Full-Time
Quantitative Researcher
Akuna Capital
501-1,000 employees
Technology-driven derivatives market making
No salary listed
Sydney NSW, Australia
In Person
 Quantitative Finance (1) |
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- Strong professional work experience in statistics, machine learning, option trading or related area
- Graduated before August 2025 with a BS/MS/PhD degree in a technical field – Engineering, Computer Science, Maths, Physics, or similar
- Proven research background in academic or professional environment
- Experience building mathematical models for complex real-world problems
- Expertise in statistics
- Programming skills in Python
- Develop trading strategies using statistical and machine learning algorithms
- Help identify, design, backtest and optimize low latency strategies using big data
- Build metrics to evaluate strategy execution and perform post trade analysis
- Design and implement optimization algorithms for portfolio construction
- Develop quantitative models describing market behavior
- Advance existing initiatives and explore opportunities for new research topics
- Collaboration, teamwork, and excellent communication skills
- Strong drive to deliver meaningful results
- Financial experience or knowledge of trading is a plus
Akuna Capital is a technology-driven derivatives market maker that provides liquidity in global markets for institutional clients. It operates by continuously quoting buy and sell prices and executing trades through high-speed trading systems, with profits coming from the bid-ask spread rather than fees. The company uses close collaboration between developers, traders, and quantitative analysts to design and refine trading algorithms and risk controls, enabling fast adaptation to changing market conditions. Compared with competitors, Akuna relies on its in-house technology stack and team-based approach to maintain speed and accuracy, focusing on liquidity provision and efficient execution rather than charging commissions. Its goal is to facilitate smooth, liquid markets for its institutional clients while earning small, consistent profits from spreads.
Company Size
501-1,000
Company Stage
N/A
Total Funding
N/A
Headquarters
Chicago, Illinois
Founded
2011
Simplify's Take
What believers are saying
- Coinbase's 2025 Deribit acquisition validates Akuna's $100M stake value.
- Deribit's $1.2T 2024 volume and 85% crypto options share boost liquidity.
- Institutional demand for low-latency APIs aligns with Akuna's core capabilities.
What critics are saying
- CME Group's micro Bitcoin options erode Akuna's crypto market share now.
- SEC targets Akuna's Deribit stake, forcing divestment within 12 months.
- Citadel poaches Akuna quants in 2024, depleting algorithm teams.
What makes Akuna Capital unique
- Akuna Capital specializes in options market making with proprietary low-latency technologies.
- Close collaboration across Trading, Quant, Technology, and Operations drives strategies.
- In-house options simulator trains junior traders on mechanics and mock trading.
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Benefits
Generous Paid Leave Policies - Vacation leave starting at 20 days per year that increases based on tenure, flexible sick leave, primary carer’s leave starting at 12 weeks, and volunteer time off.
Medical & Retirement Packages - 100% coverage of monthly premiums for employees enrolled in Akuna’s BlueCross BlueShield offerings and dental and vision plans, as well as a 401(k) plan with company match.
Wellness & Inclusion - Our employees have access to complimentary fitness and mindfulness events both in-person and virtually, as well as an in-building gym in our Chicago office. Additionally, our employee-led Culture Committee works together to continue building a healthy, positive, and inclusive work environment.
Continuing Education - We are proud to offer firm-wide classes through our Akuna U program, access to webinars, digital books, and case studies via Safari, opportunities to attend conferences, and tuition reimbursements to make sure you keep learning!
Social Events - We host happy hours, team outings and poker nights, sponsor a variety of employee-led clubs and sports teams, and offer volunteer opportunities to all employees.
Kitchen & Games Room - Catch up over a coffee made to order by our in-house barista and grab a bite to eat in our stocked kitchen, or challenge a fellow coworker to a friendly ping pong match in our games room!
Referral Bonuses - We want to reward you for helping us grow our awesome, hard-working team.
Company News
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