Pros
1. You basically get to run your own midfreq desk (make your alphas, make a strategy, deploy company money onto strategy). Ofc need to meet benchmarks for each stage, but it's a pure meritocracy. 2. Researchers are open to new ideas. Ideas don't have to be super technical (it's better if it's market microstructure or macro based @ alpha level, and even strategies are preferred to be thematic). 3. Other GARs are very nice people. Newbies are sometimes a bit competitive due to being nervous, but within a month everyone is friends and helps each other out. 4. It's a learning experience. Focus more on doing things than compensation, and you'll get a lot from this job.
Cons
1. A lot of the company is in the weeds rn wrt setting up their hft shop (going from interday to intraday). Stuff is bugged out, but they'll figure it out soon (prob within a few months, if not already) 2. Systematic research (jupyter lab) docs are a bit sparse, but they're getting a lot better at documenting it recently. 3. Manager/employee ratio is very low, so it's a bit of a DIY situation. Reach out to fellow veteran GARs, or other employees (they're quite nice at all levels of hierarchy) 4. It's a learning experience. Compensation structure stresses one out sometimes (the variable cashflows in particular).