Head of Research (Blockchain)

Location: Remote (USA, Canada, EMEA)

Salary: $210,000 - $350,000

Company

A non-profit organization stewarding the development of the Stellar network to create equitable access to the global financial system through open-source blockchain technology.

What you will do

• Define and lead a long-term scientific research agenda aligned with the mission of decentralized financial inclusion.
• Foster deep collaborations with top academic labs, research institutions, and industry partners.
• Oversee a research portfolio ranging from mission-critical applications to foundational investigations in cryptography and distributed systems.
• Recruit, mentor, and develop a diverse team of research scientists and PhD interns.
• Translate research outcomes into product strategy, protocol development, and ecosystem standards.
• Represent the organization at conferences, workshops, and standards bodies to contribute to the broader discourse on decentralized systems.

Requirements

• PhD in Computer Science, Cryptography, Distributed Systems, or a related field.
• 10+ years of research experience in academia or industry.
• Strong track record of high-impact contributions, including peer-reviewed publications, patents, or foundational technical work.
• Demonstrated experience leading research programs or teams, including setting strategy and managing multi-year initiatives.

Nice to have

• Experience working in both academic and applied research settings.
• Familiarity with open-source software development and open standards communities like IETF or W3C.
• Strong communication skills for engaging technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Interest in the societal, economic, and ethical dimensions of decentralized systems.

Culture & Benefits

• Competitive health, dental, and vision coverage with most plans covered at 100%.
• 401K with 4% match and flexible time off including 15 company holidays.
• L&D budget of $1,500 per year and gym reimbursement.
• Paid parental and pregnancy leave.
• Family building benefits and wellbeing support including Headspace and One Medical.