Co-founder & Head of Quantitative Trading Research

Co-founder & Head of Quantitative Trading Research (FX HST)
Location: UK, remote during initial R&D, hybrid in London during formal operation
Position level: Technical co-founder
Compensation: Equity, + cash salary (subject to successful fundraising)
Company stage: Early-stage fintech, quantitative trading startup

About this opportunity

We are building a proprietary quantum-inspired and AI-enhanced FPGA-accelerated high-speed trading platform focused on FX arbitrage strategies

We are seeking a hands-on quantitative trader to lead the research, design, validation and optimisation of automated high speed trading strategies. You will play a founding role in establishing the firm's trading strategies and shaping its long-term technology roadmap.

The ideal Head of Quantitative Trading Research will combine strong quantitative research capabilities with practical knowledge of spot FX market microstructure and automated trading execution.

Co-founder & Head of Quantitative Trading Research - Responsibilities

Research and develop systematic trading strategies, focusing initially on cross-currency arbitrage, price discrepancies and short-lived (xx to xxx µs level) opportunities
Analyse tick-by-tick market data, order-book dynamics, liquidity, bid-ask spreads, order flow and execution behaviour
Develop quadratic unconstrained binary optimization (QUBO) models for arbitrage opportunity detection
Develop models and workflow for signal generation, trade sizing, hedging and inventory management
Design realistic backtesting and simulation methodologies, accounting for transaction costs, slippage, latency, execution rejection and partial fills
Optimise strategies for profitability, robustness, capacity and risk-adjusted returns
Work closely with the FPGA and software engineers to translate quantitative algorithms into a computationally efficient and reliable execution system
Establish strategy validation standards, performance attribution and reproducible research practices
Support regulated live trading activities, parameter calibration and continuous strategy improvement

Co-founder & Head of Quantitative Trading Research - Qualifications

Strong background in quantitative finance, applied mathematics, statistics, physics, computer science or a related discipline
Proven experience researching or developing high speed/frequency trading strategies.
Strong understanding of FX trading, market microstructure, liquidity and electronic execution
Proficiency in Python or C++
Experience with tick-level financial datasets, backtesting and statistical modelling
Excellent analytical skills and ability to conduct independent research

Co-founder & Head of Quantitative Trading Research - Preferred Experience

Direct experience in proprietary trading, HFT, market making or statistical arbitrage
Demonstrable track record of developing strategies used in live trading,
Familiarity with FX ECNs, DMA and institutional execution protocols
Experience with latency-sensitive strategy design and hardware-accelerated computing, preferably using quantum algorithms
Understanding of machine learning, optimisation and time-series methods

First 6-month objectives

Assess and identify some feasible FX arbitrage strategies from academic research perspective
Build reproducible strategy prototypes and backtesting models with demonstratable results
3Define quantitative performance and risk criteria for live deployment
Support the founder for startup equity fund raising and Investment Fund setting up activities

Co-founder & Head of Quantitative Trading Research - What we offer

Co-founder position with 7-10% equity participation
Cash salary will be offered matching the market standards after successful close of startup equity fundraising, timeframe expected to be 6 to 9 months
Opportunity to develop proprietary trading technology from the ground up using innovative quantum and AI algorithms
Close collaboration with specialists in quantum-inspired FPGA technology and low-latency trading systems
Opportunity to manage an initial £5M trading account for your own P&L book, subject to successful fundraising, appropriate regulatory permissions and agreed risk management limits
Long-term opportunity to build a scalable quantitative trading business as a founding member