2026 Quantitative Finance Off-Cycle Internship (London)

Overview

In the Quantitative Finance division, we provide quantitative strategies and solutions for businesses across the Firm to optimize trading tools and processes. Since 1935, Morgan Stanley has been a global leader in financial services, continuously evolving and innovating to better serve our clients and communities in more than 40 countries worldwide.

Placement and Duration

The Morgan Stanley Quantitative Finance Off-Cycle Internship Programme in London runs for 6 or 9 months with the possibility to rotate across teams. It is aimed at students who are required to complete a long-term internship as part of their studies or who have already graduated. The programme helps you explore opportunities within finance by working with quantitative specialists to evolve into an integral member of the team.

Quantitative Finance interns are placed in one or more front office Strats teams that are typically aligned to a sales or trading business to work on projects or models. You can expect to take on significant responsibility as soon as you start. You will work directly with sales and trading desks at a senior level and build partnerships with, and learn from, other firm functions such as technologists and risk managers. You will be expected to apply your skills and subject-matter expertise to help them make strategic decisions, develop quantitative edge and new technologies, drive efficiencies and effect changes.

Training Program

Training includes on-the-job training and one-on-one sessions to familiarize you with the Firm's data resources, models, analytical tools, and AIML capability. The curriculum covers market and product knowledge as well as technical training. Throughout the program, you will be continually exposed to Sales, Trading and Management, and you will benefit from networking opportunities with peers and colleagues. You will also be assigned a mentor to ease your transition into the corporate environment, offering career guidance, serving as a sounding board, and helping connect you to the broader Morgan Stanley network. Your co-workers are a diverse group of motivated, experienced industry leaders as well as graduates from top universities who enjoy solving interesting problems in a collaborative environment.

Responsibilities

Strats typically work closely with desks across business lines, are commercially driven and revenue-focused. The following profiles describe the different categories of roles available within Strats. In many cases, an individual role will encompass aspects of each.

• Electronic Trading Strategists – Financial and software engineers who focus on clients using our Algorithmic Trading suite. The goal is to advise, optimize and reduce the cost of execution. You will become familiar with the design and implementation of our algorithmic suite and help shape its evolution. The strategists are client-facing, so adaptability, personality and collaborative interpersonal skills are important.
• Desk Strategists – Use statistical techniques and machine learning to develop and optimize trading strategies, tools, components and flows. Working closely with Electronic Trading Strategists and trading desks, they apply rigorous quantitative research and portfolio construction techniques to design systematic trading strategies and models.
• Modelling Strategists – Use applied probability and numerical analysis to create pricing models and hedging strategies that drive trading decisions. Working closely with trading desks, they enhance Morgan Stanley's ability to trade innovative products and improve risk management.
• Data Strategists – Use advanced big data, machine learning and AI techniques to facilitate data usage, analysis and commercialization. Work closely with trading desks and technology to develop cutting-edge ways to improve data infrastructure, quality and control.

Qualifications, Skills & Requirements

• You have or are studying towards a Master’s or PhD degree and have graduated in 2025 or are graduating in 2026.
• You have a background in mathematics, statistics, engineering, computer science, or a related field.
• You have knowledge of Python, Scala, Java, KDB/q, C++, or a similar programming language.
• You have a keen interest in the financial markets and the drive to work in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment.
• You demonstrate curiosity, creativity, willingness to bring new ideas to the table, and an ability to approach problems differently.
• You take a pragmatic approach to delivering on time.
• You possess practical problem-solving skills with great attention to detail.
• You are able to communicate effectively in both written and verbal English.

Note

Please submit only a CV and Cover Letter in English as part of your application. You may be required to complete a coding assessment as part of your application (you will be notified if required).

What You Can Expect from Morgan Stanley

At Morgan Stanley, we raise, manage and allocate capital for our clients—helping them reach their goals. We do this in a way that’s differentiated, and we’ve done so for 90 years. Our values—putting clients first, doing the right thing, leading with exceptional ideas, committing to diversity and inclusion, and giving back—guide our decisions every day. We have more than 80,000 employees in 1,200 offices across 42 countries. You’ll find an environment where you are supported and empowered, with relentless collaboration and creative thinking fueled by diverse backgrounds and experiences. We offer attractive and comprehensive employee benefits and opportunities to move across the business for those who show passion and grit in their work. To learn more about our global offices, please visit https://www.morganstanley.com/about-us/global-offices.