Career Kickstarter – Research (Mar 2027)

NWU; Sydney; Hybrid; AUD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Daily breakfast

Lunch included

Coffee and snacks

Job summary

Optiver’s Career Kickstarter: Research is a five-day immersive program designed to accelerate your journey from university to a full-time research career. You’ll gain hands-on experience in market making, options theory, and data-driven trading strategies.

You will be led by Optiver’s education team, participate in lectures, simulations, and mentoring, and potentially receive an offer for the 2028 Graduate Program.

Qualifications

• Final year university students (graduating in 2027 or earlier) with Australian working rights.
• Studying a quantitative or technically focused degree such as Maths, Statistics, Physics, Engineering, CS, Econometrics.

Responsibilities

• Engage in interactive lectures and trading simulations.
• Develop practical industry skills and understand market making and trading strategies.
• Build and test trading algorithms using datasets from real-world financial data.
• Receive mentorship from Optiver’s education team and network with traders and developers.

Skills

Programming languages

Analytical thinking

Collaborative work

Education

Quantitative/technical degree

Tools

Python

C++

FPGA

Job description

Want to fast-trackyourcareerpath from student to full-timeresearcher?

JoinCareer Kickstarter:Research,ourfive-dayimmersiveprogramdesigned to accelerate your journey from university to a full-timeresearchcareer.Experience the fast-paced world ofquantitative tradingand discover what it takes to excel as aresearcher,frommasteringoptions theory todeveloping highlypractical industry skills.

Througha blend ofinteractive lectures, trading simulations, and mentorship from ourworld-classeducation team,you’llsharpen your analytical edge and learn how to think,and act,like aresearcherby the end of the week.

Plus, ifyou’veexcelled in the program, you couldreceive anofferfor our2028GraduateProgram.

• Eligiblefor final year university students(graduating in 2027 or earlier),with Australian working rights


• Program dates:March 2027


• Application close:January 2027


• Where: OptiverSydney office*

*Note: If youresideoutside of Sydney, Optiver will cover your travel and accommodation costs.

Whatyou’lldo

Led by Optiver’s world-class education team,you’llgain a deep understanding of market making and trading strategies,through a blend of hands-on and classroom learning.

Learning and skill development:

• Discoveroptions theory:Learn the fundamentals that underpin options trading,through engaging, interactivelectures.


• Exploretrading strategies:Discover how data, reports, and proposals drive the development of impactful new trading strategies.


• Build and test your owntrading algorithm:Gain hands-on experience designing and testing your own trading algorithm.


• Delve into real-world data:Analyse large datasets based on real-world financial data to better understand how researchers canidentifyprofitable trading signals from the noise.

Networking and culture:

• Gainexpert mentorship:Learn directly from a dedicated team of educators, consistingof current and formerresearchers,tradersand developers.


• Build your network:Enjoyconnectingwithtraders,quantitativeresearchers, anddevelopersthrough curated events.


• ExperienceOptiver’s culture:Immerse in ourincredible culture and enjoy our benefits, including daily breakfast, lunch, coffee, and more.

Who you are

• Final yearuniversity students(graduating in 2027 or earlier).All degree backgrounds are considered.


• An Australian or New Zealand Citizen, Australian Permanent Resident or able to provide evidence of full working rights.


• Studying (or studied) aquantitative or technically focused degree, such as Maths, Statistics, Physics, Electrical / Mechatronic / Software Engineering, Computer Science, Applied / Quantitative Finance or Econometrics.


• Inquisitive and critical thinker, who enjoys creating innovative,new solutions.


• Have a passion for quantitative problems and working in collaborative, dynamic environments.


• Pragmatic, focused on outcomes and can communicate technical concepts well.


• Enjoys utilising technology, programming, or maths in your daily life to solve problems.


• Possess programming experience in any language (C, C++, Python, Basic, JAVA, etc.).

Applying for the program

TheCareer Kickstarterprogram offers threestreams:Research,TradingorTechnology. To help you choose the stream that aligns with your interests, please find more information below.Please note that you can only apply for one stream.

Research

OurResearchersbuild modelsleveragingbig data and machine learning toidentifyprofitable signals that underpin our algorithmic trading strategies.Check out Noah’s ‘Day in the life’ story to learn more.

Trading

OurTradersmake trading decisions based on market conditions and other factors.They’redriven and have a flair for analytical problem solving.Check out Matt’s ‘Day in the life’ story to learn more.

Technology

OurSoftwareandFPGADevelopersplay a critical role in executing successful trades. Driven by the desire to find the simplest solutions to the most complex problems, they design andbuildhighperformancesystemsthat solvereal businessproblems.Check out Brenda’s ‘Day in the Life’ story to learn more.

Who we are

At Optiver, our mission is to improve the market by injecting liquidity, providing accurate pricing, increasing transparency, and stabilising the market no matter the conditions. With a focus on continuous improvement, we prioritise safeguarding the health and efficiency of the markets for all participants. As one of the largest market making institutions, we are a respected partner on 100+ exchanges across the globe.

Diversity statement

Optiver is committed todiversity and inclusion. We encourage applications from candidates from all backgrounds, and welcome requests for reasonable adjustments during the process to ensure that you can bestdemonstrateyour abilities.