Job Description

Onyx Alpha Partners has been commissioned by an elite proprietary trading organization to lead a fundamental transformation of its alpha generation framework. While many industry players discuss Artificial Intelligence, our client is actively deploying it, transitioning from traditional linear regression and static weighting models to a sophisticated, non-linear infrastructure. This role is a “Mandate of the Decade” to re-architect the firm’s core signal generation stack using Deep Learning and Transformer-based methodologies.

As the Research Principal, you will not simply manage a portfolio; you will lead the “Lab”—a specialized unit with the authority to dismantle legacy linear combination layers. Your primary objective is to operationalize Large Language Models (LLMs) and Attention-based architectures for live market signals. You will turn vast oceans of unstructured data, including public filings, global news, and real-time sentiment, into horizon-aware alpha across a universal asset mix including Equities, Futures, VIX/Volatility, and Digital Assets.

Key Role Responsibilities

Dynamic Signal Integration: Architect and deploy Transformer-based frameworks to replace legacy linear weighting, specifically accounting for market regime shifts and tail-risk outliers.
LLM Signal Extraction: Build and manage sophisticated LLM engines to process unstructured data feeds, extracting predictive features from news, sentiment, and regulatory filings.
Short-Term Prediction: Develop and implement intraday Gradient-Boosted Decision Tree (GBDT) engines that re-train in real-time to capture fleeting price dislocations.
Algorithmic Execution: Optimize trade execution for high-complexity products like VIX futures using nearest-neighbor (k-NN) and advanced cost-mitigation algorithms.
Leadership & Growth: Mentor and scale a high-performance team of 5–10 PhD-level researchers, balancing exploratory “blue sky” research with the rigor of live P&L.
Cross-Asset Application: Ensure the universality of the research stack across Equities, Volatility, and the Digital Asset ecosystem.

The Ideal Profile

The Modernist: Demonstrated track record of deploying LLMs, Transformers, or GBDTs into live production environments; we seek “core alpha sources” rather than theoretical researchers.
The Leader: Experience managing a research unit of 5+ people, with the ability to maintain research quality under live trading pressure.
Asset Expertise: Significant experience in Volatility (VIX) or Crypto is highly desirable to prove competence in high-beta, non-normal distributions.
Attribution History: Tangible evidence of improving prediction error or achieving superior Sharpe ratios (eg, >2) in new asset classes.

Job Data Table

Category	Details
Company Name	Onyx Alpha Partners (on behalf of an Elite Prop Firm)
Location	London, United Kingdom (On-site)
Locality	City of London / Mayfair
Country	United Kingdom
City	London
Region	London
Job Type	Full-time
Salaries	£285,000 – £400,000 + Profit Share + Equity Potential
Experience Level	Principal / Research Head
Travel	Minimal
Language	English
Benefits	Partnership potential, Alpha Pool profit share, Sign-on bonus

Skills & Competency Table

Key Skill	Level
LLM & Transformer Architectures	Expert
Gradient-Boosted Decision Trees (GBDT)	Expert
Signal Extraction (Unstructured Data)	Expert
VIX & Volatility Modeling	Advanced
Execution Optimization (k-NN)	Advanced
Team Leadership (PhD Mentorship)	Expert

Salaries Pay Calculator Table

Annual Salary (Base)	Bonus (Alpha Pool Share)	Total Compensation	Notes
£285,000	£200,000+	£485,000+	Entry-level for Principal with leadership bonus.
£350,000	£350,000+	£700,000+	Standard for established Heads of ML Research.
£400,000	£600,000+	£1,000,000+	Upper-tier for Partnership-level candidates.

Job Summary

This Principal-level role in London involves re-architecting a proprietary firm’s alpha generation using Transformers and LLMs. You will lead a team of 10 PhDs to replace linear models with non-linear signal engines across cross-asset classes (VIX, Crypto, Equities). Requires a proven track record of deploying DL models in production.

5 FAQs

Is this a remote role? No, the position is strictly on-site in London to facilitate high-bandwidth collaboration within the “Lab.”
What is the “Alpha Pool” bonus? It is a direct profit-share scheme based on the P&L generated by the specific frameworks your team builds.
Which assets will I focus on? The seat is cross-asset, covering Equities, Futures, Volatility (VIX), and Digital Assets.
Is there a path to partnership? Yes, for high-performing candidates, there is a clear pathway to equity and partnership within the firm.
How large is the team? You will mentor and expand an existing team of 5-10 PhD-level quantitative researchers.

Expert Analysis

In 2026, the transition from Linear Factor Models to Generative Alpha is the primary battleground for prop firms. This role is unique because it provides the “compute” and the “unstructured data handlers” as a baseline. Success here depends on solving LLM Latency for intraday signals and mastering Regime-Aware Transformers .

Location & Logistics Guide

London remains the global hub for quantitative finance. Located in either the City or Mayfair, the firm operates at the heart of the world’s most liquid markets. Connectivity via the Elizabeth Line and the Northern Line ensures seamless access for high-level professionals across the metropolitan area. Wikipedia URL:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/London

Career Path

A Principal Quantitative Researcher in this seat typically moves into a Chief Technology Officer (CTO) or Chief Investment Officer (CIO) role. Given the partnership potential, the terminal career step is often becoming a Founding Partner or launching a standalone systematic fund within the firm’s umbrella.

To apply for this job please visit uk.linkedin.com.