In a field known for complexity, Prof. Jörg Kienitz makes it practical, personal, and even a bit poetic. Prof. Kienitz is a name you’ll find in both the boardroom and the classroom. He’s a Director at m|rig GmbH, a Quant Researcher at Standard Bank, and teaches at both the University of Cape Town and the University of Wuppertal. His work bridges deep technical research, practical finance, and high-level model validation, all while mentoring the next generation of quants.
But there’s more to him than equations and code. He’s also a nature photographer, reminding us that creativity and precision are not opposites. I had the priveledge of speaking to him for Calculated Conversations and in this conversation, we explore how he balances industry and academia, why curiosity is a quant’s most valuable skill, and what it really takes to stay sharp in a field that’s constantly evolving.
If you’re curious about the real mindset behind modern quantitative finance, this one’s for you!
1. You are active in both industry and academia. How do your roles at m|rig GmbH, Standard Bank, and the University of Cape Town influence one another?
The academic roles are more of a hobby. I supervise a PhD student and teach Masterclasses as part of my work at AIFMRM. At the University of Wuppertal, I’m involved in guiding Master’s thesis projects. These academic activities help me explore areas of quantitative finance research. Supervising PhD students, in particular, allows me to dive deep into topics without getting bogged down in detailed derivations or programming. It’s more about guiding, generating ideas, and helping overcome research hurdles.
On the industry side, those roles pay the bills. That said, the practical work often inspires the academic side, giving me a deeper understanding of how models and methods are applied in real-world scenarios.
2. For someone considering a career as a quant or financial engineer, what foundational skills or mindsets should they focus on early?
Curiosity is essential. It helps you push through tough phases, whether it’s grappling with complex math or debugging code. Programming, especially, can be frustrating, like hunting for hidden bugs, but you have to persist until you solve the problem. The satisfaction of finding a solution is its own reward, though you should also make sure you’re properly compensated for your problem-solving skills.
3. With so much change in the markets and the rise of alternative reference rates, how do you approach staying current and relevant in such a technical field?
Realistically, you can’t stay on top of everything. I closely follow some developments but only dive into others when a project or market need arises. Keeping up takes significant time outside of work, like reading papers, implementing things yourself, etc. If you want to stay sharp in certain areas, I recommend hands-on programming. It quickly shows you where you need to dig deeper.
4. You have a deep background in mathematics, yet you are also a nature photographer. How do creativity and precision meet in your life and work?
Getting into nature and focusing on photography helps me disconnect, which is crucial for staying productive. At the same time, working with math keeps my mind sharp, which also benefits my photography. The two disciplines influence each other in both directions.
5. Many aspiring quants worry about not coming from top schools or traditional finance hubs. What advice would you give them about finding their edge?
Talented people will find their way, but connections and reputation do matter. A degree from a prestigious institution can help because some of that reputation rubs off on graduates. That said, if you can make it in New York, you can make it anywhere.
6. What project, idea, or challenge has excited you the most in the past year?
Exploring machine learning and statistical learning in combination with traditional quantitative finance has been exciting. Another idea worth pursuing is developing a lightweight, easy-to-use quant library. Something less over-engineered than QuantLib. Maybe as an open-source project… if anyone wants to fund it.
A huge thank you to Prof. Jörg Kienitz for joining me on Calculated Conversations. His ability to connect industry, research, and creativity is rare, and I walked away from this conversation with a deeper appreciation for how versatile and human quant finance really is.
If you’re curious to learn more about Prof. Kienitz’s work, take a look at his profiles and research below:
📌 UCT Profile
📌 University of Wuppertal Profile
📌 m|rig GmbH
Here are a few insights I’ll be thinking about:
✔️ Curiosity is your edge. It keeps you going when the math gets tough or the code won’t compile.
✔️ Academic research and industry practice can fuel each other, especially when you focus on ideas, not just execution.
✔️ You do not have to choose between logic and creativity. Some of the sharpest minds operate at the intersection of both.
Thank you again, Prof. Kienitz, for sharing your story and your wisdom. It was a privilege!
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