Platinum & Partners is retained by a top-tier global hedge fund to identify an Applied Machine Learning Quantitative Researcher for a small, highly collaborative team based in the Chicago area. The team is focused on building and evaluating sophisticated predictive models applied to short and mid-term strategies across futures, FX and equity markets.
This is a hands-on research role where you will navigate the full alpha research process — from model design and backtesting through to productionisation — combining rigorous scientific methodology with genuine financial intuition.
THE ROLE
- Conduct quantitative research alongside the Portfolio Manager and senior quantitative researchers to create, refine, backtest and productionise machine learning and statistical models
- Combine financial insight with machine learning techniques to explore, analyse and harness a wide variety of datasets
- Apply a rigorous scientific approach to design and evaluate sophisticated predictive models — both classical statistical methods and nonlinear machine learning approaches
- Stay current on state-of-the-art ML technologies, technical libraries, computing environments and academic research
- Collaborate across books and engage with the full investment process — portfolio construction, risk management and strategy implementation
WHAT THEY ARE LOOKING FOR
- Advanced degree in a technical or quantitative discipline with a specialisation in Machine Learning — strong academic background required
- Solid hands-on experience building and evaluating predictive models using popular ML, deep learning and statistical Python packages
- Experience applying models to short-term and mid-term strategies in futures, FX or equity markets is strongly preferred
- Excellent analytical, quantitative and communication skills
- Linux operating system experience
- C++ and Boost libraries experience is a plus
- Experience with distributed computing environments is a plus
- Knowledge of numerical optimisation and scientific computation is valued
- Publications in top machine learning or statistics journals and conferences are a significant advantage
WHY THIS ROLE
- A top-tier global hedge fund with the data, infrastructure and capital to support serious ML research
- Small, collaborative team — direct access to the Portfolio Manager and senior researchers, real ownership of your work
- Full alpha research lifecycle: from model ideation through to live production — not a narrow, siloed research function
- Applied focus: the emphasis is on models that work in live markets, not academic exercises
- Chicago area — a leading hub for systematic and quantitative trading talent
- Strong compensation package reflecting the firm's Tier 1 position
ABOUT PLATINUM & PARTNERS
Platinum & Partners is the specialist quant and systematic executive search firm.