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 Italy.

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.

Accountabilities

• 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.

How Jobgether Works

We use an

AI-powered matching process

to ensure your application is reviewed quickly, objectively, and fairly against the role's core requirements. Our system identifies the top-fitting candidates, and this shortlist is then shared directly with the hiring company. The final decision and next steps (interviews, assessments) are managed by their internal team.

We appreciate your interest and wish you the best!

Why Apply Through Jobgether?

Data Privacy Notice:

By submitting your application, you acknowledge that Jobgether will process your personal data to evaluate your candidacy and share relevant information with the hiring employer. This processing is based on legitimate interest and pre-contractual measures under applicable data protection laws (including GDPR). You may exercise your rights (access, rectification, erasure, objection) at any time.

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.