Launchpad - Trading and Quant Research

ABOUT THE ROLE:

Launchpad is IMC’s three-day discovery program for students graduating in 2028/29 who are curious about a career in quantitative trading or quantitative research.

Held in person at our Sydney office in October 2026, Launchpad gives you the chance to work alongside IMC traders, engineers and quant researchers as you apply maths, probability and code to real market problems.

Standout performers may be fast-tracked to receive an offer for IMC’s 2027/28 Summer Internship Program.

WHAT YOU’LL DO:

Across three days, you’ll take part in immersive learning sessions, hands-on trading simulations, technical workshops and one-on-one conversations with IMC traders and quant researchers.

The program is designed to take you from exposure to application to assessment, giving you a genuine feel for the work, the people and the pace of one of the world’s leading trading firms.

You’ll explore how quantitative thinking is used in real markets, build practical problem-solving skills, and gain insight into what a future career at IMC could look like.

WHO WE’RE LOOKING FOR

• Current student graduating in 2028 or 2029, studying at an Australian or New Zealand university

• An academic background in mathematics, statistics, applied probability, physics, actuarial science, computer science, or a related quantitative discipline

• A minimum high distinction average (or equivalent)

• Strong foundations in probability, statistics, and calculus

• Working knowledge of Python is desired but not required

• Genuine curiosity for quantitative problem-solving

You don't need prior knowledge or markets experience. Just bring a genuine interest in the field - we'll teach you the rest.

Life at IMC

IMC offers an open, collaborative, low-hierarchy environment where people are empowered to make an impact from day one. Our values guide how we work: Dare to continuously innovate. Collaborate to succeed. Champion the best ideas. Take responsibility. Keep both feet on the ground. Build for our future.

Perks & Benefits

• Three days at our spectacular Sydney office in Circular Quay

• Daily breakfast, lunch, and dinner provided by our in-house chef, plus all-day coffee from our in-house barista

• If you're based outside Sydney, flights and accommodation are covered

We celebrate all types of skills and backgrounds. If you don't feel your profile exactly matches what's listed, we still want to hear from you.

Think you have what it takes? Apply now.

Please note that we are only able to process one application per stream at a time. We therefore recommend you apply to your preferred stream first.

About Us

IMC is a global trading firm powered by a cutting-edge research environment and a world-class technology backbone. Since 1989, we’ve been a stabilizing force in financial markets, providing essential liquidity upon which market participants depend. Across our offices in the US, Europe, Asia Pacific, and India, our talented quant researchers, engineers, traders, and business operations professionals are united by our uniquely collaborative, high-performance culture, and our commitment to giving back. From entering dynamic new markets to embracing disruptive technologies, and from developing an innovative research environment to diversifying our trading strategies, we dare to continuously innovate and collaborate to succeed.