Graduate Machine Learning Researcher - Chicago

IMC

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 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.

Qube Research & Technologies

Qube Research & Technologies (QRT) is a global quantitative and systematic investment manager, operating in all liquid asset classes across the world. We are a technology and data driven group implementing a scientific approach to investing. Combining data, research, technology and trading expertise has shaped QRT’s collaborative mindset which enables us to solve the most complex challenges. QRT’s culture of innovation continuously drives our ambition to deliver high quality returns for our investors.  Your future role within QRT: QRT are a rapidly growing hedge fund trading globally in competitive financial markets across Europe, the Middle East and Asia. As part of the next phase of development we are rolling out hardware platforms to accelerate our trading systems. FPGA development will be at the heart of many of these systems with a focus on high frequency trading.  We are looking for talented hardware engineers with a track record of achievement in any domain. You may have experience of finance and trading, but it is not essential. You probably enjoy solving complex system problems where hardware and software come together to provide high performance solutions. We are looking for a range of experience from graduates through to senior engineers, so your achievements may be in academia or industry. You will have the opportunity to work with the latest technologies and have your voice heard in this fast paced firm. Working with trading teams you will take ownership of: * Translating trading ideas into the most appropriate solutions * Develop RTL on the latest FPGAs with modern design flows * Following through into production, analysing results and optimising Your present skillset: * A deep understanding of FPGA architecture leading to efficient designs * Full lifecycle RTL development including automated verification * Python scripting * A working knowledge of C/C++ development * An ability to see through complexity to identify simple solutions * A realisation that good teamwork is essential to modern development   Base salary range for this position is $180,000 to $280,000 per year.  QRT Total Compensation includes discretionary performance-based bonuses and a competitive benefits package.

IMC

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: * Currently in your final year of study, graduating in 2027 * A minimum of an MSc (PhD preferred) in Machine Learning, Statistics, Deep Learning, Probabilistic Programming, or a related quantitative field * Strong foundations in statistics and machine learning, with a demonstrated research track record in ML, deep learning, or another quantitative field * Proficiency in fundamental ML frameworks like Pytorch and experience in Python * Solid understanding of statistics * Desirable: publications in respected journals covering deep learning or time-series modeling * No prior finance knowledge or experience required * 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 August 2027. We encourage you to focus on enhancing your skillset before reapplying. Please note that, due to current regulations with the Immigratie en Naturalisatiedienst (IND), IMC is unable to obtain immigration sponsorship for candidates who currently have citizenship from Russia, Belarus or Iran, and attend university in one of the aforementioned countries. We greatly appreciate your understanding and hope to consider you for future opportunities. If you have citizenship from Ukraine, you will need to confirm that you currently hold a biometric passport so that IMC can obtain the correct immigration sponsorship for you. Please confirm by emailing CampusEU@imc.com. If you are currently residing or attending university outside of Russia, Belarus, or Iran, and have existing work authorisation in the Netherlands or are eligible to work without sponsorship, we encourage you to apply and inform our campus recruitment team of your situation: CampusEU@imc.com. 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.