Position Title
Head of Quantitative Research

Location
Edmonton, Alberta preferred. Willing to consider other locations.

Position Summary:

Are you passionate about the financial markets, how they function and evolve, and where outsized investment returns are generated? Do you want to accelerate that research through Artificial Intelligence(AI)/Machine Learning (ML) technologies? Do you want to see your research and ideas applied in real-world scenarios?

The AlphaLayer team at AltaML is looking for a highly motivated Head of Quantitative Research to provide financial domain expertise, conduct and publish research, and support the development of alpha generation and risk management technologies. We are focused on building AI/ML solutions within the investment management space, including both front and back-office operations.

So, if you have a passion and extensive knowledge of the financial markets, this is the rare opportunity to join a team on a mission to lead innovation and value-creation within the investment management industry.

About our Company:

Our work through AlphaLayer is specifically focused on deepening a strong partnership with AIMCo - one of Canada’s largest and most diversified institutional investment managers - we are helping our partner gain a competitive advantage by combining their data and domain expertise with our expertise in ML. We are focused on building ML solutions within the investment management space including both front and back-office operations.

AltaML is a fast-growing startup that focuses on applied Machine Learning (ML). We see AI as the next step forward in unlocking the best in all industries - and people. We are experts in ML commercialization and help our industrial partners gain a competitive advantage by combining their data and domain expertise with our analytics and ML proficiency. Data informs our every move, and we aim to work quickly, collaboratively, and creatively. We have offices in Edmonton, Calgary and Toronto.

AltaML works with progressive partners in industries such as Health, Financial Services and Natural Resources. Sure, we are a tech company, so we offer a well-stocked kitchen including good coffee, sparkling water, and snacks. We are an office filled with foodies and enjoy experiencing different flavours from around the world. We also offer Welcome Lunches, Friday Socials, hot sauce tastings and so much more!

Data informs our every move, and we aim to work quickly, collaboratively, and creatively.

Job Role

As Head of Quantitative Research, you play a crucial role in leading the contribution and development of financial expertise on the AlphaLayer team. Your primary responsibility will be to ensure that financial research and theory underpin all of the core work that is being done by the team and the solutions being developed. During the process, you will participate in the entire development lifecycle, from concept to release. Additionally, you will also participate and lead brainstorming sessions to solve the challenging financial problems that come up in various stages of the development of applied alpha and risk management solutions. You will also be mentoring various members of the team and ensuring that they acquire the right skills in financial markets.

What you’ll do:

• Work with the team to develop quantitative models combining financial and economic theories, AI/ML techniques with empirical analysis and statistical testing.

• Help deliver high-quality research and solutions to evolving investment problems faced by investment firms.

• Drive the strategic development of alpha generation and risk management solutions at scale.

• Provide support on the work direction and review the work of the data science team.

• Work with external stakeholders to ensure value creation of developed solutions.

• Develop and publish innovative research for internal and external stakeholders.

• Identify and pitch new opportunities for the application of AI/ML in Finance and Investment Management.

• Provide financial mentorship to the team.

What you bring:

• 3-5 years experience working with quantitative investment strategies

• B.Comm or Masters/PhD degree in a quantitative field: Finance, Mathematics, Computer Science, Physics, Engineering or equivalent

• Strong communication abilities to explain and convey messages to the business about complex/technical issues

• A significant level of mathematical and statistical knowledge and a passion for applying quantitative analysis to financial research

• Strong research skills, preference for research applied to large financial data sets.

• Interest and knowledge in AI/ML

• Bonus: exposure to trading at an institutional level

• Bonus: experience with Python

Who we are looking for:

Our core values speak volumes about who we are and how we work:

• Humble – Listen to the data

• Happy – Tap-dance to work

• Gritty – Be persistent, not complacent

• Agile – Make small bets, then iterate

Our current and future employees:

• express our core values

• are hungry for knowledge

• want to learn new skills

• are respectful

• collaborate with others across the whole company

• share knowledge with coworkers

• educate and promote AI and ML concepts both internally and externally

• have a high work ethic and are self-motivated

What we have to offer you:

You will be able to experience a collaborative company culture. We nurture an environment that combines the nimbleness and can-do attitude of a successful start-up, but with the scale of a large investment management firm.

Your work will be applied to real-world problems and will have a high impact on our clients and Alberta’s economy. You will be working with extremely talented and passionate people who bring multiple years of industrial and academic experience in data science, software engineering, and machine learning fields. To solve the problems we apply various ML techniques from traditional Machine Learning and Data Mining algorithms, through to vision, Deep Learning, Information Extraction, advanced NLP and conversational agents.

