Quant Researcher- Market Microstructure / Low-Latency Strategies

About Akuna: 

Akuna Capital is an innovative trading firm with a strong focus on collaboration, cutting-edge technology, data driven solutions, and automation. We specialize in providing liquidity as an options market-maker – meaning we are committed to providing competitive quotes that we are willing to both buy and sell. To do this successfully, we design and implement our own low latency technologies, trading strategies, and mathematical models. 

Our Founding Partners first conceptualized Akuna in their hometown of Sydney. They opened the firm’s first office in 2011 in the heart of the derivatives industry and the options capital of the world – Chicago. Today, Akuna is proud to operate from additional offices in Sydney, Shanghai, London and Singapore.

What you’ll do as a Quantitative Researcher at Akuna:

Akuna’s Quantitative Trading and Research team is looking to add Quant Researchers to a team of mathematicians, statisticians, and technologists. This team creates trading strategies scientifically by combining its quantitative expertise with sophisticated understanding of derivatives and financial markets. We are looking for talented researchers who can help improve Akuna’s performance and execution. In this role you will:

• Gain deep knowledge of numerous worldwide exchanges, including their features, connectivity, and messaging
• Analyze and model market and competitor behavior and market impact
• Help identify, design, backtest, and optimize low latency strategies using big data
• Build metrics to evaluate strategy execution and perform post trade analysis
• Work with traders and developers to identify and incorporate new signals into our trading strategies
• Identify and implement infrastructure improvements to minimize overall latency and maximize performance

Qualities that make great candidates:

• BS/MS/PhD degree in a technical field – Engineering, Computer Science, Math, Physics, or similar
• Substantial programming skills in Python (C++ or Java are a plus)
• Experience working with large datasets, especially tick data
• Experience working with and analyzing low latency trading strategies
• Knowledge of networking and low latency networking techniques a plus
• Knowledge of statistical modeling and time series analysis a plus
• The ability to react quickly and accurately to rapidly changing market conditions, including the ability to quickly and accurately respond and/or solve math and coding problems are essential functions of the role

In addition to technical skillsets, Akuna values the unique perspectives people can bring to the table to collaboratively solve complex problems and drive Akuna forward. We want everyone to feel empowered to apply. We welcome your application and encourage you to take the first steps toward your future with us!

In accordance with Illinois Equal Pay Act, the minimum base salary starts at $130,000. Exact compensation offered may vary based on many factors including, but not limited to, the candidate’s experience, qualifications, and skill set. This role is also eligible for a discretionary performance bonus as part of the total compensation package, in addition to the benefits listed here: https://akunacapital.com/our-culture#benefits. The minimum base salary herein was determined in good faith by Akuna Capital LLC.