Quantitative Researcher at Drift

Job Description

Key Responsibilities

• Develop, refine, and implement Just-in-Time auction trading algorithms to maximize yield for market makers while optimizing exchange liquidity through real-time market data analysis and strategic decision-making.
• Create and maintain open-source trading bot examples that identify and exploit MEV arbitrage opportunities across decentralized exchanges, ensuring scalability and adaptability to evolving market conditions.
• Design and deploy monitoring systems to track the performance of MEV-focused strategies, including real-time reporting tools to analyze profitability, risk exposure, and execution efficiency.
• Ensure 24/7 uptime and reliability of arbitrage and liquidation bots by implementing fail-safe mechanisms, automated recovery protocols, and continuous system optimization.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to integrate new MEV strategies into existing trading frameworks, aligning them with the broader goals of the DeFi platform.
• Conduct thorough backtesting of algorithmic strategies using historical market data to validate their effectiveness before deploying them in live trading environments.
• Stay updated on emerging MEV patterns, blockchain innovations, and market trends to continuously improve and adapt trading strategies for competitive advantage.
• Document all algorithmic processes, bot configurations, and strategy outcomes to ensure transparency, reproducibility, and knowledge sharing across the team.
• Engage in research to identify novel MEV opportunities, such as frontrunning, sandwich attacks, or liquidation arbitrage, and develop strategies to capitalize on them effectively.
• Work closely with data scientists and engineers to analyze market behavior, optimize bot performance, and enhance the accuracy of oracle price feeds for better decision-making.

Job Requirements

• Advanced degree in quantitative finance, computer science, mathematics, or a related field, with a proven track record in algorithmic trading or blockchain development.
• Expertise in MEV extraction techniques, including arbitrage, liquidation, and auction-based strategies, with hands-on experience in deploying them on DeFi platforms.
• Proficiency in programming languages such as Python, Solidity, or JavaScript, along with experience in developing production-grade trading bots and automated systems.
• Strong analytical skills to evaluate market data, identify patterns, and design strategies that maximize returns while minimizing risks in volatile DeFi environments.
• Experience with blockchain protocols, smart contract interactions, and decentralized exchange mechanics to ensure seamless integration of trading strategies.
• Ability to work with complex data sets and tools for backtesting, simulation, and performance analysis, including Python libraries like Pandas, NumPy, or PyAlgoTrade.
• Excellent problem-solving abilities to troubleshoot technical challenges, optimize bot efficiency, and ensure system stability under high-frequency trading conditions.
• Knowledge of monitoring and reporting frameworks, such as Grafana, Prometheus, or custom dashboards, to track strategy performance in real time.
• Strong communication skills to collaborate with teams, present findings, and document technical processes for clarity and transparency.
• Experience in maintaining 24/7 uptime for trading systems through robust infrastructure, automated alerts, and proactive system management practices.
• Ability to adapt to rapidly changing market conditions and blockchain innovations, continuously refining strategies to stay ahead of competitors and market trends.
• Proven success in developing and deploying high-performing trading algorithms that deliver consistent returns while adhering to regulatory and security standards.