Formal Methods Researcher for ZK
Skills
About the Role
You will research and develop new formal verification techniques for zero-knowledge circuits, proving systems, and ZKVMs. You will design and implement generic circuit transformations, analyses, and optimizations within LLZK and ensure their correctness via formal methods. You will extend and improve core ZK tooling (including Picus and ZK Vanguard), integrate verification techniques with engineering and audit teams, and publish research findings to advance verification for cryptographic security.
Requirements
- PhD or equivalent professional research experience in formal methods, programming languages, computer security, or a related field
- Publications in top programming languages, verification, or security conferences
- Strong background in automated verification such as SMT solvers and software model checking
- Some experience with cryptographic security, zero-knowledge circuits, or blockchain security
- Ability to independently identify and tackle important security challenges in ZK technologies
- Strong communication skills and ability to work on both theoretical research and practical implementation
- Preferred: experience designing formal verification infrastructure for large-scale systems or security-critical systems
- Preferred: proficiency with interactive theorem provers (for example Lean, Coq, or ACL2)
- Preferred: proficiency in C++ and Rust
- Preferred: knowledge of ZK circuit languages and familiarity with SMT solving techniques for cryptographic applications
- Preferred: contributions to open-source projects in formal methods, theorem proving, or verification tooling
Responsibilities
- Enhance and extend core ZK tooling including Picus, ZK Vanguard, and the LLZK circuit IR
- Develop novel methodologies to improve usability and scalability of ZK tools for complex circuits
- Design and implement generic circuit transformations, analyses, and optimizations within LLZK
- Design and implement formal verification methodologies to ensure correctness
- Integrate verification techniques with engineering and audit teams
- Conduct research and publish findings on formal verification for cryptographic security
Benefits
- Flexible work environment