ZK Researcher

🚀 About The Paradigm Shifters (TPS)

We are building a next-generation public blockchain architecture powered by cutting-edge zK (zero-knowledge proof) cryptographic tech. Our modular chain is purpose-built for developers — designed to support advanced use cases in payments, AI agents, and beyond. Backed and built by pioneers in the blockchain space, including the Neo Foundation and a globally distributed team of well-known PhDs, cryptographers, researchers/engineers and leaders. We're in a fully well-funded stealth position, pre-launch with active R&D.

🎯 The Role

Location: Remote (Anywhere in the United States); Type: Full-time; Start Date: ASAP

We’re hiring our 1st zK Research Engineer to work alongside our US founding team and liaison with our global research and engineering team of web3 experts, PhDs, postdoctoral researchers, cryptographers and consensus/zk engineers. This is a rare opportunity to research/contribute/architect/develop a fundamentally new blockchain platform and then assist us with translating these ideas and concepts to the world through our whitepaper, technical documentation and technical content. This zk Researcher/Engineer will play a pivotal role in translating and assisting in shaping key upcoming milestones, including initial announcement, pre-testnet marketing, ecosystem/community developer understanding/and skill transfer, to mainnet launch.

You'll be playing both sides of the field between research/engineering/concept building to technical documentation/content/whitepaper/etc. Therefore, if you consider yourself a Whitepaper building guru and thrive in herding cats to translate ideas to and build the technical documentation (ie. brain to paper person), and you've recently enjoyed your exploration and building in the zK realm, this is the role for you.

🛠️ What You'll Do

• Be at the front of newest cryptography and contribute to the latest advancements in cryptography and zero-knowledge proofs research, while collaborate with the global team to integrate ZK solutions.
• Implement cryptographic protocols while adhering to best security practices.
• Optimize and develop existing ZK systems based on new research insights.
• Stay updated with the latest advancements in cryptography and blockchain technology.
• Contribute to technical documentation and code reviews.

✅ You Should Have

• Ideally, 3-5+ years working in the decentralized realm, but open to less based on experience building/integrating ZK solutions (ZK protocols, modular blockchains, web3 developer tooling, security auditing)
• Prior experience in zK projects, but open to other open-source cryptography contributions
• Strong writing examples of translating technical concepts to absorbable material such as whitepapers, technical docs, technical content, etc.
• Ideally, PhD, but considering Bachelors or higher in Computer Science, Cryptography, Information Security or related Encryption field.
• 2+ years of experience with Rust, Go or C++ (as it pertains to building in the decentralized realm)
• Deep understanding/experience/research with zK protocols (SNARKS/STARKS, Rollups, ZKVMs, Fuzzing,etc)

💎 Bonus Points

• Experience with programming competitions or math Olympiads
• Awards, Prizes, Published projects or works
• Experience launching or growing a blockchain brand using ZK or modular infrastructure
• Strategic mindset with willingness to roll up sleeves — sole contributor to start

🌍 What We Offer

• Competitive salary + meaningful token/equity upside to come
• Global Remote-first culture with flexibility and autonomy
• Backing from respected investors and projects from the space
• Direct collaboration with world-class cryptographers, engineers, and protocol designers
• The chance to create a brand that becomes iconic in the ZK/crypto space