Job summary
Job post source
This job is directly from Stellar Development Foundation
Job overview
The Director of Research at Stellar Development Foundation leads and shapes the scientific research agenda to advance open blockchain technology for equitable financial access, impacting the global financial system.
Responsibilities and impact
The role involves defining research vision, fostering academic and industry collaborations, overseeing diverse research projects, building and supporting a research team, translating research into real-world impact, and engaging with the global research community.
Compensation and benefits
The position offers a base salary range of $210,000 - $365,000 plus lumen-denominated grants, comprehensive health, dental, and vision coverage, flexible time off, parental leave, gym reimbursement, 401K with match, commuter benefits, wellbeing programs, learning and development budget, daily lunch and snacks, and company retreats.
Experience and skills
Candidates must have a PhD in Computer Science or related fields, 10+ years of research experience in academia or industry, a strong track record of impactful contributions, and leadership experience in research programs; preferred qualifications include experience in both academic and applied research, open-source and standards familiarity, cross-disciplinary collaboration, strong communication, mentoring, and interest in societal impacts of decentralized systems.
Career development
Opportunities include leading a mission-driven research team, collaborating with top researchers and institutions, contributing to cutting-edge blockchain research, and influencing product strategy and ecosystem standards.
Work environment and culture
The company values open research, inclusivity, collaboration, and public good, fostering a supportive and diverse environment focused on impactful and ethical decentralized technology development.
Company information
Stellar Development Foundation is a nonprofit founded in 2014 that supports the Stellar blockchain network to enable inclusive, efficient financial infrastructure worldwide through grants, tooling, and strategic collaborations.
Team overview
The candidate will lead and develop a diverse research team comprising early-career to experienced researchers, promoting a collaborative culture with varied technical and disciplinary perspectives.
Unique job features
This role uniquely combines deep scientific research leadership with mission-driven impact in blockchain technology for financial inclusion, offering a rare opportunity to influence both academic and practical advancements in decentralized systems.
Company overview
The Stellar Development Foundation (SDF) is a non-profit organization that supports the development and growth of the Stellar network, an open-source blockchain platform designed to facilitate fast, low-cost cross-border transactions. Founded in 2014 by Jed McCaleb and Joyce Kim, SDF aims to create equitable access to the global financial system by connecting banks, payment systems, and individuals. The foundation generates revenue through the distribution of Lumens (XLM), the native cryptocurrency of the Stellar network, and by fostering partnerships with financial institutions and technology companies to drive adoption and innovation within the ecosystem.
How to land this job
Position your resume to highlight your leadership in shaping long-term scientific research agendas, especially those aligned with open technology and decentralized systems, to mirror Stellar Development Foundation's mission.
Emphasize your experience in fostering collaborations with academic and industry partners, showcasing joint publications, open-source contributions, and cross-disciplinary teamwork relevant to blockchain and distributed systems.
Apply through multiple platforms including the Stellar Development Foundation's official careers page, LinkedIn, and relevant academic or blockchain-focused job boards to maximize exposure.
Connect with current research team members or leadership at Stellar Development Foundation on LinkedIn; use ice breakers like referencing their recent publications, mentioning shared interests in open standards, or asking about their vision for the future of decentralized financial systems.
Optimize your resume for ATS by incorporating keywords from the job description such as 'distributed systems,' 'cryptography,' 'mechanism design,' 'open-source,' 'research leadership,' and 'financial inclusion' to pass automated screenings.
Utilize Jennie Johnson's Power Apply feature to automate tailored applications, identify multiple application channels, and find LinkedIn contacts for networking, allowing you to focus your energy on preparing for interviews and strategic networking.
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