Join Bank of America’s Global Quantitative Research Summer Associate Program 2026 in NYC – Masters/PhD students, machine learning focus, competitive pay & career growth.
Table of Contents
💼 Job Role & Category
Role: Global Quantitative Research Summer Associate
Category: Summer Internship Program (Full-Time during Summer)
Location: New York, New York
Application Deadline: January 1, 2026
🏢 Why Join Bank of America?
Bank of America is one of the world’s leading financial institutions, serving individual consumers, small and middle-market businesses, and large corporations with a full range of banking, investing, asset management, and other financial and risk management products and services. With operations in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and more than 35 countries, Bank of America is committed to helping individuals, businesses, and communities succeed through responsible growth.
The company’s culture emphasizes innovation, diversity, and sustainable business practices. Bank of America has been consistently recognized as one of the world’s most admired companies and a top employer for professional development, offering unparalleled opportunities for early-career talent to work on cutting-edge financial research and analytics alongside industry-leading experts.
📝 Job Summary
The Global Quantitative Research Summer Associate Program 2026 offers graduate students an exceptional opportunity to conduct primary research across multiple quantitative finance domains. Summer associates will experience up to three rotations within quantitative equity and credit strategy, rates and rate derivatives strategy, equity derivatives research, and the quantitative systematic investment strategies team. This program is designed to provide hands-on experience in developing trading strategies, modeling financial derivatives, and applying advanced machine learning techniques to real-world financial challenges.
🔧 Key Responsibilities 🔧
During the program, summer associates will conduct primary research in areas including:
- 🤖 Applying machine learning techniques to develop strategies for harvesting risk-premia and asset allocation
- 📊 Investigate market influences by analyzing macro and sentiment factors using natural language processing and deep learning
- 🔬 Utilize data science tools for modeling rates curves and positioning, portfolio construction, and forecasting market anomalies
- 💳 Identify leading indicators of distress in credit markets and model inflection points in earnings with real-time and big data sets
- 📈 Model financial derivatives to identify systematically mispriced assets in order to build alpha-generating trading strategies
- 🛡️ Develop smart dynamic hedging solutions for more efficient risk management of client assets
- 🔄 Rotate across multiple teams including quantitative equity/credit strategy, rates/derivatives strategy, and systematic investment strategies
- 📝 Communicate complex quantitative findings clearly and concisely to both technical and non-technical stakeholders
✅ Who Can Apply?
🎓 Education Requirements
- Candidates must be pursuing a Masters or PhD degree from an accredited college or university
- Graduation timeframe: Between November 2026 and August 2027
- Field of Study: Quantitative Finance, Financial Engineering, or a related technical field that blends advanced quantitative methods with finance and economics
💼 Experience & Skills Required
- ✅ Data Science Expertise: Experience in managing and analyzing large data sets with modern data-science tools
- ✅ Machine Learning: Strong knowledge and experience in advanced machine learning techniques (critical for select rotations)
- ✅ Financial Derivatives: Knowledge of financial derivatives including futures and options and their underlying pricing models (key for derivative-team rotations)
- ✅ Programming Languages: Knowledge of Python, Excel, and SQL (for select rotations)
- ✅ Communication Skills: Distinguished written and verbal communication skills with an ability to communicate complex ideas clearly to non-technical individuals
- ✅ Independent Work: Ability to work independently and drive toward a completed end product
- ✅ Attention to Detail: Strong quality control over own work
- ✅ Research Mindset: Passion and curiosity appropriate for research combined with an ability to rapidly drive results under uncertainty
📜 Certifications
Not specified in job description.
🌍 Work Location & Type
Location: New York, New York
Work Type: Not specified in job description (typically summer programs are onsite/in-person)
💰 Salary Insights (New York Market)
While the exact compensation is not specified in the job description, Quantitative Research Summer Associates at top-tier investment banks in New York typically earn competitive salaries:
- 💵 Expected Monthly Stipend: $8,000 – $15,000/month for Masters students
- 💵 PhD Candidates: $10,000 – $18,000/month
- 💵 Annualized Equivalent: $100,000 – $180,000+ for full-time conversion
- 🎯 Performance-Based Pay: Top performers may receive conversion offers with signing bonuses ($25,000 – $75,000+)
- 📊 Industry Standard: Bank of America is known to offer highly competitive compensation aligned with top Wall Street firms
Note: Compensation varies based on academic background, degree level (Masters vs. PhD), and prior experience. Full-time conversion offers post-program typically include base salary, year-end bonus, and comprehensive benefits.
