Quant ML Research Intern — Real Projects & Mentorship

IMC Trading; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 270,000 - 330,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Discretionary bonus

Paid leave

Insurance

Job summary

IMC Trading is offering a 10-week internship for a Quant Researcher in Chicago, Illinois. Interns will collaborate with mentors, explore research ideas, and build custom analysis tools while gaining knowledge in options theory and market making. Successful interns may secure full-time positions post-internship.

The role demands a PhD student in applied fields like Machine Learning or Statistics, with a strong research and programming background. A competitive compensation package is offered, including a base salary of $300,000.

Qualifications

• Current university student pursuing a PhD, graduating between September 2027 and July 2028.
• Experience in deep learning or relevant publications.
• Demonstrated passion for research and problem-solving.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with Quant Researchers on impactful projects.
• Develop understanding of options theory through instruction.
• Build connections in a rewarding environment.

Skills

Deep learning

Python

C

C++

Problem solving

Research skills

Education

PhD in an applied technical field

Job description

Our Machine Learning Internship is designed for curious, ambitious researchers who want to apply machine learning to complex, real-world problems. Over 10–12 weeks, you'll work alongside experienced researchers and mentors to develop models, analyze large-scale datasets, and contribute to research that informs IMC's trading strategies across global equities, futures, and options markets. You'll gain hands-on experience designing experiments, evaluating novel approaches, and tackling challenging problems in a collaborative, fast-paced environment where your work can have real-world impact.

Throughout the program, you'll deepen your understanding of quantitative trading through a combination of classroom and on desk training, while benefiting from professional development and networking opportunities. We offer a highly competitive compensation package, including travel and accommodation. High-performing interns may be considered for a full-time Graduate Researcher position upon graduation.

Your Core Responsibilities

• Conduct hands-on research to design, develop, and apply original machine learning algorithms, with the support to explore and innovate.
• Analyze large-scale datasets, develop predictive models, and evaluate novel approaches to complex market problems
• Develop your research skills through hands-on project work, mentorship, and regular feedback from experienced researchers
• Enhance your understanding of quantitative trading through classroom-based instruction in options theory, market making, and related topics
  
  

Your Skills And Experience

• Pursuing a PhD in Machine Learning, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Mathematics, Statistics, Physics, or a related quantitative field and graduating between September 2027 – July 2028
• 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
• Must be able to start internship in-person on June 7, 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.