Back
Program

FutureFocus: Trading, Research, Tech

FutureFocus: Trading, Research, Tech

Date: September 29, 2025 - October 3, 2025

Location: Sydney

Applications are closed

Whether you’re just starting to explore your career options or already intrigued in the financial markets, this is your chance to gain a competitive edge and take the first step towards a rewarding career with one of the world’s leading trading firms.


Ready to kickstart your career in one of the world’s leading tech-driven trading firms?

Join our FutureFocus program in Sydney to ignite your potential as a future trader, researcher or software developer.

Guided by our renowned in-house education team of former traders and engineers, you’ll dive into the intricacies of market making through a mix of practical and classroom learning. This immersive experience will deepen your understanding of the industry and provide you with an unique inside lens into Optiver’s cutting-edge trading systems.

Beyond the average insights program, this is your chance to elevate your skills, collaborate on real-world challenges, and demonstrate your potential in a tech-driven quantitative trading firm. Plus, if you’ve excelled during the program, you could secure a direct offer to return as an intern.

As part of the five-day program, you’ll experience Optiver’s incredible culture and benefits (such as daily breakfast, lunch and coffee), as well as have the opportunity to:

  • Kickstart your career in trading, research or tech: Learn the fundamentals of trading theory and discover how to build trading strategies for deployment in a virtual market.
  • Gain hands-on experience: Immerse in Optiver’s dynamic trading floor and see the firm’s cutting-edge systems in action to understand how Optiver remains at the forefront of the global financial markets.
  • Learn from industry experts: Receive mentorship and support from Optiver’s in-house education team and senior traders or software developers, who are committed to ensuring you have the guidance and support needed to succeed.
  • Build valuable connections: Connect with recent graduates as well as your cohort of future traders, researchers and software developers.

From key learnings to tips for future participants, Steph details her experience and explains how the program has transformed her perception of the trading industry, reinforcing her decision to kickstart her tech career at Optiver.

Watch this video to hear first-hand experiences from previous students, discover insights into what makes Optiver a unique place to work, as well as gain tips on what to consider when applying for FutureFocus.

Program
Recruitment events

Other programs

  • Open
    Program

    FutureFocus: Tech, Quants

    Applications are open
    Optiver’s five-day program lets you explore quant trading, research, and tech pathways, enhance your skills, and build industry connections. If you excel in the program, you could secure an internship offer for summer 2027.

    Learn more
    Chicago
  • Closed
    Program

    FutureFocus: Quants

    Applications are closed.
    Optiver’s five-day program lets you explore quant trading and research pathways, enhance your skills, and build industry connections. If you prove to be a good fit, you could secure an internship offer.

    Learn more
    Amsterdam, EMEA
  • Open
    Program

    Career Kickstarter: Tech, Trading, Research

    Applications are open: Sydney
    Career Kickstarter is a five-day program that gives you real-world trading experience, mentorship, and upskilling workshops. Prove to be a good fit and you may receive an offer for a full-time graduate role at Optiver.

    Learn more
    Australia, New Zealand
  • Closed
    Program

    Career Kickstarter: Women in Tech

    Applications are closed: Europe and UK
    Kickstart your engineering career with this five-day, all-expenses-paid program. Gain hands-on experience, career insights, and connections that could lead to an internship or full-time offer.

    Learn more
    Amsterdam, EMEA
  • Open
    Program

    Career Kickstarter: Tech, Trading

    Applications are open: Europe and UK
    This five-day, all-expenses-paid program gives you real-world trading experience, mentorship, and upskilling workshops. Prove to be a good fit, and you may receive an offer for a full-time graduate role.

    Learn more
    Amsterdam, EMEA
  • Closed
    Program

    FutureFocus: Trading, Research, Tech

    FutureFocus is an immersive five-day program for pre-penultimate students in Australia and New Zealand designed to help students ignite their potential as a future trader, researcher or software developer.

    Learn more