From Oxford Research to Quant Trading at DRW

What was your path to DRW?

I studied Mathematics and Computer Science at Oxford University, where I spent a lot of time doing computational biology research. At that point, I hadn’t really considered a career in trading. It wasn’t something that was immediately on my radar. 

Someone suggested that trading could be another way to apply the research skills I’d developed — thinking analytically, working with data, and testing ideas. I decided to explore it and interned at DRW on the crypto options desk. I really enjoyed the experience, and it felt like a natural fit, so I returned full-time as a Quantitative Trading Analyst (QTA) on the Global Delta 1 desk.

Translating STEM Skills into Trading 

The most transferable skill from my STEM background hasn’t been a specific piece of math or a programming language; it’s been the ability to identify the assumptions I’m making and understand how they affect results. 

In research, your conclusions are only as strong as the assumptions behind them. The same is true in trading. Whether you’re building a model or analyzing performance, the assumptions you make shape what you see. Being able to question, test, and adjust when needed is important. 

What does a typical day look like for you? 

A typical day usually starts with making sure the trading systems are running as expected. After that, most of my time is spent researching new ideas, monitoring markets, and writing or testing code. 

Once markets close, I like to look back at what happened during the trading day in more detail. It’s an opportunity to understand how strategies behaved, what worked well, and what could be improved. It’s very iterative; you’re constantly refining and building on previous work. 

What Drives Success at DRW? 

One of the biggest things I’ve learned is not to be afraid to ask questions. 

Nobody expects you to know everything when you start. At the same time, nobody knows what you don’t know. It’s up to you to take the initiative and follow up on things you don’t fully understand. 

Being curious and taking ownership of your learning makes a significant difference.

Advice for Women Interested in Quant Trading?

My first piece of advice would be to think about what kind of work you enjoy. Trading is a broad field, and your day-to-day can look hugely different from the person sitting next to you. It’s helpful to have an idea of what you’d like to spend your time doing and where you think you’d excel. 

I’d also encourage taking an interest in markets. Even in systematic roles, it helps to understand the broader economic environment. Having that macro awareness gives context to the work you’re doing. 

What’s your favourite thing about the London office?  

The view.  I sit by the window, so I get a pleasant view overlooking the London skyline, especially good at sunset. It’s a small thing, but it’s a good reminder to occasionally look up from the screens.