The problem we're solving
Frontier AI models have made remarkable progress on general reasoning, but they still struggle with the kind of nuanced judgment that defines good banking work; reading between the lines of an MD&A, structuring around a covenant, knowing when a comp set is misleading, sensing when a model's outputs don't quite hang together. Closing that gap requires institutional finance expertise, applied directly to AI training.
About Aptura
Aptura partners with leading foundational AI labs to bring real-world finance, healthcare, and legal expertise into AI development. Our founders are ex-Lazard and Partners Group, and we operate out of London and San Francisco. We're now expanding our UK cohort and are looking for sharp investment banking associates.
The Residency
You'll work directly on improving how frontier AI handles corporate finance and gain rare, early exposure to how AI labs actually develop their models.
You will:
- Prompt: Develop realistic, deal-relevant prompts and iterate on AI outputs to test reasoning quality.
- Compare human vs. machine judgment: Systematically map where AI reasoning falls short of professional banker judgment.
- Design frameworks: Translate how bankers navigate ambiguity, structure transactions, and stress-test assumptions into problems that challenge frontier AI.
- Construct expert benchmarks: Build and validate real-world DCFs, LBOs, comps, and deal cases used to evaluate AI systems.
Why This Matters
- You'll be among the first investment bankers in the UK working directly on frontier AI in finance.
- The skills and exposure compound - buy-side, strategy, and corporate roles increasingly want people who understand how AI fits into financial workflows.
- The work is genuinely interesting, which is rare for a side engagement.
Who You Are
- 3–4 years of IB or Corporate Finance experience at a top international bank (bulge bracket, elite boutique, top-tier global advisory).
- Associate level; sector agnostic.
- Strong modelling and valuation skills (DCF, LBO, comps, precedents).
- Sharp written communication and attention to detail.
- Genuine intellectual curiosity about AI in finance.
Residency Structure
- Commitment: 30+ hours/week, flexible scheduling
- Location: Fully remote
- Compensation: Competitive hourly rate, commensurate with experience
- Start date: Immediate / Rolling
- Referral bonus: For any successful referral hired into this role