Applied Cryptography Researcher - Innovation R&D

Who are we?

IOG, is a technology company focused on Blockchain research and development. We are renowned for our scientific approach to blockchain development, emphasizing peer-reviewed research and formal methods to ensure security, scalability, and sustainability. Our projects include decentralized finance (DeFi), governance, and identity management, aiming to advance the capabilities and adoption of blockchain technology globally.

What the role involves:

As an Applied Cryptography Researcher, you must be a cryptographer with a strong understanding of practical aspects of using cryptography in real world settings. You have the exciting challenge of working on bleeding-edge research and technology, always with a focus on the market's needs. You will work side by side with architects and engineers implementing novel cryptographic primitives that you may have also designed yourself. The scope is everything from Post-Quantum prototypes to hand-optimisation of existing primitives to completely new systems. To support you on this challenge, we have cryptography researchers, software architects, product managers, project managers, formal methods specialists and QA test engineers, with whom you will have high bandwidth communications.

You must possess a pragmatic mindset for building great systems, knowing how to balance features, compromise, technical debt and effort, in order to get products shipped whilst their market impact is high.

• Extract requirements from product and engineering regarding cryptographic primitives. 
• Lead and contribute to novel cryptographic research meeting such requirements. 
• Support  prototyping of cryptographic systems.
• Translate research into rigorous engineering specifications & implementations.
• Meticulously review cryptographic protocols and proposed primitives.
• Write research papers for submission to top cryptologic conferences and journals.
• Contribute to peer-reviewed publications.
• Participate in weekly research meetings.

Requirements

Who you are:

• PhD in Computer Science/Engineering or Applied Mathematics.
• A minimum of 4-5 years development experience in the field
• Experience working with Git and version control
• Expert knowledge of applied cryptography & best practices
• Expert knowledge of  ZK protocols, such as PlonK and IPA commitment scheme
• Expert knowledge of elliptic curve cryptography
• Expert knowledge of post quantum security techniques
• Familiarity with blockchain  cryptography and constructions
• Practical experience with implementation of cryptographic primitives
• Expert in terms of cryptographic design 
• Good understanding of implementation and engineering constraints.
• Security sensibility related to cryptographic implementation
• Excellent theoretical cryptography and mathematical knowledge
• Ability to read cryptographic papers, explain them, and manage delivery of their implementation

Are you an IOGer?

Do you find yourself questioning the status quo? Do you tinker with ideas and long to turn those ideas into solutions? Are you able to spark thoughtful debates, bringing out the inquisitiveness in others? Does the promise of continuously growing excite you? Then get ready to reimagine everything you thought wasn’t possible because that’s what it means to be an IOGer - we don’t set limits, we break them. 

Benefits

• Remote work
• Laptop reimbursement
• New starter package to buy hardware essentials (headphones, monitor, etc)
• Learning & Development opportunities
• Competitive PTO 

At IOG, we value diversity and always treat all employees and job applicants based on merit, qualifications, competence, and talent. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.