Machine Learning Researcher

Trading Interview; New York (NY); On-site; USD 250,000 - 300,000; Full time

Job summary

IMC Trading is seeking quantitative researchers to apply state-of-the-art machine learning to solve trading problems. This central ML research team collaborates across trading teams to build models, systems, and tooling for market prediction and portfolio optimization.

You will design and deploy models, prototype new ideas, and manage data preprocessing and feature engineering across structured and unstructured data sources.

Qualifications

• PhD or Master’s in a quantitative field.
• 2+ years of applied ML model experience.
• Experience in trading environment preferred.
• Proficient in Python and ML libraries.
• Strong communication and teamwork skills.

Responsibilities

• Design and deploy ML models to enhance trading performance.
• Research and prototype new algorithmic ideas; deploy advanced ML techniques.
• Collaborate with quantitative traders, researchers, and developers to translate insights into models.
• Manage data acquisition, preprocessing, and feature engineering for structured and unstructured data sources.

Skills

Python

ML models

Publications

Collaboration

Communication

PyTorch

TensorFlow

Jax

Education

PhD or Master’s in Engineering/Math/Statistics/CS

Job description

Chicago, United States; New York, United States

Job Type Full-time

Posted November 2025

Job description

IMC Trading is seeking quantitative researchers with a proven track record to apply state-of-the-art machine learning & deep learning to solve challenging trading problems. This role is part of a central ML research team that collaborates across trading teams at IMC. The ideal candidate will have experience working with other researchers and engineers to build and continuously improve models, systems, and research tooling. We firmly believe that success for research-driven efforts lies in bringing together skills in ML, statistics, and trading intuition as well as a problem-solving mindset and pragmatism. This is an opportunity to dive deep into feature engineering and alpha research, and focus on applying a wide range of ML models as well as to perform research on building custom models.

Your Core Responsibilities:

• Design and deploy machine learning models to enhance trading performance across various asset classes
• Research, test and prototype new algorithmic ideas; deploy advanced ML techniques applicable to market prediction, signal generation, and portfolio optimization
• Collaborate with quantitative traders, researchers, and developers to translate market insights into data-driven features and models
• Manage data acquisition, preprocessing, and feature engineering for structured and unstructured data sources

Your Skills and Experience:

• PhD or Master’s in Engineering, Math, Statistics, Computer Science, or related quantitative field
• 2+ years of experience building applied ML models; previous experience in trading environment preferred
• Proven expertise in developing and deploying predictive models
• Strong programming skills in Python; proficiency in ML libraries such as PyTorch, TensorFlow, and/or high-performance libraries like Jax
• Strong understanding of theoretical foundations of state-of-the-art ML models
• Strong publication track record at ICML, ICLR, NeurIPS, or equivalent
• Ability and desire to work in a collaborative team environment
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

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.

Salary Range $250,000 — $300,000 USD

About Us

IMC is a global trading firm powered by a cutting-edge research environment and a world-class technology backbone. Since 1989, we’ve been a stabilizing force in financial markets, providing essential liquidity upon which market participants depend. Across our offices in the US, Europe, Asia Pacific, and India, our talented quant researchers, engineers, traders, and business operations professionals are united by our uniquely collaborative, high-performance culture, and our commitment to giving back. From entering dynamic new markets to embracing disruptive technologies, and from developing an innovative research environment to diversifying our trading strategies, we dare to continuously innovate and collaborate to succeed.

This description was published by IMC.

For three decades IMC has provided liquidity to the financial markets globally. Specialised in algorithmic trading and advanced technology, we set the pace for the evolution of market making. Cutting-edge…