BOOTSTRAP YOUR CAREER
BOOTSTRAP YOUR CAREER
BOOTSTRAP YOUR CAREER
Signal Genius. Command Opportunity. Make Recruiters Chase You.
FELLOWSHIP CONCEPT
ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE & PUBLICATION
We aim to build the most prestigious graduate quant research fellowship in Africa — one that transforms University of Pretoria students (in partnership with Beta1) into globally competitive thinkers, authors, and future industry leaders.
The core outcome of the Fellowship is to stretch students beyond coursework – toward producing publishable research worthy of the world’s top peer-reviewed journals in finance and quantitative investing.
“Stand Apart. Think Deeper. Be Unignorable.”
Each Fellow is paired with a dedicated research mentor, and all projects are professionally supervised and co-authored by members of the academic team. Students are provided with carefully curated research topics that align with cutting-edge developments in systematic investing, along with structured milestones and editorial guidance throughout the process.
To ensure depth, clarity, and intellectual independence, the Fellowship adopts the Oxford Tutorial Framework — a unique academic system built around:
- One-on-one or small group mentorship,
- Rigorous debate and critique, and
- Intense accountability to ideas.
Used by institutions like Oxford and Cambridge, this framework fosters deep thinking and clarity of expression – preparing Fellows not just to pass exams, but to contribute meaningfully to the global academic community.
The end goal is not just a paper — it’s the transformation of a student into a thought leader.
BENEFITS
Curated Research
Each Fellow is matched with a high-impact research topic, carefully selected to align with current gaps in academic literature and industry relevance. From idea to execution, you’ll receive close mentorship in research design, writing, and editorial refinement — all aimed at helping you publish in respected journals and stand out as a thought leader.
Oxford-Style Tutorials
Rooted in the tradition of Oxford and Cambridge, tutorials offer an intense academic experience through one-on-one and small-group sessions. These discussions foster deep critical thinking, intellectual independence, and the ability to defend ideas with clarity and precision.
On Demand Lectures
Our recorded lectures offer a convenient and accessible way for fellows to learn from our experts. The lectures are carefully designed and recorded to provide a high-quality learning experience and are available on-demand so that you can learn at your own pace and on your own schedule.
They provide an unparalleled opportunity to deepen your knowledge and skills.
Publication in Elite Journals
Transform your research into a globally recognized contribution. With expert guidance, you’ll develop work of publishable quality—targeting top-tier peer-reviewed journals like The Journal of Financial Data Science. It’s not just about writing a paper; it’s about earning your place in the global academic conversation.
Proprietary Codebases
Gain privileged access to proprietary codebases covering cutting-edge machine learning techniques, portfolio construction frameworks, and statistical arbitrage strategies — the same tools used by top quant funds worldwide.
Professional Branding
Receive a tailored photoshoot designed to elevate your public image and academic presence. The result is a polished portfolio that enhances your LinkedIn, conference bios, and research profiles — positioning you with the clarity and confidence of a global professional.
APPLICATIONS
We are looking for Fellows who are ready to contribute – people who want to be challenged and who uplift those around them.
STEP 1
Email: membership@hudsonthames.org
Title: Fellowship Application: [Your Name, Student Number]
CV (1 pager)
- A link to your updated LinkedIn, make sure to highlight your Beta1 membership.
- Your weekly extra-curricular commitments.
- Highlight investment management, maths, stats, computer, and data science modules.
- A link to your Github profile.
Your full academic transcripts (unofficial is fine).
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STEP 2
Short cover letter (250-500 words)
- Why do you want to join the H&T Fellowship, and why should you be considered as a top candidate?
- If accepted, how would you use this opportunity to grow? Where do you see yourself at the end of the Fellowship?
- Tell us what drives you – and what you’re willing to invest in your growth to become one of South Africa’s most respected thinkers in systematic investing.
- If you’ve worked on any research, competitions, or academic projects – no matter how small – tell us. Show us where you’ve demonstrated initiative
FEES
Focusing on students mainly based in South Africa, the fellowship is a free program but limited to 8 students.
FAQ
Can I attend the meetings remotely?
Yes, if you are an international student you can attend reading group sessions remotely. However the majority of members are based in Pretoria and host meeting in the Merensky Library at the University of Pretoria.
What is the schedule for the reading group meetings?
We host a meeting once a week. Recordings are available for those that can’t attend.
Will lectures be recorded?
Yes we record all lectures and upload them to a private channel on YouTube, available to members.
What are the topics that will be discussed at the meetings?
Our core focus is on research topics around systematic investing and the techniques that service that field. Such as trading strategy development, machine learning, alternative datasets, algorithms and data structures. Some early examples can be found on our YouTube Channel.
Can I suggest topics for the group to discuss?
Yes – of course. At the end of each meeting, we discuss follow-up papers. Some examples of past topics are:
Are there any requirements for being a fellow?
Experience in Python and a passion for quantitative finance are the most important factors.
We find that candidates from computer science, engineering, and quantitative finance backgrounds get the most out of the mentorship program.