Director of Research

This position is posted by Jobgether on behalf of a partner company. We are currently looking for a Director of Research in France.

We are seeking an experienced research leader to shape and drive a high-impact research agenda in a mission-driven, globally distributed environment. This role offers the opportunity to influence both applied and foundational research in areas such as distributed systems, cryptography, and mechanism design. You will lead a diverse team of researchers, foster collaboration with academic and industry partners, and ensure that research outcomes translate into practical, real-world impact. The ideal candidate thrives at the intersection of innovation, strategy, and societal impact, guiding initiatives that advance both technology and inclusive financial systems. You will contribute to building a culture of excellence, mentoring researchers at all career stages, and representing the organization in academic, technical, and policy forums.

• Define and lead a long-term research vision, identifying mission-aligned applied challenges and foundational open problems.
• Oversee and guide a diverse research team, from early-career researchers to senior domain experts, fostering a collaborative and inclusive environment.
• Build and maintain partnerships with academic institutions, research labs, and industry leaders to drive joint publications, open-source contributions, and knowledge sharing.
• Supervise a portfolio of research projects balancing immediate product impact with blue-sky exploration in cryptography, distributed systems, and incentive design.
• Translate research insights into actionable outcomes that inform product strategy, ecosystem standards, and protocol development.
• Represent the organization in conferences, workshops, and standard-setting bodies, contributing to thought leadership in decentralized systems and financial inclusion.

Requirements:

• PhD in Computer Science, Cryptography, Distributed Systems, or a related field.
• 10+ years of research experience in academia (e.g., tenured/tenure-track faculty) or industry (e.g., senior research scientist or director-level role).
• Proven record of high-impact contributions, including peer-reviewed publications, patents, or open-source projects.
• Demonstrated experience leading research programs or teams, setting strategy, and managing multi-year initiatives.
• Ability to translate deep technical insights into practical outcomes, particularly in technology-driven, mission-oriented environments.
• Strong communication skills to engage both technical and non-technical stakeholders and represent the organization publicly.
• Experience with open-source software development and open standards communities is a plus.
• Commitment to mentorship, diversity, and fostering a collaborative research culture.
• Awareness of societal, economic, and ethical considerations of decentralized systems is preferred.

Benefits:

• Competitive salary range: $210,000 – $365,000 USD, dependent on experience, skills, and location.
• Fully remote, flexible work arrangements with asynchronous scheduling.
• Health, dental, and vision coverage (with extensive employee and dependent coverage).
• Generous paid time off, including parental leave and pregnancy leave.
• Learning & development budget and support for professional growth.
• Grants and equity-related incentives aligned with organizational mission.
• Wellness and wellbeing support, including mental health services.
• Participation in company retreats and team-building activities.