CU Quants Blog

At CU Quants, our general club meetings are open to all CU Boulder students — but the Quantitative Fund is a different story.

The fund is a real-money trading operation. It’s structured like a professional proprietary trading firm, and we treat it that way. With live strategies, internally built systems, and a sharp focus on outperforming the S&P 500, we’re building something that requires trust, skill, and discipline.

That’s why we keep the fund selective.

Here’s a breakdown of how the application process works and what we look for.

Step 1: Watch for Role Openings

Each of our four teams (Trading, Research, Engineering, Risk Management) decides when they need new members. Roles are posted on our internal channels and sometimes announced at general meetings.

Pro Tip: Follow CU Quants on LinkedIn or stay active in the club — most fund openings are filled quickly.

Step 2: Submit Your Application

Once a team opens a role, you’ll fill out an application. This includes but not limited to:

• Basic background info

• Resume submission

Make your application specific. Show us you know what the team does — and how you could contribute.

Step 3: Online Assessment (OA)

If your application is selected (and depending on application volume), you’ll receive a short OA (Online Assessment). This varies by team:

• Engineering: coding questions (Python, systems design)

• Trading: logic, stats, and maybe some light modeling

• Research: data interpretation or quantitative reasoning

• Risk: optimization or portfolio-style questions

We’re not testing for perfection — we’re looking at how you think.

Step 4: In-Person Interview

The final round is a live interview with members of the team. Expect:

• Technical questions based on your role

• Behavioral questions to gauge fit

• Conversations about how you approach problems and work with others

We want teammates who are curious, humble, and willing to learn fast.

What We Look For

There’s no “perfect” candidate. We’ve taken in math majors, CS majors, econ majors — even physics and philosophy students. What matters most is your drive, clarity of thought, and willingness to collaborate.

We’re looking for:

• Strong fundamentals (in stats, coding, or finance — depending on the team)

• Interest in quantitative finance and trading

• A builder’s mindset

• Good communication skills (you'll be working in a team of builders and thinkers)
  
  

Why It’s Worth It

CU Quants Fund members don’t just write backtests — they build systems that go live.

You’ll:

• Work with smart, motivated peers

• Learn real-world quantitative trading workflows

• Build tools, strategies, and infrastructure from scratch

• Make decisions that impact actual PnL

We’re here to learn, build, and push boundaries — together.

Stay in the Loop

Ready to apply? Keep an eye out for open roles on your team of interest. In the meantime:

• Join the general CU Quants club and discord

• Attend meetings, network, and get involved

• Build cool stuff and share it

When you're ready, we’ll see your application.

—

CU Quants Fund
Built by students. Backed by data. Live in markets.

Hello CU Quants Community,

We’re thrilled to announce that we’ve finalized our Fall Semester Project Teams and are now accepting applications! This is your chance to join a dynamic group of students passionate about quantitative finance, algorithmic trading, and software development. Whether you're a trader, researcher, or developer, there’s a place for you to grow, collaborate, and make an impact.

Open Positions

Trading & Analytics Division

1. Algorithmic Trading Team

   • Quantitative Trader (2 Spots)

   • Quantitative Developer (2 Spots)
     Work on live trading strategies, development, and execution algorithms.

2. Quantitative Research Team

   • Quantitative Researcher / Developer (No Limit)
     Explore statistical models, alpha research, and data-driven insights.

3. Risk Management Team

   • Quantitative Researcher / Developer (No Limit)
     Develop tools to assess and mitigate portfolio risk in real-world scenarios.

Software Development Division

1. CUTE (CU Trading Engine)

   • Software Engineer / Quantitative Developer (4 Spots)
     Build and optimize our in-house trading platform and infrastructure.

2. Engineering Team

   • Software Engineer / Quantitative Developer (5 Spots)
     Create tools to support club operations, data visualization, and member resources.

What We Look For in Applicants

Beyond technical skills, we value:
1. Drive & Curiosity – A strong desire to learn and tackle challenging problems.
2.  Collaboration – A team-first mindset and enthusiasm for our community culture.
3. Initiative – The ability to take ownership and contribute meaningfully to projects.

