Advice regarding hedge fund and prop trading offers

[qwerty]

Hi ppl,

I've recently received offers for quantitative researcher roles in a hedge fund and a prop trading firm and would like some advice on would be an appropriate compensation and employment terms.

Some background about myself, I am a local graduate with a masters in computer science and have been working in commercial R&D in an MNC for about 5 years.

The hedge fund is offering me a base pay of 110k which is around a 10% increment over my previous annual package (with bonus thrown in) with a title of VP. They also require a notice period of 3 mths and reserves the right to impose a non-compete period of up to 6 months.

The prop trading firm has yet to send me the details but assured me that it will be competitive.

Both firms have also yet to forward to me the details of the bonus payout, which i understand will probably make up a significant portion of my annual compensation.

Anyone here from these industries? Would very much appreciate your inputs on whether the terms are fair, and what to look out for in these offers. I also thought the VP title/position offered by the hedge fund is unusually high, but I'm not sure.

Originally Posted by qwerty

Hi ppl,

I've recently received offers for quantitative researcher roles in a hedge fund and a prop trading firm and would like some advice on would be an appropriate compensation and employment terms.

Some background about myself, I am a local graduate with a masters in computer science and have been working in commercial R&D in an MNC for about 5 years.

The hedge fund is offering me a base pay of 110k which is around a 10% increment over my previous annual package (with bonus thrown in) with a title of VP. They also require a notice period of 3 mths and reserves the right to impose a non-compete period of up to 6 months.

The prop trading firm has yet to send me the details but assured me that it will be competitive.

Both firms have also yet to forward to me the details of the bonus payout, which i understand will probably make up a significant portion of my annual compensation.

Anyone here from these industries? Would very much appreciate your inputs on whether the terms are fair, and what to look out for in these offers. I also thought the VP title/position offered by the hedge fund is unusually high, but I'm not sure.

Financial industry is famous for inflated titles. VP is normally senior analyst level for more conservative companies in other industries. Don't read too much into the fancy pants title.

[qwerty]

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Financial industry is famous for inflated titles. VP is normally senior analyst level for more conservative companies in other industries. Don't read too much into the fancy pants title.

Haha I see, thanks for sharing.

congrats on the offer - but keep in mind that if you do choose to jump ship, you're jumping into much choppier waters and job security will be much more volatile in either the hedge fund or prop trading firm. whether that volatility is worth the 10% premium is entirely up to your discretion.

[qwerty]

Originally Posted by Unregistered

congrats on the offer - but keep in mind that if you do choose to jump ship, you're jumping into much choppier waters and job security will be much more volatile in either the hedge fund or prop trading firm. whether that volatility is worth the 10% premium is entirely up to your discretion.

The premium would actually be much higher since the 10% is the increment over the annual base. The bonuses could be multiples of this figure. Anyway, I note your point on the job security.

Thanks!