2021 Graduate Quantitative Researcher

• $170K first year package, plus an abundance of perks and benefits
• Relocation assistance provided if based outside of Sydney, including flights and accommodation
• Start date Feb 2021

Our Research teams consist of a variety of skillsets, all aiming to continually improve our trading success. Specifically, we hire for 1) Performance Engineers and 2) Quantitative Researchers. They share many similar traits and skills; hence we advertise these roles together and through the recruitment process will identify where you best fit.

What you'll work on

Performance Engineers are responsible for the success of our trading systems. You will develop hypotheses and test them experimentally under real-world conditions and constraints. You'll direct development efforts and build tools to monitor and optimise our low-latency trading strategies. You'll work with cutting-edge technology; including custom FPGA hardware, microwaves, and software. You'll have access to terabytes of systems and network capture data to analyse, process and discover hidden patterns. You'll reverse engineer systems to understand how they work and how to utilise them more effectively.

Quantitative Researchers are responsible for the accuracy of our core pricing models and work closely with trading to statistically analyse and predict all facets of derivative pricing. You'll both work to create and improve pricing models and other quantitative elements of our automated trading systems as well as perform extensive analysis on our vast arrays of data to directly improve our trading strategies. Researchers and software engineers on this team work together closely with our traders. They find solutions to problems, test those solutions with historical parameters and market data, and then drive changes to our trading system that will improve our ability to make successful trades.

What you'll learn

Thanks to our in-house built trading systems and pricing expertise, Optiver is on the forefront of quantitative trading. You will develop a deep understanding of the models and technology that allow us to continually provide prices for a substantial number of financial products across Asia. You'll spend your first 8 weeks in a highly interactive training program alongside Traders, Software Developers and Researchers, learning the ins and outs of quantitative trading. From there you'll join our research teams and begin to take on your own responsibilities.

Performance Engineers: You will learn how our trading systems operate and how to optimise them for the most challenging and competitive markets in Asia. You'll be mentored by a senior member of our research team. You will gain experience from designing models and randomised controlled trials, to details about optimising network configurations and running custom FPGA hardware.

Quantitative Researchers: You'll learn how to utilise mathematical modelling to improve our understanding of the relationships between financial instruments. You will also develop an understanding of how to build upon the signals and measures that drive many key trading decisions.

Who you are

You are a creative, critical thinker; an inquisitive sceptic who, when told that something "just is", starts to take it apart and understand why. You're excited to test yourself in one of the most competitive areas of the financial markets. In addition, you:

• Are pragmatic and results oriented; our goal is to deliver solutions, not research papers.
• Enjoy utilising math in your daily life to solve problems
• Possess programming experience in any language (C, C++, Python, Basic, JAVA, etc.);
• Can apply fundamental concepts of probability, calculus and linear algebra
• Are capable of drilling into details and data with accuracy

Much of the technical skillset for this role can be learnt. What we truly value is your aptitude, growth mindset, drive for success and enjoyment of collaborative problem solving.

Eligibility

• You have a distinction average in a highly quantitative or technically focused degree - Maths, Statistics, Physics, Elec / Mechatronic / Software Engineering, Computer Science, Applied/Quantitative Finance or Econometrics.
• You're a final-year/Honours/Masters/PhD student or a recent graduate (up to 4 years).
• You're an Australian/New Zealand Citizen or Australian Permanent Resident.

Who we are

Optiver. It's a combination of the Dutch words for 'trading' and 'options'. And that's what we do. We're a leader in Options trading (and other financial products) on the world's financial markets.

Optiver's a different beast. We don't have clients. Or dress codes. We don't have a stifling organisational hierarchy. And we don't have the ego-driven culture you might be expecting from finance. That's not us. We're about the challenge. Our people are driven to solve open-ended problems in the most competitive market there is. We celebrate fast feedback and quick solutions. With more than 1000 people around the world working to improve the market, Optiver's a quiet powerhouse of creative problem solving and collaboration. We like challenges. We love success. And we're proud of our culture, designed to give you plenty of opportunity and support to do amazing things.

What we offer

Optiver is a truly high performing environment. We make life easy for you by taking care of the little things. Like lunch, which our in-house chefs prepare every day. And coffee, free from our barista. And fitness, with your free gym membership and access to group training sessions. There are massages every week, meditation training and lots of wellness perks. There are also plenty of ways to unwind, from our famous games room and social clubs to our many internal sports teams. And with a culture that celebrates wins, you can bet that from our monthly social events, annual trip, Christmas party and more, you'll find time to meet your fellow Optiverians and enjoy a party or two.

Optiver also believes in getting better every day. Our internal learning and development programs are designed to help you get to the next level. With in-house experts, a structured learning program and plenty of opportunities to learn as you work, you're always developing new skills. Which helps when you're solving the most interesting problems in the world.

Want a career with challenge, variety and plenty of reward? Take up the challenge and apply today!

Applications close on 24 August 2020. We recruit on a rolling basis so the sooner you apply, the sooner you could secure your Graduate role!

Optiver embraces diversity and encourages applications from people with a disability. Candidates will have the opportunity to request support or reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process in order to demonstrate their ability to meet the inherent requirements of the job.

If you have any questions regarding this opportunity, please contact us at careers@optiver.com.au.