2021/2022 Performance Researcher Graduate

• $200K first year package (2022 start), plus an abundance of perks and benefits
• Relocation assistance if based outside of NSW, including flights and accommodation
• Start dates available for mid-2021 and Feb 2022

What you'll work on

Performance Researchers use data science, reverse engineering and computing fundamentals to improve the success of our trading systems. You'll develop hypotheses about how to improve our competitive success and test them experimentally under real-world conditions and constraints. You'll direct development efforts and build tools to optimise our low-latency strategies. You'll work with cutting-edge technology, from custom FPGA hardware and picosecond precision latency, to microwave communications and more. You'll analyse terabytes of systems and network capture data to process and discover hidden patterns. You'll reverse engineer networks and systems to understand how to optimise our trading.

What you'll learn

Thanks to our custom-built trading systems and pricing expertise, we're at the forefront of quantitative trading. You will gain experience with low-latency trading strategies and how to optimise them for the most competitive markets. You'll develop an 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 eight 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 take on your own responsibilities.

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 a variety of experience – from designing models and randomised controlled trials to test your theories, to optimising network configurations and running custom FPGA hardware.

Who you are

You are a creative, critical thinker, who takes ideas apart to understand the 'why'. You're an inquisitive sceptic who is excited to test yourself in one of the most competitive areas of the financial markets. In addition, you:

• Love getting into the details of problems and understand how to decompose big challenges into solvable pieces.
• Are pragmatic and focused on outcomes.
• Enjoy utilising technology, programming or maths in your daily life to solve problems
• Possess programming experience in any language (C, C++, Python, Basic, Java, etc.);

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

Eligibility

• You study a highly quantitative or technically focused degree – Maths, Statistics, Physics, Elec / Mechatronic / Software Engineering, Computer Science, Applied/Quantitative Finance or Econometrics.
• A final year/Honours/Masters/PhD student or a recent graduate (up to 4 years)
• An Australian or New Zealand Citizen, Australian Permanent Resident or able to secure full working rights after graduating

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.

At Optiver, we do things a bit differently to most businesses. We operate without clients. We play by our own rules and maintain an informal culture to make sure it's fun. We skip the mindless meetings and get on with it. And we celebrate high performance, individual excellence and doing better every day. We take serious things very seriously – like chasing wins and embracing the challenges of the market. We collaborate to solve open-ended problems in the most competitive market there is. We're about fast feedback and speedy solutions. Since we take the risk, we reap the rewards. And that's just how we like it. We collaborate to innovate. We share knowledge, ideas and the glory when everything goes right.

More than 1000 Optiverians around the world work to improve the market. Optiver's a powerhouse of creative problem-solving and collaboration. It's an incredible team to be a part of. 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 genuinely high performing environment. We support our people with a range of benefits, all designed to make life a little better. From free lunches to corporate social responsibility initiatives, generous leave policies and gym memberships, there are plenty of ways to get more out of life as an Optiverian. There are also plenty of ways to unwind, from our famous games room, social clubs and our many internal sports teams to weekly massages, meditation training and lots of other wellness perks. 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.

We recruit on a rolling basis so the sooner you apply, the sooner you could secure your Graduate role!

Optiver embraces diversity and strives to provide an inclusive professional experience. We encourage applicants from all backgrounds and we are committed to providing a fair and respectful recruitment process. If you have any requirements for reasonable adjustments to enable you to fully demonstrate your abilities, please let us know how we can accommodate you.

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