Key Takeaways
- • Jump Trading, a high-frequency trading giant, is establishing a new quantitative research team in Hong Kong focused on equity statistical arbitrage strategies using large language model (LLM) technology.
- • Zoey Zhao, a former Citadel Securities portfolio manager with 7.5 years of experience in equity statistical arbitrage quant research, has joined Jump Trading as PM and trading team lead to lead the initiative.
- • The Hong Kong-based team will develop low and mid-frequency trading strategies and is actively recruiting quants with STEM backgrounds, proficiency in C++ and Python, and expertise in machine learning and LLM engineering.
- • Jump Trading's expansion reflects broader industry adoption of artificial intelligence and large language models in quantitative finance, positioning the firm to leverage advanced AI capabilities in systematic trading strategies.
Summary
Jump Trading, a prominent high-frequency trading firm, is establishing a dedicated artificial intelligence-focused quantitative research team in Hong Kong, marking the firm's latest move to capitalize on large language model technology in systematic trading. The initiative reflects intensifying competition among trading firms to integrate machine learning and LLM capabilities into core business operations.
The team is being led by Zoey Zhao, who recently joined Jump Trading as a portfolio manager and trading team lead. Zhao spent seven and a half years at Citadel Securities' Chicago office, where she joined as a PhD statistics graduate and specialized in equity statistical arbitrage quant research. Her transition to Jump Trading underscores the competitive talent acquisition dynamics within quantitative trading, as established firms recruit experienced personnel from leading competitors to accelerate AI-driven product development.
The Hong Kong team will focus on equity statistical arbitrage strategies at low and mid-frequency levels. According to a job listing on Jump Trading's site, the team "will be comprised with top talent across the fields of Quantitative Research, ML/LLM & Engineering." The firm is recruiting quant researchers with STEM backgrounds and demonstrated proficiency in C++ and Python programming. Beyond the advertised quant researcher position, Jump Trading is also hiring interns for the team, suggesting plans to build substantial organizational capacity in Hong Kong.
This expansion highlights the growing emphasis on AI-driven trading strategies across the financial services industry. By establishing this team under an experienced leader from Citadel Securities—itself a sophisticated technology-driven trading firm—Jump Trading signals serious commitment to developing competitive advantages through advanced machine learning applications in quantitative research and execution.
The team is being led by Zoey Zhao, who recently joined Jump Trading as a portfolio manager and trading team lead. Zhao spent seven and a half years at Citadel Securities' Chicago office, where she joined as a PhD statistics graduate and specialized in equity statistical arbitrage quant research. Her transition to Jump Trading underscores the competitive talent acquisition dynamics within quantitative trading, as established firms recruit experienced personnel from leading competitors to accelerate AI-driven product development.
The Hong Kong team will focus on equity statistical arbitrage strategies at low and mid-frequency levels. According to a job listing on Jump Trading's site, the team "will be comprised with top talent across the fields of Quantitative Research, ML/LLM & Engineering." The firm is recruiting quant researchers with STEM backgrounds and demonstrated proficiency in C++ and Python programming. Beyond the advertised quant researcher position, Jump Trading is also hiring interns for the team, suggesting plans to build substantial organizational capacity in Hong Kong.
This expansion highlights the growing emphasis on AI-driven trading strategies across the financial services industry. By establishing this team under an experienced leader from Citadel Securities—itself a sophisticated technology-driven trading firm—Jump Trading signals serious commitment to developing competitive advantages through advanced machine learning applications in quantitative research and execution.
Go deeper than the headline
Research every firm in this story, track the ones that matter and get the daily briefing — free for 7 days.