Prior experience in finance or coding is a plus, but not required. What matters most is your willingness to grow!

Application Process

1. Online Application – Submit your resume and a brief statement of interest.

2. Interview – Selected candidates will have a quick 15–30 minute phone interview to discuss your background and interests.

Deadline: No deadline. We accept applicants on a rolling basis but the earlier, the better.
Apply Here: Join us

Don’t miss this opportunity to work on real-world projects, develop valuable skills, and connect with like-minded peers. We can’t wait to see what you bring to the team!

Not sold yet?
Curious about CU Quants? Want to learn more about quantitative finance, algorithmic trading, or software development in a hands-on environment?

Open to All CU Students – No prior experience required!
Weekly – Check our schedule for dates and times.

What to Expect:

• Guest Speakers – Industry professionals and alumni sharing insights.

• Workshops & Demos – Hands-on sessions on trading strategies, coding, and data analysis.

• Networking – Meet like-minded students and club leaders.

Come by, ask questions, and see what we’re all about. We’d love to meet you!

Regards,
The CU Quants Executive Board

Hello CU Quants Community,

As the semester wraps up, we’re excited to share a few important updates and new initiatives coming your way in Fall 2025.

Welcoming a New Executive Board Member
Please join us in welcoming Russell Stevens to the CU Quants Executive Board as our new Vice President of Marketing. With a strong background in data-driven marketing strategy and a deep interest in quantitative analytics, Russell will be leading our outreach and communications efforts. We’re excited to have him on board!

Launching This Fall: The Poker Analysis Project
We’re also thrilled to announce the upcoming Poker Analysis Project, launching in October 2025. This initiative will explore the intersection of probability, game theory, and machine learning through the lens of poker strategy. It’s a unique opportunity to apply your quantitative skills in a fun, real-world setting. Stay tuned for more details early in the semester.

Website Redesign & New Project Development Hub
We’ve redesigned the CU Quants website, and starting this fall, it will become the central platform for project development and collaboration. Whether you’re participating in a team or launching your own project, the new site will help you stay connected, contribute more easily, and access key resources.

Thank you all for an incredible semester. We’re looking forward to an exciting and innovative Fall 2025 with you!

Regards,
CU Quants Executive Board

As Spring 2025 comes to a close, CU Quants is proud to share the progress we've made over the past few months. This semester was a period of meaningful growth, innovation, and structural refinement as we worked to expand the club’s impact and elevate the quality of our projects and member experience.

Leadership Update

We were excited to welcome Magnus Miller to the Executive Board as Vice President of Finance. Magnus has already begun implementing more structured budgeting practices and exploring funding opportunities to support our upcoming initiatives.

Project Development Highlights

This spring marked major advancements in project development:

• We developed a working template for the Risk Analysis Project, providing a foundation for evaluating risk factors in trading strategies and financial portfolios.

• Our team successfully launched CUSTARD, an interactive market trading game designed in-house. CUSTARD simulates real-time trading environments and provides users with an engaging way to test strategies and understand market dynamics.

• Using Python and various data science tools, members explored and analyzed quantitative trading strategies proposed by our project teams, laying the groundwork for deeper technical research in the fall.

Weekly Quantitative Presentations

We introduced weekly member-led presentations focused on diverse quantitative finance topics. These sessions covered areas such as factor modeling, machine learning in finance, algorithmic trading, and more, fostering peer learning and collaboration across all experience levels.

Organizational Restructure

Significant internal changes were made this semester, including:

• A complete restructuring of the board and leadership roles, aligned with newly drafted bylaws to support a more scalable and transparent governance model. These bylaws will be published on our website following final Board approval.

• A revised membership structure was introduced to distinguish between:

  • Project Researchers – active members who apply to join and contribute to official CU Quants research projects.

  • General Members – students who engage with the club but are not currently involved in active projects.
    
    

Spring 2025 was a foundational semester that strengthened our infrastructure and prepared us for even more ambitious initiatives in the fall. Thank you to all members, presenters, and project leads who contributed their time and talent to making it a success.

We’re excited for what’s ahead and stay tuned for Fall 2025 updates!

Regards,

CU Quants Executive Board