We also have fun. We believe in working hard, getting the job done and enjoying the group social on Fridays. You’ll also get flexibility in where you work, what hours you work, how much vacation you take, and what you wear. We expect hard work but respect work/life balance.

Confidence can sometimes hold us back from applying for a job.  We’ll let you in on a secret - there is no such thing as a perfect candidate.  AltaML is working with new technologies, and no one is standing still when it comes to learning.  As long as you are continuing to push your growth and development, then consider applying even if you don’t check all the boxes on our posting.  

So, however you identify and whatever background and experiences you bring, please apply if this is a role that would make you “tap dance to work” every day.  We would love to add your biological uniqueness to our own! :-)

Note:

You will be required to undergo the following checks during the hiring process:

• Background

• Education

• Criminal

• Credit

• References

How to apply:

https://alphalayer.bamboohr.com/jobs/view.php?id=94

Director Data Science
U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission
Washington, DC

(posted 07/13/2020)

Job Description
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission in Washington, DC is seeking a Financial Economist to serve as the Associate Director for the Division of Economic and Risk Analysis’ (DERA) newly established Office of Data Science and Innovation (OSDI). This Senior Officer position directs and oversees mission related activities focused on data ingestion, structure, cutting-edge analytics, modeling, and financial data use across the agency.

The incumbent serves as DERA’s primary leader collaborating with the Commission’s Chief Data Officer, Chief Information Officer, other Commission executives in developing a framework of policies and programs necessary to support the SEC’s vast data needs.

Job Description
• Brokering efforts across the enterprise to ensure structured data is incorporated and made available for Commission use.
• Building partnerships and collaboration opportunities to address and deliver high quality data analytical tools and services.
• Developing a unified vision of data ingestion, analysis, and use.
• Overseeing the development of sophisticated artificial intelligence and machine learning tools and technologies to enhance program data quality and information.
• Strong, collaborative leader who can capture and synthesize complex data and analytical requirements in order to meet agency needs.
• Collaborating with the Chief Information Officer (CIO) and Chief Data Officer (CDO) to ensure data and analytics are integrated and supported across the Commission.
• Addressing the growing demand for expertise in technologies related to structuring data and developing applications and tools to enhance analytics and information sharing.

This vacancy announcement is for a senior level Financial Economist position, which is permanent, full-time position open to the following candidates:

1. U.S. citizens;
2. Applicants with federal status (i.e., current permanent federal employees in the competitive service or former federal employees with reinstatement eligibility); and/or
3. Individuals eligible for appointment under special hiring authorities.

Please Note: DERA is seeking candidates across two different vacancy announcements. Candidates should submit separate applications for each position they want to be considered for.

- If you wish to apply for the Financial Economist position please submit an application here https://go.usa.gov/xf25e.


- If you wish to apply for the Management and Program Analyst position, please submit an application here https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/572746700.



Qualifications
APPLICATION PROCEDURES, TERMS, COMPENSATION, AND BENEFITS:

Note: Closing date for this announcement is 7/27/2020.

1. You must submit a complete application package through USAJobs via https://go.usa.gov/xf25e . To receive consideration for this position you must submit or complete the following requirements by the closing date of this announcement: your resume (curriculum vitae), complete undergraduate and graduate college transcripts, responses to the online applicant questionnaire, list of four references, and an original job market paper or sample of written in-depth economic analysis that demonstrates your expertise as related to the experience DERA is seeking. If you are claiming veterans preference you must submit your Certificate of Release of Discharge From Active Duty, DD-214, or other official documentation from a Branch of the Armed Forces or the Department of Veteran’s Affairs showing dates of service and type of discharge.

2. All qualification requirements and supporting documentation must be received by the closing date of this announcement.

3. Selectees are compensated based on their qualifications and experience on the Commission’s pay scale.

4. To see a full list of SEC specific benefits, please go to this link: https://www.sec.gov/ohr/overview-of-sec-benefits-link.html

5. For additional information about DERA, please visit: http://www.sec.gov/dera

7. Please visit the USAJobs Help Center for assistance with the federal application process.


Other Information
Compensation: $190,564 to $259,981 annually

Organization Description
The mission of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission is to protect investors; maintain fair, orderly, and efficient markets; and facilitate capital formation. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission strives to promote a market environment that is worthy of the public’s trust and characterized by transparency and integrity.

How to Apply
Note: Closing date for this announcement is 7/27/2020.

1. You must submit a complete application package through USAJobs via https://go.usa.gov/xf25e .

Last Day to Apply
July 27, 2020