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Research Intern Jobs in Romeoville, IL (NOW HIRING)

Quantitative Research Intern PhD

Chicago, IL ยท On-site

$80K - $90K/yr

As a Quantitative Research Intern, you will work side-by-side with our Research Team of mathematicians, scientists and technologists, to develop and enhance the models that drive Optiver's trading.

Quantitative Research Intern

Chicago, IL ยท On-site

$250K - $300K/yr

As a Quantitative Research Intern you will have an opportunity to solve challenging problems arising in a trading environment while utilizing the latest statistical scientific algorithms, machine ...

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Research Intern information

See Romeoville, IL salary details

$2.1K

$6.6K

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How much do research intern jobs pay per month?

As of Aug 10, 2026, the average monthly pay for research intern in Romeoville, IL is $6,565.75, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $4,500.00 and $7,816.67 per month, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a research intern?

To thrive as a Research Intern, you need strong analytical abilities, attention to detail, and foundational knowledge in your field of study, often supported by enrollment in a relevant degree program. Familiarity with data analysis software (such as SPSS, R, or Excel), literature databases, and sometimes laboratory equipment or programming languages is typically required. Effective communication, curiosity, and time management are vital soft skills that help interns collaborate and contribute meaningfully to research projects. These competencies are important for producing accurate findings, supporting team objectives, and gaining valuable hands-on experience in research environments.

What is the difference between Research Intern vs Research Assistant?

AspectResearch InternResearch Assistant
Required CredentialsTypically students or recent graduates; some internships may require coursework in the fieldOften students or early-career professionals; may require some relevant coursework or experience
Work EnvironmentTemporary, project-based; often in academic, government, or corporate settingsMore consistent, ongoing support roles in labs or research teams
Employer & Industry UsageCommon in universities, research institutes, and corporate R&D departmentsPrimarily in academic labs, research institutions, and industry R&D teams

Research Interns typically are students or recent graduates gaining initial experience through temporary roles, while Research Assistants are more involved in ongoing research projects, often with some prior coursework or experience. Both roles support research activities but differ mainly in duration and level of responsibility.

What is a research intern?

Research interns are individuals, often students or recent graduates, who work temporarily in a research setting to gain practical experience and contribute to ongoing projects. They assist with tasks such as data collection, analysis, literature reviews, and sometimes experimental work under the supervision of experienced researchers. Research internships are valuable opportunities for interns to develop relevant skills, broaden their academic or professional networks, and explore potential career paths in research or academia.

What are some typical challenges a research intern might encounter when starting out, and how can they be addressed?

Research Interns often face challenges such as adapting to new research methodologies, managing multiple tasks with tight deadlines, and learning to navigate academic or corporate research environments. To address these, it's helpful to proactively communicate with your supervisor for clear expectations, seek mentorship from experienced team members, and utilize organizational tools to track assignments. Embracing a collaborative mindset and asking questions early on can also ease the transition and foster professional growth.
What are the most commonly searched types of Research jobs in Romeoville, IL? The most popular types of Research jobs in Romeoville, IL are:
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What job categories do people searching Research Intern jobs in Romeoville, IL look for? The top searched job categories for Research Intern jobs in Romeoville, IL are:
What cities near Romeoville, IL are hiring for Research Intern jobs? Cities near Romeoville, IL with the most Research Intern job openings:
Infographic showing various Research Intern job openings in Romeoville, IL as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 1% As Needed, 82% Full Time, 12% Part Time, 3% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 87% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $78,789 per year, or $37.9 per hour.

Quantitative Research Intern PhD

Optiver

Chicago, IL โ€ข On-site

$80K - $90K/yr

Other

Re-posted 20 days ago


Job description

As a Quantitative Research Intern, you will work side-by-side with our Research Team of mathematicians, scientists and technologists, to develop and enhance the models that drive Optiverโ€™s trading. You will tackle a practical research project that has real-world impact and directly influences Optiverโ€™s trading decisions. In our business, where the markets are always evolving, you will use your skills to predict its movements.

What youโ€™ll do:

Led by our in-house education team, you will delve into trading fundamentals and engage in a research project that makes a real-world impact. You will be paired with one of Optiverโ€™s seasoned researchers, providing you exposure to a variety of research areas, including:

  • Using statistical models and machine learning to develop trading algorithms.
  • Leveraging big data technologies to analyze high-frequency trading strategies, market microstructure, and financial instruments to identify trading opportunities.
  • Building stochastic models to determine the fair value of financial derivatives.
  • Combining quantitative analysis and high-performance implementation to ensure the efficiency and accuracy of pricing engines and libraries.

What youโ€™ll get:

Youโ€™ll join a culture of collaboration and excellence, surrounded by curious thinkers and creative problem-solvers. Motivated by a passion for continuous improvement, youโ€™ll thrive in a supportive, high-performing environment alongside talented colleagues, collectively tackling some of the toughest challenges in the financial markets.

In addition, youโ€™ll receive:

  • The opportunity to work alongside best-in-class professionals from over 40 different countries
  • The opportunity to earn a return internship or full-time offer in Chicago, Austin, New York City, or Amsterdam based on performance
  • A highly-competitive internship compensation package
  • Optiver-covered flights, living accommodations, and commuting stipends
  • Extensive office perks, including breakfast, lunch and snacks, regular social events, clubs, sporting leagues and more

Who you are:

  • Currently enrolled in a PhD program in Mathematics, Statistics, Computer Science, Physics or a related STEM field with outstanding academic performance
  • Expected graduation between December 2026 and June 2028
  • Available to intern during Summer 2026
  • Open to full-time opportunities upon graduation in 2027 or 2028
  • Solid foundation in mathematics, probability, and statistics
  • Excellent research, analytical, and modeling skills
  • Independent research experience
  • Proficiency in any programming language
  • Experience in machine learning, with practical applications in time-series analysis and pattern recognition
  • Strong interest in working in a fast-paced, collaborative environment
  • Fluent in English with strong written and verbal communication skills

Who we are:

At Optiver, our mission is to improve the market by injecting liquidity, providing accurate pricing, increasing transparency and stabilising the market no matter the conditions. With a focus on continuous improvement, we prioritise safeguarding the health and efficiency of the markets for all participants. As one of the largest market making institutions, we are a respected partner on 100+ exchanges across the globe.

Our differences are our edge. Optiver does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, physical or mental disability, or other legally protected characteristics.

Optiver is supportive of US immigration sponsorship for this role.

We accept one application per role per year. If you have previously applied to this position during this season and have been unsuccessful, you can reapply once the next recruitment season begins in 2026.

Below is the expected compensation for this position. This is a good-faith estimate of the base pay scale and sign-on bonus for this position and offers will ultimately be determined based on experience, education, skill set, and performance in the interview process. This position will also be eligible for the benefits listed above.

Base Salary Range $80,000โ€”$90,000 USD