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 Virtual Quant Trading Challenge Participant:

Are you quantitative, competitive, proficient with Python and looking to test your skills in a Quantitative Trading environment? Break into the Trading industry by participating in our latest simulation! Candidates will gain hands-on trading experience by writing their own market-making bots which will compete against one another on a simulated exchange. The most profitable submissions will win Akuna swag and expedited recruitment processes in our 2025 Quant full-time and internship roles in Chicago!

The challenge will take about 3-5 hours to complete, and the competition will be open for 1 week (from August 15th - August 22nd).

Qualities that make great candidates:

• Able to dedicate 3-5 hours uninterrupted to complete the challenge from August 15th through August 22nd, 2024.
• Pursuing a BS/MS/ PhD in Engineering, Economics, Statistics, Mathematics, Computer Science, Actuarial Science or a related/equivalent field.
• Strong math aptitude, statistical and quantitative analysis skills.
• Strong Python programming background.
• Entrepreneurial self-starter ready to work in a fast paced, competitive, team environment.
• Desire and ability to learn the intricacies of financial markets.
• Major GPA of 3.5 or above
• Graduating between December 2025 – August 2026.

Application Process:

• Applications open on 7/1/2024.
• Submit your resume and a one-page/500 words max motivation letter describing your interest in Akuna Capital and detailing what sets you apart from other applicants.
• A limited number of candidates will be invited to join the Quant Trading challenge.
• Individual submissions only – no teams.
• Top performers will have the opportunity to be expedited to final round interviews for our roles within our Quant department at the end of the program.

**Resumes and motivations letters must be submitted in PDF format.