🎁 Perks & Benefits
Bank of America is known for offering comprehensive benefits packages to its employees, including summer associates:
- 🏥 Comprehensive Health Insurance – Medical, dental, and vision coverage
- 💻 Professional Development – Access to training programs, workshops, and mentorship from senior quants
- 🎓 Learning & Development Budget – Support for continuing education and certifications
- 🏢 Networking Opportunities – Connect with professionals across global markets and trading desks
- 🍽️ Meal Allowances – Complimentary or subsidized meals during the program
- 🚇 Transportation Benefits – Commuter benefits for NYC-based roles
- 🎯 Full-Time Conversion Opportunity – High-performing summer associates often receive full-time offers
- 🌍 Global Exposure – Work on projects with international impact across asset classes
- 📚 Access to Proprietary Tools – Learn industry-leading quantitative research platforms and databases
- 🤝 Diversity & Inclusion Initiatives – Active employee resource groups and inclusive workplace culture
📝 How to Apply
📢 How to Apply for Bank of America Global Quantitative Research Summer Associate Program 2026:
- ✅ Click on the “Apply” button on the official Bank of America careers page
- ✅ Register/Login to the Bank of America recruitment portal
- ✅ Fill in required details including educational background, skills, and experience
- ✅ Upload your resume (PDF format recommended), transcript, and cover letter
- ✅ Complete any required assessments (quantitative, coding, or behavioral)
- ✅ Review all details carefully before submission
- ✅ Submit the application before the January 1, 2026 deadline
⏰ Application Deadline: January 1, 2026
📢 Share this opportunity with friends! 😇
Help your classmates and network discover this amazing opportunity at one of the world’s leading financial institutions!
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1️⃣ What is the selection process for Bank of America’s Quantitative Research Summer Associate Program?
The selection process typically includes:
- Initial resume screening
- Online assessments (quantitative reasoning, coding challenges)
- First-round interviews (technical + behavioral)
- Super day/final round interviews with quantitative researchers and team leaders
- Offer extended to selected candidates
The entire process may take 4-8 weeks from application submission.
2️⃣ Is this a remote or onsite position?
The work type is not specified in the job description. However, summer associate programs at Bank of America typically require in-person attendance at the New York office to maximize learning, networking, and mentorship opportunities. Candidates should be prepared to relocate to New York for the summer program duration.
3️⃣ What programming skills are most important for this role?
According to the job description:
- Python – Critical for data analysis, machine learning, and quantitative modeling
- SQL – For database management and querying large datasets
- Excel – For financial modeling and analysis
- Experience with machine learning libraries (scikit-learn, TensorFlow, PyTorch) is highly valued
- Familiarity with C++ or R may be beneficial but is not explicitly required
4️⃣ Is this program open to international students?
The job description does not specify visa sponsorship or citizenship requirements. International students should:
- Check their visa eligibility (F-1 OPT/CPT status typically required)
- Contact Bank of America’s recruitment team directly regarding sponsorship
- Be prepared to discuss work authorization during the interview process
5️⃣ Can I apply if I’m graduating in December 2026 or later?
Yes! The program requires graduation between November 2026 and August 2027, so December 2026 graduates are eligible. However, you must be currently enrolled in a Masters or PhD program at the time of application.
6️⃣ What are the chances of receiving a full-time offer after the program?
While not guaranteed, Bank of America’s summer programs are designed as a pipeline for full-time talent. High-performing associates who demonstrate:
- Strong technical skills and research output
- Cultural fit and teamwork
- Ability to drive projects independently
…often receive full-time return offers for post-graduation employment.
7️⃣ What is the last date to apply?
January 1, 2026 – It’s recommended to apply early as positions may close before the deadline if filled.
🎯 Final Thoughts
The Bank of America Global Quantitative Research Summer Associate Program 2026 is an exceptional opportunity for graduate students pursuing careers in quantitative finance, fintech, or data science. With exposure to cutting-edge machine learning applications, cross-asset research, and real-world financial modeling, this program offers a launchpad into one of the most competitive and rewarding career paths in finance.
If you’re a Masters or PhD candidate with strong quantitative skills, programming expertise, and a passion for financial markets, this program could be your gateway to a high-impact career at one of the world’s most prestigious financial institutions.
⚡ Don’t miss out – Apply before January 1, 2026!