HEAD OF RESEARCH

Dfns is the leading Wallets-as-a-Service (WaaS) platform that helps fintechs, institutions, and enterprises worldwide simplify digital asset management and securely bring users into crypto. Our API-first approach has made Dfns the most popular developer platform to configure, automate and orchestrate digital asset applications and operations at scale. Powered by advanced security and cryptography, Dfns serves as the reliable multichain wallet backend for top players in banking, payments, trading, lending, tokenization and other financial services.

Trusted by clients like ABN AMRO, Fidelity, Standard Chartered, Stripe, and more than 100 fintechs, Dfns has created over 10 million wallets and secures $1 billion in monthly transactions with a perfect record: no hacks, no lost keys. Incubated by Techstars and Station F, Dfns has raised $28M from investors like Further Ventures, White Star Capital, Motive Partners, Bpifrance, Susquehanna, Coinbase, Semantic, Wintermute, Figment, Motier, Hashed, 6MV, and others.

Job Description

Join an exceptional team of leaders (CEO, CTO, CISO) and experts (Software, Cryptography, and Security Engineers) to build the leading blockchain wallet infrastructure for the next financial era. We are hiring a Head of Research to lead efforts into areas such as algorithms, asymmetric cryptography, threshold cryptography, multi-party computation, post-quantum cryptography, and advanced signatures. As Head of Research and Lead Cryptographer, you are expected to drive the research, development and implementation of novel cryptographic solutions, working closely with peers and leadership to define security standards and guide critical research initiatives. Your goal is to create secure innovations that expand the possibilities of blockchain applications while contributing to academia and state-of-the-art research.

More information on Dfns Labs: dfns.co/labs

Responsibilities

Preferred Experience

• Design and build cryptographic tools for blockchain components, such as keys, wallets, proofs, and digital signatures.
• Develop new cryptographic methods to improve product security.
• Collaborate with engineers to integrate cryptography into libraries and applications.
• Identify security gaps and design robust systems to minimize risks.
• Review security protocols, report threats, and propose solutions.
• Ensure cryptographic protocols are secure and reliable across all products.
• Conduct security audits and analyze vulnerabilities in cryptographic protocols and implementations; write security proofs.
• Develop new MPC protocols with ZKP to enhance transaction privacy.
• Work on end-to-end data integrity of our platform, including tools for validating data authenticity and consistency.
• Create and deploy threshold encryption and decryption protocols.
• Achieve FIPS 140-3 certification for an MPC library to meet security standards.
• Use formal methods to validate the security and correctness of TSS.
• Investigate a blockchain-based KMS for decentralized, tamper-proof key management.
• Research and prototype quantum-resistant MPC and TSS.
• Manage communication with researchers and address reported vulnerabilities.
• Share cryptographic research through academic papers, blog posts, and conferences.
• Write and maintain documentation for both internal and external use.
• Train teams on cryptography and secure system design.
• Stay updated on advances in cryptography and blockchain technology.

Requirements

• PhD in Computer Science, Cryptography, or similar fields.
• 6+ years of experience in applied cryptography, ideally in blockchain or fintech.
• Experience publishing in peer-reviewed conferences and journals.
• Hands-on expertise with cryptographic protocols.
• Familiarity with multi-party computation, threshold cryptography, zero-knowledge proofs, elliptic curve cryptography, and advanced signature schemes.
• Experience with key management and secure storage solutions.
• Understanding of authentication methods and standards (e.g., OAuth, WebAuthn).
• Deep knowledge of blockchain technology and its underlying components.
• Familiarity with cybersecurity best practices and compliance.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills for engaging technical and non-technical audiences.
• Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to advocate for ideas.
• Entrepreneurial mindset with a professional approach.
• Ability to challenge and reason with other engineers.
• Proficiency in Rust, C++, or Haskell.
• Having knowledge of the crypto custody industry is a plus.

Recruitment Process

Process

• Intro call with Co-CEO (30 min).
• Personality and cognitive tests (30 min)
• Focus interview with hiring panel (120 min).
• Reference calls and background checks.

Terms

• Title: Head of Research
• Salary: $160,000-240,000 per year (full-time work contract).
• Equity: 900-1,200 stock options (i.e., 0.3-0.4%) vested over 4 years.
• Location: Eastern US or EU (fully remote with optional access to office)
• Equipment: MacBook Pro and other work essentials.

Additional Information

• Contract Type: Full-Time
• Location: Paris, New York
• Experience: > 7 years
• Possible full remote
• Salary: between 160000$ and 240000$ / year