Hi guys!!I guess I'll have some jobs offers soon 2 (HF, one big and another medium); the work'll be based on quant time series based. And with a big IB bank (sell-side quant researcher). I'm at the entry PhD level (moving from academia). But I'm not sure wich side to start!I guess it is better in a big IB, as you can get the experience and the name for the CV. But HF seems to be also very exciting!! Any suggestions?????? and is it very different sell and buy-side quant work??Thanks guys!I.

my 2 cents:yes, sell sides are different than buy side. Most sell sides or rather all sell sides don't play with their money. Its the money of clients. Also, the job is not connected directly with the market hours. You could come at 9 and leave at 7. If you make a mistake, you loose the client. Buy sides are connected to the trading desk and invest their own money. Mostly, your job shall be tied to the market - being on time , checking the market conditions on a daily basis could be part of the routine. If you make a mistake and no one realizes, then potentially the whole fund could sink! also, I personally believe that hedge funds are over priced. Its good to join them when you are too young (if you loose job, go back to school or find another) or when you have lots of experience ( you really know what you are doing). Many good hedge fund managers have experience with a good IB in the past. I would go to the extent and say that if you want to work for a hedge fund, work with the big names like Goldman, Citi, Bank of america. This way you have both the fun of hedge funds and the name of the big firm. This is all the more important if its your first job.

As a start of your career, go for an Investment Bank for sure.