Graduate Machine Learning Researcher - Chicago

IMC Trading; Illinois; On-site; USD 255,000 - 345,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Discretionary bonus

Paid leave

Insurance

Job summary

IMC is a research-driven trading firm where ML and engineering shape how modern markets are traded. As a Graduate Machine Learning Researcher, you will apply advanced ML techniques to real-world trading problems across equities, futures, and options.

You will design, implement, and evaluate ML models for production trading systems, apply rigorous statistics, and collaborate with traders, researchers, and engineers to translate research into deployment.

Qualifications

• PhD in ML or related quantitative field.
• Strong foundations in ML, probability, and statistics.
• Hands-on deep learning experience.
• Proficiency in Python and ML frameworks (PyTorch/TensorFlow/JAX).
• Publications preferred (NeurIPS/ICML/ICLR or equivalent).

Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and evaluate ML models for trading applications with production deployment.
• Apply rigorous statistical techniques to measure performance and control overfitting.
• Investigate novel ML approaches through experiments in real trading environments.
• Communicate research progress and results across teams.
• Collaborate with traders, researchers, and engineers to translate research into production systems.

Skills

ML fundamentals

Deep learning

Python programming

Publications

Research collaboration

Education

PhD in ML/CS/EE/Math/Stats/Physics or related field

Tools

PyTorch

TensorFlow

JAX

Job description

As a Graduate Machine Learning Researcher at IMC, your work will directly impact our global trading strategies. You will apply advanced machine learning, statistical, and computational techniques to solve complex, real-world trading problems, contributing to trading strategies across global equities, futures, and options markets. Machine Learning Researchers work closely with Traders and Developers in an environment where problem solving, innovation and teamwork are recognized and rewarded.

Your Core Responsibilities:

• Design, implement, and evaluate machine learning models for trading applications, with successful research deployed into production

• Apply rigorous statistical techniques to measure performance, control overfitting, and understand model risk and interpretability

• Investigate novel machine learning approaches through rigorous experimentation and analysis in real trading environments

• Communicate research progress and outcomes effectively, ensuring knowledge transfer within the team and across departments

• Collaborate closely with traders, researchers, and engineers to translate research into production trading systems

Your Skills and Experience:

• PhD in Machine Learning, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Mathematics, Statistics, Physics or a related quantitative field

• Strong foundations in machine learning, probability, and statistics, with experience applying advanced ML techniques to solve challenging research or real-world problems

• Demonstrated hands‑on research experience in deep learning fundamentals such as neural network architectures, sequence modeling, training dynamics, or optimization

• Proficiency in Python and modern machine learning frameworks such as PyTorch, Tensorflow, and/or JAX

• Demonstrated research excellence through publications, preprints, research internships, or significant research projects; publications at venues such as NeurIPS, ICML, ICLR, or equivalent conferences are highly preferred

• Ability to commence full-time employment in February or August 2027

You may submit one application per role each year. We strongly encourage you to focus on applying to a single role that best matches your skills and interests. Though you may apply to multiple roles, please note that each application will be evaluated based on the specific criteria established for that particular role. If you have already applied for this position during the current recruitment season and were not selected, you may reapply when the next recruitment season begins in 2027.

The Base Salary range for the role is included below. Base salary is only one component of total compensation; all full-time, permanent positions are eligible for a discretionary bonus and benefits, including paid leave and insurance. Please visit Benefits - US | IMC Trading for more comprehensive information.

Base Salary: $300,000

About Us

IMC is a research-driven trading firm where quantitative modeling, machine learning, and engineering shape how modern markets are traded. A stabilizing force in markets since 1989, we provide liquidity across trading venues, delivering the best outcome in value and risk management to investors. Using our own technology and capital, we build proprietary systems and algorithms that operate across global markets. Our researchers, traders, and engineers work as a collective, combining rapid experimentation, advanced infrastructure, and real-time feedback to turn insight into execution and execution into advantage.