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 Trader Intern:

We are seeking Trader Interns to join our dynamic team at Akuna Capital for our 10-week internship, Akunacademy, in our Chicago office. The ideal candidate will be a motivated individual with a desire to make an immediate impact at a growing firm. Akuna gives Trader Interns the opportunity to learn from the most successful members of our Trading team and apply their knowledge quickly. 

Our offices provide a positive atmosphere for learning and innovation. We’re committed to providing valuable mentorship from our Senior Traders that will help you to learn quickly, find value from our internship program and make an immediate impact on the business. By the end of our program you’ll be comfortable with both option theory and trade execution, which you will be able to demonstrate live on our trading desks! 

Trader Interns are bright, math-savvy, competitive, ambitious, and have a strong desire to learn how to make markets in a rapidly growing trading firm.  We’ll teach you how to leverage our proprietary technology while implementing a variety of trading strategies and ideas so you can get on the trading screens and make an impact on the bottom line of the firm. If you are looking for an opportunity to start your career at an exciting firm, Akuna is the place for you!

Qualities that make great candidates:

• Pursuing a BS/MS/ PhD in Engineering, Economics, Statistics, Mathematics, Computer Science, Actuarial Science or a related/equivalent field
• Graduating August 2026 and prior; by the start of the internship (June 2025), candidates must graduate with their degree (BS/MS/PhD) within one academic year
• Strong math aptitude, numerical and quantitative analysis skills
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills
• Entrepreneurial self-starter ready to work in a fast paced, competitive, team environment
• Desire to understand and learn about financial markets and economic theories
• Passionate about problem-solving and finding creative solutions in an ever changing market
• Programming experience preferred
• Detail oriented 
• Major 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, CPT, or STEM

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! 

**Resumes must be submitted in PDF format.