Summer 2025 Centralized Data Science and Analytics Intern

NFA is purpose-driven. We safeguard the integrity of the derivatives markets, protect investors and ensure that our Members meet their regulatory obligations. We take pride in our work; maintain a conviction to do the right thing; empower each other; and support our community. Envision your career in a place where performing critical regulatory work within the financial industry is as significant as the diverse, passionate and talented individuals with whom you work.

When you join NFA as a Centralized Data Science and Analytics (CDSA) Intern, you will gain unique insight into the global derivatives industry and its regulatory framework, utilizing the critical thinking, data analysis and technical skills you've developed in the classroom.

Bring your analytical and innovative mindsets. Bring your thirst for knowledge and learning. Bring an aptitude for problem solving and an eye for detail.

Beginning your first day, you'll gain exceptional experiences, personalized learning and invaluable coaching and mentoring. We strive to develop our talented interns into future NFA and industry leaders, and our internship program is designed with that goal in mind.

What you'll do:

As a CDSA Intern, you'll learn alongside a high-performing team of data science professionals in providing meaningful analytics. Those analytics then inform NFA's development of innovative application tools which support our important regulatory mission. Specifically, your responsibilities will include:
  • Creating or updating application tools in Python and/or R using advanced modeling techniques.
  • Developing Tableau dashboards to present data and application output in a meaningful, visually appealing way.
  • Generating ad-hoc SQL queries.
  • Completing code reviews to ensure programs and applications meet organizational standards and end-user requirements.
  • Developing an understanding of internal clients' business needs by learning about NFA's procedures, risk areas and regulatory framework.
  • Participating in and potentially leading CDSA training sessions.
  • Identifying possible technical improvements.


We're committed to educating our interns and providing them with the skills necessary for success. Thanks to industry-specific training classes and our internal educational programs, an NFA internship will enable you to take away important industry knowledge and professional skills you can apply in your future career.

What we're looking for:

Team-oriented individuals thrive in this collaborative, analytical role. We value diverse perspectives and are looking for motivated applicants with a broad range of backgrounds and experiences. If you're eager to apply your quantitative abilities to serve a public good-supporting the integrity of the derivatives markets-and meet the qualifications below, we encourage you to apply to join our team as a CDSA Intern.
  • Pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree in a quantitative major (e.g., mathematical finance, mathematics, statistics, computer science)
  • Experience in data visualization techniques (preferably Tableau)
  • Experience in programming (preferably Python, SQL, R and/or Matlab)
  • Familiarity with object-oriented programming design and large datasets
  • Knowledge of and/or interest in finance or economics
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills
  • Strong analytical, decision-making and problem-solving skills
  • Ability to quickly learn new concepts and adjust to changing priorities/requirements
  • Ability to work in NFA's Chicago office full-time (beginning June 2025)
  • Experience in source control (Git preferred) and test-driven development a plus
  • Experience in Agile/Scrum, Azure Cloud and/or DevOps a plus
  • Experience with machine learning/AI a plus


All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status.

Requisition ID:651

Nearest Major Market: Chicago