Hi all,I have recently completed the CQF and have since been offered a Quant Analyst role at a Energy House, starting at a junior quant level. Currently I work in a front office developer role at a top tier investment bank where I have built a strong reputation on the desk I work and where my career is really flying. So taking this new job is very appealing but I am weighing that against leaving the career I have already built. I have a few concerns:1.) If I move to become a Energy Quant will I then be pinned into that specific type of Quant role or would it then be easy to move to other Quant positions?2.) Will the lack of a PhD ultimately hinder me reaching senior Quant positions?3.) If I leave a top tier IB now for a Energy House how will that be viewed by IB's for future quant roles? Any advice much appreciated.Cheers

First, congrats on the offer! I always think that if your gut is telling you to move, then just do so.Afterall, people, juniors especially, stay for reasons usually because they are being paid well, have good reputation in the team, promotion, good prospects, etc...So because you're interviewing, obviously something is missing and your gut feel is telling you too.Credibility is always important and it's something that you should rightly be aware of. Hopefully you have had a good insight of team you were interviewing with. and can picture how you can fit in. When I left my first job I was in a similar position but I'm glad I did move. It has opened more doors and I could always move back to roles similar to my old one. Probably same for you. A quant with experience would certainly be welcomed for a FO developer role should you want to return in the future.. but at least that option is there.As for your questions:1) no idea about energy so not qualified to comment2) not really, it's more of a qualification requirement to get a foot in the door3) I know a lot of banks hiring from energy houses so I guess it depends on the market - if energy is no longer hot property then i guess its more difficult.

It seems to me this either will work out well or not. If good, then yes, most of your career options lie in energy.If it goes bad, then you're a good QD who has gained a good set of quant experience.As the man says, if you were content, you would not be interviewing.So I'd say move.But...You have a career hedge, so now is the time to see if your IB will give you a quant role. You are leaving anyway so there is nothing to lose.

Thanks for the advice, much appreciated.