Optiver AI PhD Scholarship

The Optiver AI PhD Scholarship recognises outstanding PhD students in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning from leading universities across mainland China.

The initiative is designed to support PhD candidates, whose research advances AI or ML in meaningful ways. Selected scholars will gain early access to Optiver’s traders, researchers and engineers, along with the chance to see how their ideas translate into real quantitative models used in global markets.

Through this scholarship, we aim to build long-term relationships with the AI and ML community, and create clearer pathways for PhD talent who are exploring careers in the industry.

What you’ll get

As a recipient of the Optiver AI PhD Scholarship, you will:

• Receive a CNY 100,000 scholarship award, in recognition of your research excellence and potential. *Awardees will be responsible for any taxes associated with this scholarship.
• Be given priority consideration for Optiver’s internship programs, offering hands-on experience in applying AI and ML to real-world quantitative problems.
• Join a growing community of high-achieving scholars driving innovation at the intersection of AI, ML, and quantitative finance.

Who you are

We are seeking exceptional PhD students who meet the following criteria:

• Enrolled in a PhD program in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, or a related discipline at a mainland China university.
• Expected to graduate in 2027 or later, with at least two years remaining in the program.
• Demonstrated record of academic excellence and impactful research, including publications in top-tier conferences such as NeurIPS, ICML, or ICLR.
• Passionate about applying AI and ML research to solve complex real-world challenges.

Who we are

Optiver is a global market maker founded in Amsterdam, with offices in London, Chicago, Austin, New York, Sydney, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Singapore, Taipei and Mumbai. Established in 1986, today we are a leading liquidity provider, with close to 2,000 employees in offices around the world, united in our commitment to improve the market through competitive pricing, execution and risk management. By providing liquidity on multiple exchanges across the world in various financial instruments we participate in the safeguarding of healthy and efficient markets. We provide liquidity to financial markets using our own capital, at our own risk, trading a wide range of products: listed derivatives, cash equities, ETFs, bonds and foreign currencies.

Since its establishment in 2012, our Shanghai office is a rapidly growing participant in the Chinese markets, trading exchange-listed futures, options and equities in China mainland. Our vision is to become the trusted partner in the development of Chinese financial markets. With the culture of a start-up but the backing of a 35+ year-old trading firm, the Optiver Shanghai office is truly unique. Everyone who joins us will help shape the future of our company and its global impact. Get ready: we are only just beginning.

HOW TO APPLY

If you’re ready to take the next step in your academic journey and contribute to one of the most exciting technology-driven trading firms in mainland China, we’d love to hear from you. Applications close on 12 PM, February 27th, 2026.

In your application, please submit the following materials in English:

• Resume
• Cover letter (optional)

For any other inquiries, contact us at [email protected]

Diversity statement

Optiver is committed to diversity and inclusion. We encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds, and welcome requests for reasonable adjustments during the process.

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Personal information protection is of utmost importance to Optiver. Before you provide any personal information to us, we strongly urge you to read our Privacy Policy to acknowledge how we collect and process your personal information.