Quantitative Analytics, Research & Trading USA Hiring Outlook 2026

Quantitative analytics, research and trading has begun 2026 on the back of a demanding 2025, driven by growing AI skill requirements, tougher competition from non-finance sectors, and fast operational changes across quant teams. Here, Elizabeth Holmes, Vice President – Quantitative Analytics, Research & Trading at Selby Jennings, shares how the market is changing, where demand for talent is strongest, and what both hiring managers and quants need to plan for in the year ahead. 

What hiring challenges will the quantitative analytics, research & trading sector face in 2026?  

"There will be increased competition for quant talent from AI companies such as OpenAI and Anthropic among others, in both research and development. These firms offer a highly compelling mix of cutting-edge research and somewhat less demanding day-to-day work, alongside very high starting pay and strong upside compensation. 

"Many quants burned out by finance are beginning to make the transition to these firms, which are starting to succeed big tech as the quant finance industry’s biggest competitor for fresh talent."

What are the hardest-to-fill quant roles in 2026?

"Broadly, AI. AI has become such a buzzword on resumes that the signal-to-noise ratio to find the best talent is very high.  

"Additionally, competition for the best talent is fierce not only from finance, but also from top AI research firms, startups, and big tech."

 How should firms update their quant hiring strategy for 2026?

"Stop giving assessments as the first step. First round interviews should always be introductory and include firms selling themselves to candidates, as well as allocated time for candidates to ask questions. It may be tempting to start processes with technical tests in order to filter out resume volume, however our data suggests that firms that set a more positive and candidate-centric tone early in the process have higher accepted offer conversion rates."

How will AI change quant teams in 2026?

"AI has significantly changed the landscape already in terms of team structures through the quant space. A majority of hiring teams looking for junior to mid-level candidates have a desire to see these types of skills when interviewing. 

"Given individuals currently in universities are the ones learning the most about how to utilize AI, many teams will start to rely on these hires to spearhead projects that aim to integrate these systems into internal processes. An example would be automated research and backtesting. 

"AI-driven platforms will be able to handle hypothesis generation, engineering and model selection going forward. Therefore, instead of relying on quants to do the traditional manual coding for every strategy, teams can now have someone manage and supervise AI systems and platforms to validate ideas more efficiently."

Which tasks and processes are being automated in quantitative analytics, research and trading?

"Data pipelines and execution optimization will change drastically with the integration of AI.  

"AI will be able to automate the ingestion and cleaning of alt data for teams much quicker and enable quants to discover alpha more efficiently. In terms of execution optimization, AI’s adaptability will allow teams to select execution strategies based on market microstructure and liquidity conditions much faster than a quant doing it manually."

What will be the biggest growth areas in quantitative analytics, research and trading in 2026?

"Key growth areas include AI-powered trading models and deep learning, alternative data usage (such as satellite imagery or social sentiment analysis), and crypto and decentralized finance (DeFi) quant strategies."

Where are firms increasing their quant headcount in 2026?

"Many firms are looking for dedicated AI engineers who can help with the buildout and maintenance of internal AI platforms and tools. 

"At Selby Jennings we’ve seen that clients are more willing to invest in the possibility of incorporating open-source AI models into their business than reinvent the wheel with an expensive and time-consuming research effort."

What compensation trends will impact quant hiring in 2026?

"It’s likely that in addition to increased salary bandings, top firms will continue to secure quant talent with one-time sign on bonuses, guaranteed compensation for 2026, or P&L linked bonus multipliers."   

How can leaders reduce attrition risk and strengthen retention in quantitative analytics, research & trading?

"Firms that invest in immigration support demonstrate their commitment and stability, which is often returned through long-term retention. 

"This also often significantly reduces attrition risk, as individuals are less likely to leave for competitors due to the complexity and time involved in transferring sponsorship, and they value their employer’s role in enabling their career and life plans."

How can leaders build stronger quantitative analytics, research & trading teams in 2026?

"When integrating AI, leaders must clearly communicate how automation supports business objectives, team efficiency, and individual career growth. The focus should be on augmenting human expertise rather than replacing it, ensuring employees see technology as an enabler, not a threat.  

"Providing robust internal learning programs and continuous upskilling opportunities will help teams adapt to evolving tools and maintain confidence in their roles."

Speak with Elizabeth Holmes and the Selby Jennings quantitative analytics, research & trading team

If you are planning to hire in quantitative analytics, research or trading in 2026, you can request a call back from Elizabeth Holmes and the Selby Jennings team to discuss: 

• Talent availability and hiring strategy 
• Compensation and bonus structures 
• AI skills, hiring and team design 
• Retention and immigration support for key hires

Learn more about our quantitative analytics, research & trading talent solutions. 

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