Protocol Architecture Researcher
Protocol Architecture Researcher
Posted on :
10-04-2025
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1 Vacancy
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Job Description
This is a permanently open position. While we may not always be actively hiring we continuously seek exceptional talent. If we are not actively searching the selection process is more competitive but we encourage applications from outstanding candidates at any time.
About the Robust Incentives Group (RIG)
The Ethereum Foundation (EF) is a global nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting Ethereum to ensure its longterm success. As part of this mission EF Research (EFR) is a collection of research teams including the Robust Incentives Group (RIG). At RIG we work on the protocol architecture and mechanisms through the lens of game theory mechanism design using formal methods and empirical analysis. While our research has an economic focus our work is inherently interdisciplinary drawing insights from economics computer science cryptography and distributed systems. We work and collaborate across these fields to find ways to improve Ethereum.This includes both longerterm foundational research and more immediate proposals for Ethereum mainnet upgradeswith a bias towards the latter.
Our team has contributed to major protocol upgrades such as EIP1559 the switch to ProofofStake finding and mitigating attack vectors outofprotocol markets for block construction and MEV and many other efforts. At RIG you will be at the forefront of these conversations. Alongside brilliant researchers EF collaborators and the broader Ethereum community you will take part in a dynamic research environment. You will not just be a participantyou will be in the drivers seat to push Ethereum forward.
Role Overview
We are looking for an exceptional Protocol Architecture research scientist for the Robust Incentives Group. This role is a permanently open positionwe are continually looking for the right talent.
In this role you will have high agency in defining and pursuing research that directly improves Ethereum. You will work closely with researchers Ethereum core devs industry experts and academics on topics such as fee mechanisms PoS economics market structure scaling and data of Ethereum and more. The work is inherently interdisciplinary demanding a deep sense of curiosity and the ability to think across fields such as economics distributed systems and cryptography. You should be able to synthesize theoretical insights with realworld constraints designing mechanisms that are both rigorous and practical.
Key Responsibilities
- Explore foundational and applied research questionsthrough theoretical or empirical analysisthat shape Ethereums protocol architecture such as auction mechanisms staking incentives or rational consensus.
- Conduct rigorous research and transform insights into proposals to improve Ethereum.
- Collaborate with research peers Ethereum coredevs industry experts academics and the wider Ethereum communitydiscussing findings in open forums coauthoring papers or writing EIPs.
- Communicate your findings clearly with different audiences in mind: from academic to less formal but highly technical to wider Ethereum community.
What We Look For
- High agency & autonomy: You thrive in an environment that trusts you to identify and deliver highimpact work. You take initiative own your projects and are able to navigate ambiguity. You are motivated to design new mechanisms and see them through to their deployment in the Ethereum protocol.
- Interdisciplinary mindset: You excel at the intersection of multiple disciplines and collaborate with experts across fields drawing insights from economics computer science cryptography distributed systems and other relevant areas. While you value rigorous research you are driven by its practical application and the tangible progress it brings to Ethereum.
- Clear communicator: You revel in peeling back layers and communicating your findings clearly and widely to both technical and nontechnical audienceswhether in writing discussions or presentations.
- Research excellence: You have a strong research background whether in academia or applied research. Ideally your experience includes economics distributed systems cryptography computer science mathematics or related fields. A PhD is welcome but not required if you have a track record of exploring new fields with an interdisciplinary mindset.
- Passion: You care deeply about harnessing decentralized economic systems and are passionate about solving the types of intellectual challenges Ethereum is facing. You are excited to join a group of research collaborators working in the open to advancing technology.
What We Offer
- Impact: You will join a small impactful team where you can very quickly help shape the future of Ethereum. You will work at the very frontier of blockchain technology and contribute to foundational infrastructure for economic exchange.
- High trust environment: With minimal hierarchy and a culture of autonomy you will have many degrees of freedom to define your research agenda to deliver highimpact work.
- Collaborations: Access to leading collaborators across industry and academia with the ability to award grants.
- Compensation & benefits: Competitive compensation flexible PTO and possibility to join Protocol Guild after six months subject to contributing to public participation in Ethereum core protocol research.
- Remote first: Our team is distributed across the globe and remote work from anywhere is possiblewith most synchronous time from 2pm UTC onwards. However we have offices in Berlin or Boulder and if suitable we can help to facilitate relocation.
- Travel: Highly encouraged travel with occasions throughout the year: e.g. conferences research workshops offsites. Ample opportunities to share your work with different audiences and whiteboard with your colleagues.
If this resonates with you we would be happy to hear from youeven if youre not sure how it might into your current plans. To apply submit a CV cover letter or any other material highlighting your facility with the above work. We prioritize tangible outputs such as writings papers or code repositories.
Employment Type
Contract
Key Skills
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