AI Research Intern

Our formula for success is to hire exceptional people, encourage their ideas and reward their results.

As an AI Research Intern, you will be an integral member of a team of experienced technologists, quantitative researchers, and traders. You will collaborate closely with other researchers to solve challenging AI and machine learning problems. Your projects will vary depending on priorities at the start of your employment and could include solving forecasting problems or developing large language models (LLMs). We are looking for individuals eager to learn new AI technologies, create innovative solutions, and choose the right tools to directly impact our business. You will be surrounded by cutting-edge technology, given immediate responsibility, mentored by industry-leading experts, and attend a robust training program to ensure your success at DRW.

How you will make an impact…

• Algorithm Development: Creating and testing new AI models and algorithms to solve specific problems or improve existing methods.
• Data Engineering: Building data pipelines for model training and evaluation, including data collection, cleaning, preprocessing, and labeling, while contributing to better data management practices.
• Model Testing & Evaluation: Designing and implementing rigorous testing frameworks to assess model performance and identify areas for improvement.
• Collaboration: Working closely with team members to establish and refine research methodologies, promoting peer reviews, testing, and thorough documentation.
• Research & Learning: Staying updated on the latest AI techniques and advancements, sharing insights, and actively bringing improvements to research processes.

What you bring to the team…

• Are pursuing a PhD in artificial intelligence, machine learning, computer science, or a related field graduating between December 2026 and June 2027.
• Strong foundation in AI concepts.
• Strong knowledge of machine learning.
• Solid technical and programming skills (Python, Java, GitHub).
• Familiarity with machine learning framework (Spark, PyTorch, etc.).
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.
• Deep interest in financial markets.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with NLP tasks
• Knowledge of TensorFlow or PyTorch.
• Basic understanding of MLOps principles (monitoring, versioning, model serving).

Learning Opportunities:

• Gain in-depth experience with cutting-edge ML/AI techniques and model deployment.
• Develop robust machine learning research skills, from data engineering to model evaluation, while contributing to advancements in AI methodologies and practices.
• Contribute to research projects with potential impact on financial decision-making and other applied domains.
• Engage in fostering a collaborative research culture, driving improvements in research quality, and interdisciplinary collaboration.

What to expect during the internship

• Meaningful projects: Each project, advised by a trader, promotes a comprehensive learning experience and provides you with real-world work experience.
• Community: Throughout the summer, we host a variety of educational, social and team-building activities to explore the city, foster friendships and camaraderie.
• Housing: DRW provides fully furnished apartments located close to the office – making your morning commute as easy as possible.
• Mentorship: You’ll build a professional relationship with an experienced mentor in your field. Mentors and mentees meet to discuss goals, challenges and professional development and explore the city together at our mentor outings.
• Education: As the trading industry continually evolves, both in terms of new products and transaction methods, the future will present us with unique opportunities and challenges. You’ll complete an options course taught by an experienced trader and participate in a technology immersion course to better understand how technology and trading intersect.

DRW is a diversified trading firm with over 3 decades of experience bringing sophisticated technology and exceptional people together to operate in markets around the world.  We value autonomy and the ability to quickly pivot to capture opportunities, so we operate using our own capital and trading at our own risk. 

Headquartered in Chicago with offices throughout the U.S., Canada, Europe, and Asia, we trade a variety of asset classes including Fixed Income, ETFs, Equities, FX, Commodities and Energy across all major global markets. We have also leveraged our expertise and technology to expand into three non-traditional strategies: real estate, venture capital and cryptoassets. 

We operate with respect, curiosity and open minds. The people who thrive here share our belief that it’s not just what we do that matters–it's how we do it.  DRW is a place of high expectations, integrity, innovation and a willingness to challenge consensus.  

The annual base salary range for this position is $175,000 to $200,000 depending on the candidate’s experience, qualifications, and relevant skill set. 

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