Junior Quantitative Researcher - Prediction Markets

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 Partnersfirst 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 Junior Quantitative Researcher at Akuna:

Akuna's Prediction Markets team is looking to add a Junior Quantitative Researcher focused on sports related contracts. The successful candidate will play a crucial role in developing Akuna’s sports pricing capabilities, working closely with development and trading teams to refine and deploy these models alongside our strategies. This position offers the opportunity to make a direct impact on an exciting new desk at Akuna. The ideal candidate will possess strong programming and analytical skills, a creative mindset, and a passion for sports. In this role you will: 

• Design and develop data capture pipelines to enable the pricing of a variety of sports contracts (match outcomes, player props, in-game events)
• Develop and calibrate pricing models using historical data in service of in-play quoting of sports contracts.
• Build and maintain internal tooling to facilitate all aspects of the research pipeline
• Work closely with trading and development to deploy models into production trading strategies, bridging the gap from research to production with an ownership mentality

Qualities that make great candidates:

• Bachelor’s, Master’s, or PhD degree in a technical field, such as Engineering, Computer Science, Mathematics, or Physics (or a related subject)
• Proficient programming skills in Python (C++ is a plus)
• Deep understanding of fields such as Linear Algebra, Numerical Methods, Statistics, Optimization, and Machine Learning
• Strong interest in sports and quantitative modeling.

We are especially interested in high agency individuals who are keenly interested in sports and prediction markets. Previous experience at a trading firm is valued but not necessary. If you have a strong quantitative background, have been working on personal projects trading Kalshi or Polymarket, and you want the opportunity to grow at a company with deep trading expertise, we want to hear from you!

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 $145,000. 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 and includes a comprehensive benefits package that may encompass employer-paid medical, dental, vision, retirement contributions, paid time off, and other benefits. The minimum base salary herein was determined in good faith by Akuna Capital LLC.