--- title: 'AI Researcher (UAE) at Vatic Labs' canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/ai-researcher-uae-vatic-labs-abu-dhabi-rb2vnqhb23h5' type: 'job' last_seen: '2026-09-14' --- # AI Researcher (UAE) at Vatic Labs - **Company:** Vatic Labs - **Location:** Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - **Posted:** 2025-09-09 - **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-14 - **Apply:** https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/vaticlabs/jobs/7235730 ## Job description As an AI Researcher at Vatic Labs in Abu Dhabi, you will research and develop innovative AI-driven quantitative trading strategies. You will explore vast amounts of market and alternative data, inventing and applying a new generation of state-of-the-art technologies that are inspired by large language models, deep neural networks, transformers, and advanced prompt engineering methods to discover and capitalize on trading opportunities. The nature of the problems we work on is challenging, hence we hire some of the world's top AI talent to develop novel AI methods and trading strategies. Our team of talented researchers and technologists has been recognized as leaders in their field. Our distinguished researchers have been widely cited for their publications in top-tier, peer-reviewed scientific journals. We are passionate about hiring the best and the brightest, empowering them with the tools and mentorship needed to be successful. Our environment is highly collaborative and open, sharing AI and trading expertise across team members and fostering innovation and growth. If you possess all or most of the following, we would love to explore what is available for you with our team: - Earned or will earn a Master’s or Ph.D. in a quantitative field, such as Computer Science, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Applied Math, Statistics, Quantitative Finance, Cognitive Science, Physics or another field of science. - Experience analyzing large data sets with rigorous statistical and ML/AI approaches, including classification, clustering, regression (linear and nonlinear), optimization, signal processing, filtering and smoothing, time-series analysis, hidden Markov models, high-dimensional data analysis, vector quantization, decision tree methods, EM methods, Bayesian methods, variational inference methods, and neural networks. - Demonstration of deep knowledge of large language models and deep neural networks for practical applications (e.g. NLP, vision, speech, signal processing, scientific computing, finance, etc). Finance applications preferred but not necessary. - Ability to generate impactful research in academic or professional pursuits. - Advanced understanding and experience of practical programming languages and software tools for data analysis and ML/AI applications, such as Python, C++, PyTorch, Tensorflow, etc. - Interest and enthusiasm for learning about financial markets (previous experience not required). At Vatic, we’re serious about our work—but we also believe in balance, growth, and having fun along the way. Here’s what you can expect: - Flat structure with direct executive exposure – Work closely with leadership and make an impact from day one. - Comprehensive health benefits – Full health insurance coverage for employees and dependents. - Daily meals provided – Enjoy free lunch at the office. ## About Vatic Labs ## Company Overview - **One-liner**: Vatic Labs is a quantitative trading firm and global liquidity provider that builds autonomous, AI-driven trading agents to enhance market efficiency and transparency. - **Entity Type**: Private (Self-funded / Bootstrapped – no disclosed venture funding) - **Headquarters**: New York, New York, United States (also offices in San Francisco, CA and the UAE) - **Founded**: 2013 - **Founders**: James Chiu ## Core Business - **Primary industry**: Financial Services / Quantitative Trading / Artificial Intelligence - **Target customers**: Global financial markets, exchanges, and institutional counterparties (B2B / Institutional) - **Mission or purpose statement**: To build autonomous trading agents and cutting-edge technology that boost market efficiency and transparency. ## Products & Services - **Autonomous Trading Agents**: AI-driven software agents that execute trades autonomously across global markets. - **Market Efficiency Systems**: Technology platforms designed