About Akuna:

Akuna Capital is an innovative trading firm with a strong focus on collaboration, cutting-edge technology, data driven solutions and automation. We specialize in providing liquidity as an options market-maker – meaning we are committed to providing competitive quotes that we are willing to both buy and sell. To do this successfully we design and implement our own low latency technologies, trading strategies and mathematical models. 

Our Founding Partners first conceptualized Akuna in their hometown of Sydney. They opened the firm’s first office in 2011 in the heart of the derivatives industry and the options capital of the world – Chicago. Today, Akuna is proud to operate from additional offices in Sydney, Shanghai and London.

What you’ll do as a Quantitative Strategy Intern on the Quant Trading & Research team at Akuna:

Akuna’s Quant Strategy Group is a multidisciplinary team composed of traders, quant developers, and researchers embedded with specific trading desks. The team is looking to add Quantitative Strategy Interns for our 10-week Akunacademy internship program who will make a direct and measurable impact on our trading decisions and performance. 

We are searching for creative thinkers with strong programming backgrounds who can convert ideas into trading solutions, tighten our innovation cycle through rapid prototyping of performant production code, and have the desire to develop a deep understanding of financial markets. Quant Strategy Interns are expected to build on these skills to communicate fluently with traders, quants, and engineers in their own domains.

No prior experience with financial markets is required. In this role you will:

• Identify and execute on ideas to further automate our trading
• Quantify the expected and actual impact of innovations on our results
• Develop and maintain ownership over automated trading strategies
• Receive exposure to 4 different trading desks

Requirements for this role:

• Pursuing a BS/MS/PhD degree in a technical field – Engineering, Computer Science, Math, Physics (or related subject)
• Strong programming skills in Python 
• Desire and ability to learn the intricacies of financial markets
• Must graduate by August 2026
• GPA of 3.5 or above
• Legal authorization to work in the U.S. is required on the first day of employment including F-1 students using OPT or STEM

Qualities that make great candidates:

• Strong math aptitude, numerical and quantitative analysis skills 
• Entrepreneurial self-starter ready to work in a fast paced and competitive team environment
• The ability to communicate effectively and efficiently across multiple domains 
• Exposure to financial markets and trading

In addition to technical skillsets, Akuna values the unique perspectives people can bring to the table to collaboratively solve complex problems and drive Akuna forward. We want all women and underrepresented groups to feel empowered to apply, even if you don’t meet every qualification. We welcome your application and encourage you to take the first steps toward your future with us! 

Please note: By submitting an application to this role, you are indicating this is your top preference and acknowledge you will not be considered for other Quant and/or Tech roles at Akuna this recruiting season. This acknowledgement does not limit applications to Trading roles - in addition to this role, you may apply to any Trader roles of interest. 

**Resumes must be submitted in PDF format.