At a Glance
- Tasks: Develop innovative metals trading strategies and conduct alpha research.
- Company: Leading physical trading organisation with a collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, fast-track career growth, and exposure to unique market insights.
- Why this job: Explore diverse commodities while focusing on impactful metals strategies.
- Qualifications: 3–10+ years in systematic commodities trading, strong Python skills required.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with opportunities for increased responsibility and risk allocation.
The predicted salary is between 144000 - 192000 £ per year.
Location: London (can support relocation to Geneva)
The Mandate
This mandate is to add deep systematic expertise in Metals— base and/or precious— into a fully automated commodities trading desk at a leading physical trading organization. The team is collaborative, and runs an integrated signal library across commodities. You will drive metals-focused alpha research using fundamental and market structure insights, with the mandate to identify differentiated opportunities beyond standard CTA-style price-only approaches.
Why This Seat
- Breadth + Freedom: Unlike narrow single-market seats, you’ll be encouraged to explore adjacent commodities and cross-market effects while anchoring in Metals.
- Differentiated Inputs: Exposure to data and market insight from a physical trading ecosystem that most buy-side systematic shops cannot replicate.
- Meaningful Risk Path: Strong performers can earn increased risk allocation and responsibility faster than typical pod “research-only” tracks.
What You’ll Do
- Develop Metals Strategies: Build systematic signals rooted in metals-specific fundamentals (supply chains, inventories, flows, curve/term structure, relative value).
- Execution-Aware Research: Ensure strategies survive real trading constraints—liquidity, slippage, and transaction costs—before production release.
- Integrate & Scale: Contribute strategies into a shared library; participate in correlation review, risk sizing, and ongoing performance management.
- Raise the Bar Desk-Wide: Help improve tools, datasets, and processes that lift the entire systematic platform.
What You Bring
- Experience: 3–10+ years in systematic commodities research/trading; metals specialization strongly preferred (precious and/or base).
- Fundamental Depth: Ability to source, clean, and interpret fundamental metals datasets and translate them into systematic, testable hypotheses.
- Relevant Backgrounds: Systematic buy-side environments; researchers under PMs in multi-manager/pod setups are relevant if they’ve built real, differentiated alphas.
- Technical Stack: Strong Python required; ability to productionize research into a shared codebase.
- Operating Style: High rigor, low-ego collaboration, and comfort operating in an environment that puts the teams goals first.
Compensation & Preferences
- Start Timing: Preference for candidates able to start around June 1 (fiscal year runs June 1–May 31). Earlier is welcomed; April 1 ideal.
- Notice / Non-compete: Prefer ≤6 months; longer timelines may be workable depending on jurisdiction and scope.
- Compensation: Base typically ~CHF 180–200k (seniority dependent). Strong years can drive total comp materially higher, with meaningful upside for top contributors.
At Onyx Alpha Partners, we are committed to connecting the most sought after talent in the financial world, to opportunities that expand the universe of unconstrained performance within their chosen discipline. If this opportunity aligns with your career aspirations, we encourage you to apply and explore the potential for growth and unparalleled success.
Quantitative Trader (Systematic Commodities — Metals: Base & Precious) — Physical Trading Platform employer: Onyx Alpha Partners
Contact Detail:
Onyx Alpha Partners Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Quantitative Trader (Systematic Commodities — Metals: Base & Precious) — Physical Trading Platform
✨Network Like a Pro
Get out there and connect with people in the industry! Attend events, join online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out to current employees at companies you’re interested in. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know!
✨Show Off Your Skills
When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, make sure to highlight your technical skills, especially in Python and systematic trading. We want to see how you can bring value to the team, so share examples of your past work and any successful strategies you've developed.
✨Prepare for the Interview
Do your homework before the interview! Understand the company’s trading strategies and be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their goals. We recommend practicing common interview questions and preparing some insightful questions of your own to show your genuine interest.
✨Apply Through Our Website
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage directly with us. Let’s get you on board!
We think you need these skills to ace Quantitative Trader (Systematic Commodities — Metals: Base & Precious) — Physical Trading Platform
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to highlight your experience in systematic commodities trading, especially in metals. We want to see how your skills align with the role, so don’t be shy about showcasing relevant projects or achievements!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you’re passionate about metals trading and how your background makes you a perfect fit for our team. Keep it engaging and personal – we love to see your personality come through.
Showcase Your Technical Skills: Since strong Python skills are a must, make sure to highlight any relevant technical projects or experiences in your application. We’re looking for candidates who can not only research but also productionise their findings into a shared codebase.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Onyx Alpha Partners
✨Know Your Metals Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of both base and precious metals. Understand the supply chains, inventories, and market structures that influence prices. Being able to discuss these topics confidently will show that you're not just familiar with the theory but can apply it practically.
✨Demonstrate Your Research Skills
Prepare to showcase your ability to source, clean, and interpret fundamental metals datasets. Bring examples of past research or strategies you've developed, especially those that led to differentiated alpha. This will highlight your hands-on experience and analytical skills.
✨Be Ready for Execution-Aware Discussions
Since the role involves ensuring strategies survive real trading constraints, be prepared to discuss how you've considered liquidity, slippage, and transaction costs in your previous work. This shows that you understand the practical side of trading and can think critically about execution.
✨Emphasise Collaboration and Team Goals
The team environment is collaborative, so be ready to talk about how you've worked in teams before. Share examples of how you've contributed to shared goals and improved processes. This will demonstrate that you align with their operating style of high rigor and low ego.