to improve market transparency and reduce inefficiencies. - **Quantitative Trading Strategies**: Data-driven strategies leveraging machine learning and quantitative analysis for market making and liquidity provision. - **Global Liquidity Provision**: Provides liquidity to financial markets, using advanced research and proprietary technology. ## Market Standing - **Valuation/Market Cap**: Not publicly available (private, bootstrapped) - **Key Metric**: 31 employees (as of mid-2026, +30% YoY growth); 17 active job postings - **Notable Investors/Partners**: No external investors disclosed. Notable hires include Li Deng (Chief AI Officer, former Microsoft AI leader), Todd Hohman (President), and talent sourced from Jump Trading, Citadel Securities, Bloomberg, Hudson River Trading, Google, and Microsoft. - **Growth Signals**: Headcount grew 30% year-over-year; active hiring (17 open roles); expanded into UAE operations; high-profile appointments (President, Chief AI Officer); LinkedIn follower growth of 24% annually; active recruiting at NeurIPS and university events. ## Competitive Advantages - **Talent density**: Team includes PhDs from leading universities and veterans from top quant funds (Jump Trading, Citadel Securities, Hudson River Trading). - **AI-first approach**: Deep investment in AI research, led by former Microsoft AI leader Li Deng, positioning the firm at the intersection of AI and quantitative finance. - **Autonomy & speed**: A private, bootstrapped structure allows for rapid decision-making and long-term R&D without external pressure. - **Low-latency engineering expertise**: Dedicated teams for low-latency C++ and systems engineering, critical for high-frequency trading. ## Strategic Focus - **AI Research & Generative AI**: Continued investment in generative AI and machine learning for quantitative finance (e.g., speaking at Google on GenAI in capital markets). - **Global expansion**: Growing presence in the UAE and maintaining a strong NYC/SF footprint. - **Talent acquisition**: Aggressively hiring across AI research, quantitative development, systems engineering, and finance data architecture. - **University & conference engagement**: Active recruiting at NeurIPS, Stanford, MIT, and quantitative finance intern mixers. ## Why Work Here - **Culture**: Collaborative, high-performance environment described as “extremely smart, passionate, and driven” with a focus on continuous learning and achievement. - **Compensation**: Competitive salaries (e.g., Quant Researcher ~$195k annual); performance bonuses; comprehensive benefits including health insurance, dental, FSA, parental leave, and free snacks/drinks. - **Work policy**: In-office (NYC, San Francisco, UAE) – employees work from physical offices. - **Career development**: Customized development tracks, job training, conference attendance, and promotion policies. - **Employee ratings**: 4.5/5 on employer review platforms (11 reviews) with high marks for career growth (4.5), compensation (4.4), and culture (4.4). - **Team composition**: Small, elite team of ~31 people with a flat structure, offering significant ownership and impact. ## Sources 1. [vaticlabs.ai](https://www.vaticlabs.ai/) 2. [vaticlabs.ai/careers](https://www.vaticlabs.ai/careers/) 3. [builtinnyc.com](https://www.builtinnyc.com/company/vatic-labs) 4. [crunchbase.com](https://www.crunchbase.com/organization/vatic-labs) 5. [linkedin.com](https://uk.linkedin.com/company/vaticlabs) ## Other roles at Vatic Labs - [Low Latency C++ Engineer (UAE)](https://feeny.ai/job/low-latency-c-engineer-uae-vatic-labs-abu-dhabi-drg1nm04pvm2) — Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - [Systems Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/systems-engineer-vatic-labs-new-york-wkwza9gd1k6k) — New York, NY - [AI Engineer (UAE)](https://feeny.ai/job/ai-engineer-uae-vatic-labs-abu-dhabi-5qr7x0vh1rty) — Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - [Quantitative Developer](https://feeny.ai/job/quantitative-developer-vatic-labs-new-york-gcsft5jap4bp) — New York, NY - [AI Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/ai-engineer-vatic-labs-new-york-b5gzek4g0drh) — New York, NY - [AI Researcher](https://feeny.ai/job/ai-researcher-vatic-labs-new-york-p0jc0dnvn60d) — New York, NY - [Low Latency C++ Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/low-latency-c-engineer-vatic-labs-new-york-rhv71g96gwnr) — New York, NY