I have worked at a 1bn hedge fund as a quant research analyst for 2 years with a main responsibility to develop model to generate systematic trading signals. The job is interesting itself and my line manger is a very nice and experienced person who instructed me a lot. However, the owner of the fund is tight and thus the pay is not great (base + bonus) in the range of 60k-70k GBP. Recently I got an offer from a large asset management division of real money. The position is a quant strategist and the pay is better (60-70k base+bonus). It seems most people in that team come from economic/trading background and there is no quant working there, so potentially I can learn less from colleagues in terms of quantitative modelling. Can anyone comment if such a movement is good for a junior with 2-3 year experience? What is your view for the pros and cons for a career in HF vs Asset management.Thank you

1. I agree you're underpaid. Do you work late?2. Beware of places where you'll be on your own. Said so, you might end up simply not being a quant there, just something different and learn something different from the people you'll meet there. Which is not necessarily bad, but depends on your preferences.

first quant job in the range of 60k-70k GBP := underpaid?in which Planet do you guys live? Here on Earth this is quite good indeed.

QuoteOriginally posted by: SierpinskyJanitorfirst quant job in the range of 60k-70k GBP := underpaid?in which Planet do you guys live? Here on Earth this is quite good indeed.He's been working for 2 years, if 60-70k is the total comp than he could make more in london (it's not a personal opinion). I mean, of course is a good salary in absolute terms and I don't know what fraction of the total comp is the base and, yes, we live in tough times, but maybe it's just time to switch.