At a Glance
- Tasks: Transform research questions into actionable plans and validate ideas through proofs-of-concept.
- Company: Join Plasma, a pioneering blockchain company focused on stablecoin payments.
- Benefits: Above-market salary, comprehensive insurance, wellness stipends, and flexible time-off.
- Why this job: Shape the future of finance with cutting-edge blockchain technology and impactful research.
- Qualifications: Research-oriented engineer with strong cryptography and protocol design skills.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with opportunities for growth and innovation.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 ÂŁ per year.
Plasma is building a purpose-designed blockchain optimised for stablecoin payments, focusing on performance, predictability, and security for real-world financial use cases. The network is fully EVM-compatible, uses Reth as its execution layer, and runs on a custom high-performance consensus protocol, PlasmaBFT. As a Research Engineer, you will work within a small research group to guide the evolution of Plasma One, the company’s stablecoin‑focused neobank. The role centres on translating ambiguous research problems into practical protocol directions, evaluating cryptographic and privacy solutions, producing detailed design specifications, and validating ideas through targeted proofs‑of‑concept. You will collaborate closely with engineering, product, and leadership to shape protocol‑level decisions that can realistically ship.
Responsibilities
- Convert loosely defined research questions into structured plans by clarifying constraints, success metrics, and feasible solution paths.
- Evaluate build‑versus‑buy decisions for cryptography and privacy technologies, including confidential transaction and confidentiality mechanisms.
- Produce detailed technical design artefacts such as threat models, protocol sketches, interface boundaries, and rollout considerations.
- Develop proofs‑of‑concept to validate feasibility, performance characteristics, and integration risks where appropriate.
- Research hookup improvements across protocol areas including zero‑knowledge systems, applied cryptography, networking, block propagation, consensus trade‑offs, and latency optimisation.
- Communicate technical trade‑offs clearly across product, research, engineering, and platform teams.
- Operate as part of a small, high‑leverage research group, prioritising high‑impact investigations and unblocking others through clear guidance.
- Maintain high standards of rigor, including security reasoning, adversarial thinking, and practical correctness.
Requirements
- Research‑oriented engineer capable of taking ideas from conceptual research to practical, implementable designs.
- Comfort working with ambiguous problem statements and shaping them into concrete decisions.
- Strong understanding of cryptography, protocol design, adversarial models, and performance constraints.
- Ability to balance theoretical soundness with product and delivery considerations.
- Clear written and verbal communication skills for producing executable design documentation.
- Experience collaborating closely with leadership and cross‑functional teams, including reporting into a CTO role.
Compensation & Benefits
- Above‑market salary with token‑based compensation.
- Comprehensive insurance coverage for employees and their families.
- Monthly wellness stipends.
- Visa sponsorship and relocation support.
- London‑based office with gym access and daily lunches.
- Generous annual software and hardware allowances.
- Flexible time‑off policy.
Research Engineer in London employer: ArtOfBlockchain
Contact Detail:
ArtOfBlockchain Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Research Engineer in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to folks in the blockchain and research engineering space. Attend meetups, webinars, or even just chat with people on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio showcasing your research projects, proofs-of-concept, or any relevant work. This gives potential employers a taste of what you can bring to the table, especially in a role that values practical implementation.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for those interviews! Brush up on your cryptography and protocol design knowledge. Be ready to discuss how you've tackled ambiguous problems in the past and how you can translate research into actionable plans. Practice makes perfect!
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We love seeing candidates who are genuinely interested in joining us at Plasma. Tailor your application to highlight your experience with cryptographic solutions and collaborative projects, and let’s make some magic happen together!
We think you need these skills to ace Research Engineer in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Research Engineer role. Highlight your experience with cryptography, protocol design, and any relevant projects that showcase your ability to turn research into practical solutions.
Showcase Your Communication Skills: Since clear communication is key in this role, include examples of how you've effectively communicated complex technical concepts in previous positions. This could be through documentation, presentations, or team collaborations.
Demonstrate Problem-Solving Abilities: We love candidates who can tackle ambiguous problems! Share specific instances where you’ve taken a vague research question and transformed it into a structured plan, detailing the steps you took and the outcomes.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. We can’t wait to see what you bring to the table!
How to prepare for a job interview at ArtOfBlockchain
✨Understand the Tech Inside Out
Make sure you have a solid grasp of blockchain technology, especially around stablecoins and cryptography. Familiarise yourself with Plasma's specific technologies like Reth and PlasmaBFT. This will help you answer technical questions confidently and show your genuine interest in the role.
✨Prepare for Ambiguity
Since the role involves translating ambiguous research problems into structured plans, practice how you would approach unclear scenarios. Think of examples from your past where you successfully navigated ambiguity and turned it into actionable steps. This will demonstrate your problem-solving skills.
✨Showcase Your Collaboration Skills
Highlight your experience working with cross-functional teams. Be ready to discuss how you've communicated complex technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders. This is crucial as the role requires clear communication across product, research, and engineering teams.
✨Bring Your Design Documentation Samples
If possible, bring along samples of your previous design documentation or technical artefacts. This could include threat models or protocol sketches. It’s a great way to showcase your ability to produce clear, executable design documentation, which is key for this position.