Director of Research
Stellar is an open-source blockchain network designed to facilitate fast, low-cost cross-border payments and financial transactions globally.
Maintainer signals as of 8/23/2026
Funding history
Investors
Projects
About Stellar Development Foundation
Stellar is an open-source blockchain network focused on improving global financial access by enabling fast, secure, and low-cost cross-border transactions. It connects financial institutions, payment systems, and individuals to transfer digital and fiat assets. With a mission to promote financial inclusion, Stellar is designed to serve both developed and underserved markets, offering interoperability between traditional and blockchain-based financial systems.
Skills
Candidate Availability
Required and preferred rules are kept separate and reflect the wording in the original posting.
About the Role
You will define and lead a long-term scientific research agenda, identifying applied and foundational problems in cryptography, distributed systems, and mechanism design. You will build partnerships with academic and industry collaborators, oversee a portfolio of research projects from applied to blue-sky, and ensure research outcomes inform product strategy and standards. You will recruit, mentor, and develop researchers across career stages and represent the organization at conferences, workshops, and standards bodies.
Requirements
- PhD in Computer Science, Cryptography, Distributed Systems, or a related field
- 10+ years of research experience in academia or industry
- Proven track record of high-impact contributions such as peer-reviewed publications, patents, or open-source projects
- Demonstrated experience leading research programs or teams and managing multi-year initiatives
- Experience working in both academic and applied research settings (preferred)
- Familiarity with open-source development practices and participation in standards communities (preferred)
Responsibilities
- Define and lead a long-term scientific research agenda
- Build and maintain partnerships with academic and industry researchers
- Oversee a portfolio of research projects across applied and exploratory areas
- Recruit, mentor, and develop research staff and interns
- Translate research findings into product strategy, standards, and protocol development
- Represent the organization at conferences, workshops, and standards bodies
Benefits
- Lumen-denominated grants
- Competitive health, dental, and vision coverage
- Flexible time off plus 15 company holidays and company-wide holiday break
- Up to 12 weeks paid parental leave and up to 14 weeks paid pregnancy leave
- Gym reimbursement
- Life and AD&D insurance
- Short and long term disability
- 401(k) with 4% employer match
- Health and Dependent Care FSA accounts
- Commuter benefits with employer contribution
- Health Savings Account with employer contribution
- Family building benefits
- Wellbeing benefits
- Learning and development budget
- Daily lunch and snacks in office
- Company retreats