Job Specifications
Machine Learning Researcher (NLP) — Newly Launched Mid-Frequency Pod
Location: New York (preferred) | Hybrid considered
The Mandate
Think state-of-the-art alternative data research meets low-latency execution. This is an opportunity to join a newly formed mid-frequency pod as the ground-zero hire and own the NLP research agenda end-to-end—from data acquisition and modeling through execution-aware backtesting and live deployment.
Why This Seat
Impact from day one: Your research becomes production PnL.
Serious tooling: GPU/CPU clusters, rich alt-data estate, feature stores, model registries, and low-latency connectivity across major venues.
Autonomy with support: Set the roadmap while partnering with experienced portfolio mangers, specialist researchers and execution teams.
Upside: % of PnL payouts negotiable for exceptional performance.
What You’ll Do
Build NLP-driven alpha signals from news, filings, transcripts/audio, web, and social/alt-data (horizons: hours → multi-day).
Design and fine-tune transformer/LLM models (representation learning, event extraction, sentiment, topic/causal features, long-context).
Run execution-aware backtests (slippage/impact, timestamp alignment, leakage control), regime/stress tests, and capacity analysis.
Translate signals into portfolios with robust risk controls, attribution, and real-time monitoring.
What You Bring
Experience: 3–8 years in quantitative research with a primary focus on NLP/ML for alpha; evidence of live or production-grade performance in mid-frequency strategies.
Education: PhD (preferably) or MSc in Computer Science (artificial intelligence, natural language processing, machine learning, deep learning)
Technical: Exceptional Python skills required; PyTorch/TF/JAX; distributed training/processing (Ray/Dask/Spark); SQL (kdb+/q a plus).
Methodology: Strong in embeddings, sequence modeling, retrieval/knowledge integration, prompt/fine-tuning, evaluation/interpretability.
Market Acumen: Understanding of microstructure and transaction costs; ability to link text events to price/volume across futures/FX/equities.
Operating Style: Detail-oriented, empirical, delivery-focused; sets a clear research agenda and collaborates well with engineers and traders.
Compensation & Preferences
Non-compete: ≤12 months preferred; exceptional profiles with up to 24 months considered.
Compensation: $250k-$400k + benefits; P&L participation negotiable for outstanding candidates. (**This is not a guarantee of compensation or salary; a final offer amount may vary based on factors including but not limited to experience, domain expertise, and geographic location.)
At Onyx Alpha Partners, we are committed to connecting the most sought after talent in the financial world, to opportunities that expand the universe of unconstrained performance within their chosen discipline. If this opportunity aligns with your career aspirations, we encourage you to apply and explore the potential for growth and unparalleled success.
About the Company
Building the future of quantitative trading, one hire at a time.
Onyx Alpha Partners is an executive recruitment firm specializing in quantitative strategies. We connect the world’s leading trading firms with exceptional talent across semi-systematic and systematic strategies.
Our specialist expertise includes but is not limited to: statistical arbitrage, relative value fixed income, futures, crypto options and equity options.
From signal discovery to execution optimization, we place professionals who are pioneering inn...
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