Index Options Volatility Trader

IMC

We are looking for an Index Options Low-Latency Execution Quantitative Trader to join our team. IMC's Index Options desk is one of the leading electronic liquidity providers in index options markets. Our execution team is responsible for getting IMC into the trades we want to participate in, across a range of mechanisms. Our ultra-low latency infrastructure is best-in-class, and because IMC is highly collaborative between traders, quant researchers, and developers, the scope of this role spans deep trade analysis, execution system improvement, and early ownership of a defined part of the strategy. YOUR CORE RESPONSIBILITIES: * Drive revenue in low-latency index options trading by building upon and improving our electronic execution systems * Deliver high-quality analysis using a variety of datasets, including options pricing, trades data, and exchange feed * Dive into specific trade examples to understand the behavior of our systems and those of our competitors, identify anomalies, and quantify opportunities * Use backtesting and analysis tools to predict the impact of changes to our execution systems and continuously improve our performance * Work collaboratively with traders, quant researchers, and developers to bring ideas from inception to production * Take early ownership of a defined area of the strategy, for example a certain exchange or execution type, and grow into setting multi-month improvement plans YOUR SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE: * 2+ years of experience in low-latency index options execution, including liquidity providing and taking * Strong understanding of exchange microstructure and how automated trading systems interact with exchanges * Entrepreneurial mindset with a competitive nature, strong ownership mentality, and a bias toward action * Ability to perform efficient analysis on large datasets in Python * Preference for relevant tertiary qualifications (graduate or post-graduate) in a quantitative field: mathematics, computer science, statistics, or similar, with strong academic results * Strong communicator, able to collaborate effectively across trading, research, and development teams 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. Salary Range $250,000—$250,000 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.

IMC

Our Index Options team chases edge in volatility valuation, detailed execution, and fast technology. We are making a big push in our ability to price vol and take risk, with the goal of growing into a leading volatility desk in the marketplace. We are a highly collaborative group of generalists and specialists. Together we strive to have deep expertise, ownership, and innovation in the topic areas that are important to winning in the Index Options space.  Your Core Responsibilities * Maximize revenue by identifying and monetizing short- and long-term mispricing, as well as managing the resulting positions * Monitor and react to volatility shifts, liquidity changes, and macro events * Take ownership of index options trading books across EU and/or US markets with a focus on opportunistic, high-risk/high-reward strategies * Deploy directional and volatility-based trades with strong conviction, backed by market intuition, quantitative signals and rigorous scenario analysis * Collaborate with quants and engineers to refine pricing models and volatility surfaces and to improve execution tools, automation and latency * Back test signals and validate new trading ideas * Provide feedback to enhance risk systems, scenario tools, and vol surfaces * Perform post-trade reviews to continuously improve execution and hedging * Be able to take lots of responsibility and ownership early in your time here to drive the strategy forward Your skills and experience: * 2+ years of Index Options Volatility trading experience * BS, MS, or PhD, preferably in business, economics, or STEM * You have an entrepreneurial mindset and a healthy appetite for risk * You have a proven ability to act and make decisions in a fast-paced and competitive environment * You are analytical, passionate about reflecting on past trades, and always seeking to do better * You have a deep understanding of fundamental drivers of volatility dynamics * Strong proficiency in Python 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.

IMC

IMC is a global market maker, using advanced technology and sophisticated strategies to trade across major financial markets. With offices in Amsterdam, Chicago, and Sydney, we combine deep market expertise with cutting-edge systems to provide liquidity around the clock. As we expand our presence in the index options space, we are looking for an experienced and highly driven Index Options Trader with a deep understanding of volatility and risk, and a strong appetite for taking directional positions. This is a high-impact role for someone eager to deploy capital with conviction, influence strategy, and help shape one of the most dynamic areas of our trading business. Your Core Responsibilities: * Take ownership of a major index options trading book across APAC markets, with a focus on opportunistic, high-risk/high-reward strategies. * Deploy directional and volatility-based trades with strong conviction, backed by market intuition, quantitative signals, and rigorous scenario analysis. * Actively manage risk and exposure in real time, leveraging your deep knowledge of index behaviour, macro events, and volatility dynamics. * Collaborate with quant researchers, developers, and execution specialists to continuously refine models, trading logic, and infrastructure. * Contribute to strategic growth initiatives, including new index product rollouts, region-specific opportunities, and innovation in volatility surfaces. * Mentor junior traders, and play a leadership role on a high-performance trading desk. Your Skills and Experience: * 5+ years of experience trading index options or related macro volatility products with proven PnL in high-risk discretionary or systematic strategies. * Deep expertise in options pricing, volatility surfaces, and complex risk/reward scenarios, especially around macro catalysts. * Exceptional decision-making under pressure, with the confidence to size positions and challenge consensus views. * Preferred experience in APAC indices – eg. Japan, Hong Kong, Korea. * Technically conversant with data analysis tools and risk modeling frameworks. * Highly entrepreneurial, intellectually curious, and constantly looking for an edge.   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.