What is it really like to run a quantitative trading firm in China? How is AI transforming the search for alpha — and could it change what aspiring quants need to learn to break into the industry?

In this episode of The Quant Finance Podcast, we sit down with Cai Junfu, founder of Shengheng Investment, for an insider's perspective on quantitative trading, China's financial markets, artificial intelligence and careers in quant finance.

From studying computer science at NUS and quantitative finance at Carnegie Mellon to trading at GETCO, a pioneer in high-frequency trading, Junfu has spent nearly two decades in the industry. Today, he runs his own quantitative investment firm focused on China's onshore markets.

We cover:

• China's quant industry: How market structure, regulations and trading restrictions create unique challenges and opportunities

• HFT and systematic investing: Why China's trading environment is pushing firms towards longer-horizon strategies, and how Chinese and Indian quant firms compare

• AI and the future of alpha: How machine learning, alternative data and computing power are reshaping the competitive landscape

• Is coding becoming obsolete? Why Junfu's firm now relies heavily on AI-generated code, and whether students should still learn Python and C++

• Careers in quant finance: What different roles involve, what firms look for when hiring, and how to prepare for quant interviews

• Standing out as a candidate: Why problem-solving ability, interesting projects and genuine curiosity matter

• Opportunities in China's markets: How market inefficiencies and trading restrictions shape quantitative investment strategies

• Lessons from an entrepreneur: Junfu's advice on taking risks, building a career and finding fulfilment in quantitative trading

Whether you're exploring a career in quant trading, quantitative research, HFT or systematic investing — or simply interested in the future of China's financial markets — this episode offers perspectives directly from someone working at the forefront of the industry.

The Quant Finance Podcast explores the companies, careers, technologies and ideas shaping quantitative finance, helping the next generation understand the industry and how to break into it.

Guest: Cai Junfu, Shengheng Investment
https://www.linkedin.com/in/caijunfu/

Hosts: Assoc. Prof. (Practice) Nelson Lau, Nanyang Business School, NTU, and Kairui Ying, NTU Master of Science in Financial Engineering student
https://www.linkedin.com/in/kairui-ying/

What does it actually take to break into quantitative finance - and what is the industry really like once you get there?

In the first episode of The Quant Finance Podcast, we sit down with Chid Periakaruppan of AlphaGrep, a global quantitative trading and investment firm, for an insider’s look at careers, trading, technology and the changing landscape of quant finance.

Chid has spent more than 20 years in finance, from equity derivatives at UBS to quantitative trading at GETCO/KCG and now AlphaGrep. He shares what he has learned from working across traditional finance, high-frequency trading and systematic investing - and what aspiring quants should know before trying to enter the industry.

We cover:

• What quantitative finance actually looks like inside a trading firm
• The differences between quant researchers, quant traders, quant developers and low-latency developers
• What firms really look for on a student’s CV
• How to demonstrate genuine interest in markets when you have little or no industry experience
• What to expect from quant interviews and internships
• The technical skills that matter - from programming and statistics to modelling and low-latency C++
• Why soft skills, resilience and willingness to “get your hands dirty” matter more than many students expect
• Pod-style firms vs collaborative firms - and why the distinction matters when applying for jobs
• How high-frequency trading is changing as firms expand into longer-horizon systematic strategies
• Whether AI will transform alpha research - or simply create more sophisticated overfitting
• Why compute, data and infrastructure are changing the competitive landscape
• Opportunities in emerging markets including India and China
• Where Singapore fits into the global quant ecosystem
• The misconceptions students often have about a career in quantitative finance

If you’re a student, graduate or early-career professional wondering how to get into quant trading, quant research, systematic investing or HFT, this episode gives you a candid look at how the industry works - directly from someone who has spent decades inside it.

The Quant Finance Podcast explores the companies, careers, technologies and ideas shaping quantitative finance, with a particular focus on helping the next generation understand how to break into the industry.

Featuring Chid Periakaruppan, AlphaGrep.

This episode is hosted by Assoc. Prof. (Practice) Nelson Lau of Nanyang Business School and Shanmitha Janakiraman.