series, a structured program, consists of over 40 hours of educational, skill-building and networking events.

Your Role

AQR is looking for exceptionally talented PhD candidates to join our team as Summer Research Associates. Our Summer Associates experience life as a Researcher, which may include studying financial markets, learning academic theory, analyzing market data, building new (or improving on existing) trading strategies, and/or enhancing portfolio construction.

Summer Associates gain hands-on experience in quantitative research as well as the opportunity to learn about quantitative asset management and the investment philosophy which drives AQR. Our Summer Associates work in collaboration with researchers and portfolio managers in developing trading strategies for the firm.

• Engage in the development of AQR’s proprietary quantitative investment strategies
• Perform statistical and economic research on financial data related to systematic strategies
• Work closely with portfolio managers to assist in the implementation of investment strategies

What You’ll Bring

• December 2025-June 2026 Ph.D. candidate from top program pursuing degree in finance, economics, or a quantitative discipline (Operations Research, Applied Math, Statistics, etc.)
• Demonstrated interest in the financial industry with a strong understanding of global financial markets and economic fundamentals
• Experience conducting empirical research, including the cleaning, structuring, and analyzing of large data sets
• Strong background in econometrics or statistics
• Coding experience in Python, R, C++, or Matlab
• Strong analytical and problem solving skills
• Ability to work both individually and in a team setting
• Strong presentation skills and ability to discuss and explain involved concepts in both verbal and written form

AQR is an Equal Opportunity Employer.  EEO/VET/DISABILITY