Help us build the leading wallet infrastructure for the multi-trillion-dollar digital asset industry. Work closely with our top leadership, including the CTO, CPO, and Head of Security, and collaborate with a talented team of Cryptographers, Security Engineers and Protocol Engineers. We’re looking for a Lead Cryptographer with expertise in developing secure, efficient cryptographic protocols focused namely on multi-party computation, threshold cryptography, and post-quantum cryptography. You will collaborate with library developers and solutions architects to enhance our cryptographic solutions, aligning them with the company’s needs and objectives.

As a Lead Cryptographer, you will:

• Carry out fundamental and applied research with the research team.

• Act as a powerhouse of ideas on all cryptographic and research issues.

• Collaborate with the research and engineering team on technical research tasks. 

More information on Dfns Labs and its affiliated projects: dfns.co/labs

Responsibilities

Your main objective is to research, innovate and develop cryptographic protocols that align with customer requirements and business objectives.

Example of a primary metric could be Publication Per Year.

Your daily tasks will involve:

• Designing and implementing cryptographic solutions applied to blockchain services (e.g., keys, wallets, signatures).

• Driving innovation in cryptographic methods to improve product security.

• Testing cryptographic theories based on product security needs and developing proof-of-concepts for MPC, threshold cryptography, zero-knowledge proofs and more.

• Leading the development of post-quantum threshold signature protocols.

• Collaborating with engineering teams to integrate cryptographic solutions into libraries and applications.

• Presenting cryptographic research and findings through articles and blog posts and collaborating with external partners on cryptographic projects.

• Authoring and updating internal and external documentation.

• Identifying weaknesses and designing robust security systems to mitigate new risks.

• Analyzing security protocols, reporting threats, and developing countermeasures.

• Ensuring the security and integrity of cryptographic protocols across our product lines.

• Conducting security assessments and vulnerability analysis of cryptographic implementations.

• Handling communications with independent researchers and designing strategies to mitigate reported vulnerabilities.

• Training staff on cryptography and secure system development.

• Staying updated on cryptography and blockchain technology advancements.

Requirements

• PhD in Computer Science, Cryptography, or a related technical field.

• 5+ years of cryptography experience, preferably in fintech.

• Strong understanding of both theoretical and practical aspects of cryptography.

• Experience publishing in peer-reviewed conferences and journals.

• Hands-on experience with cryptographic protocols.

• Knowledge of MPC, zero-knowledge proofs, zk-STARKs, zk-SNARKs, bulletproofs, elliptic curve cryptography, and prominent signature schemes.

• Experience with key management and secure storage solutions.

• Familiarity with authentication methods and standards (OAuth, WebAuthn, etc.).

• Knowledgeable about blockchains and underlying technologies.

• Knowledge of cybersecurity best practices and compliance.

• Excellent communication skills for collaboration with technical and non-technical stakeholders.

• Superior written and verbal communication skills.

• Strong problem-solving skills and ability to advocate for ideas.

• Entrepreneurial mindset with a professional demeanor.

• [Bonus] Proficiency in Rust, C++ or Haskell programming.

Process

• Intro call with Co-CEO (30 min).

• Personality and cognitive tests.

• Focus interview with hiring panel (90-120 min).

• Reference calls and background checks.

Terms

• Title: Lead Cryptographer

• Salary: €90,000-140,000 per year (full-time permanent work contract).

• Equity: 100-500 stock options vested over 4 years.

• Location: France or other EU countries (excluding UK, Iceland and Switzerland)

• Work essentials: MacBook Pro, AirPods, and other necessary equipment.