Calcada ML Researcher Application

Calcada is a proprietary trading firm based in Zug, Switzerland, focused on the world's largest traditional financial markets. We build ultra-low-latency systems end to end: our own networks, our own execution stack, our own research pipeline. Our team includes alumni of major tech companies and winners of international informatics and technology competitions, brought together to do HFT.

ML Researcher

We are looking for an ML Researcher to join our Zug office and work on the research that drives our trading strategies in TradFi markets. You will work with tick-by-tick order book and trade data at nanosecond resolution to build sequence models that translate directly into live PnL. The role sits at the intersection of market microstructure and modern deep learning, with a short path from idea to production.

Responsibilities

• Conduct original research on short-horizon predictive signals, execution, and sizing across futures, equities, and FX.
• Design and train neural sequence models (Transformers, RNNs, state-space models, or similar) on large, noisy, high-frequency event streams.
• Backtest and evaluate models with realistic assumptions about fills, fees, and position footprint.
• Collaborate with developers and traders to take research from prototype into live strategies.

Requirements

• Degree in mathematics, physics, computer science, or another quantitative discipline (or equivalent research experience).
• Strong foundation in probability theory, mathematical statistics, and deep learning.
• Hands-on experience building neural networks for sequential or time-series data, with PyTorch or equivalent.
• Proficiency in Python and the scientific stack (pandas, NumPy, PyArrow).
• Careful reasoning about time, causality, and out-of-sample generalization.

Would be a plus

• Prior exposure to market microstructure, order book modelling, or HFT research.
• Olympiad-level achievements in mathematics or competitive programming; top Kaggle results; or relevant publications.

What we offer

• Competitive base salary and a performance-linked bonus structure.
• Direct ownership of your research -- short path from idea to live trading.
• A small, senior team with no bureaucracy and no legacy code.