Print Email Font A A

Finance and Investments

Up to Nonacademic Careers

Mathematicians and physicists are finding employment on Wall Street in increasing numbers. Here are resources for finding employment in the financial industry.

Programs in Computational Finance
Quantitative Analyst Jobs



Opportunities for Mathematicians in Finance and Investments
Richard Holmes, a mathematician who now runs his own investment services company, provides a comprehensive overview of the types of mathematical problems that come up in the world of finance and investment management. Lots of useful references for books and articles to read if you are thinking about a career on Wall Street.
NumeriX
"Representing expertise in fluid dynamics, statistical mechanics, algebraic geometry, quantum cryptography, nonlinear and computational physics, staff members also have significant practical work experience in the financial services industry. Academic credentials of the Research Team include Doctor of Science and Ph.D. degrees in Mathematics and Theoretical Physics. Four staff members have each won the USSR Academy of Sciences Medal and Award for Best Student Research and three have A.P. Sloan Fellowships. Academic credentials of the Development Team include Ph.D.s in Analytical and Computational Chemistry and Computer Science. Each member has considerable expertise in Object-Oriented Design and high performance C++ programming gained at organizations such as Merrill Lynch and Los Alamos National Laboratory."
Careers in Investment Banking
So you want to go to Wall Street? Here are the details, courtesy of Ohio State's business school.
Physicists Graduate from Wall Street
by Jennifer Oullette, The Industrial Physicist, December 1999. An overview of the role physicists play on Wall Street. (Requires Adobe Acrobat)
D.E. Shaw & Co.
"We are now aggressively seeking world-class talent to join our team. Our staff includes individuals trained in a variety of disciplines, but sharing a history of extraordinary intellectual and/or professional achievement. While we would certainly welcome applications from individuals with a background or interest in mathematics, computer science, or economics, we are equally interested in speaking with truly exceptional candidates from other backgrounds who are open to the possibility of a career they may never have previously considered."
On Becoming a Quant
Mark Joshi's overview of quantitative analyst jobs and what PhDs need to do to prepare for them.
The Fast Track
The Insider's Guide to Winning Jobs in Management Consulting, Investment Banking, and Securities Trading, by Mariam Naficy. "Considering a career in management consulting, investment banking, or sales and trading? Applying to the likes of McKinsey, Merrill Lynch, or Salomon Brothers? Wondering what it is that consultants and bankers really do every day? In THE FAST TRACK, industry insider Mariam Naficy does the groundwork for you. She explains banking and consulting in layperson terms and coaches you through the recruiting process from preparing your resume to choosing the right job."
Wet Feet Press
Excellent source of insider information on investment banking and management consulting companies. Useful case studies for practicing interviews.
Finance for Physicists
Advice on how to prepare for and get a job on Wall Street as a quantitative analyst.
quantfinancejob.com
The quantitative finance community with tutorials, interview questions and job searching resources for quants to land a successful financial engineering job on Wall Street.
Finding a Job in Finance
"Emanual Derman gives careers advice to those seeking a job in today's finance markets. You'll have to have plenty of education, and intuition too." Risk Magazine, May 2004.