Research Team Lead in London

Research Team Lead in London

London Full-Time 28800 - 48000 ÂŁ / year (est.) No home office possible
C

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead research on decentralisation and drive innovative projects in the blockchain space.
  • Company: Join CoW DAO, a pioneering force in DeFi innovation.
  • Benefits: Flexible remote work, competitive token plan, learning budget, and hardware support.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in the future of decentralised finance and blockchain technology.
  • Qualifications: Deep applied research experience in blockchain and proven leadership skills.
  • Other info: Enjoy a collaborative culture with opportunities for personal growth and regular team gatherings.

The predicted salary is between 28800 - 48000 ÂŁ per year.

Join to apply for the Research Team Lead role at CoW DAO. About CoW DAO: CoW DAO is on a mission to protect Ethereum users from MEV and optimize trade execution across DeFi through the CoW Protocol, CoW Swap, and the innovative MEV Blocker. We also fund values‐aligned projects via the CoW Grants Program. With over 100 open‐source repositories on GitHub and real‐time Dune Analytics dashboards, we remain a transparent, community‐driven force in DeFi innovation, prioritizing security, efficiency, and decentralization.

About the Role:

  • Location: Fully remote team, preference for Europe or remote +/- 4 hours CEST time. We are not hiring from the United States, Australia, or New Zealand.
  • Position: Full‐time contractor.

We are looking for a Lead Researcher to shape the future of decentralization, order flow, solver competition, and auction mechanisms at CoW DAO. This role is ideal for someone with a strong applied research background (not purely academic) who has led research teams or major projects in the blockchain space.

What You'll Be Doing:

  • Drive research efforts around decentralization of the CoW Protocol, solver competition, and mechanism evolution.
  • Lead and manage the research team, providing mentorship, guidance, and oversight for ongoing projects.
  • Maintain a hands‐on mindset, directly engaging with protocol challenges, experimentation, and modeling.
  • Collaborate with product and engineering to align research with strategic goals and roadmap priorities.
  • Stay informed on emerging DeFi and blockchain trends to keep CoW Protocol ahead of the curve.
  • Communicate insights clearly to both technical and non‐technical audiences, helping the team make data‐driven decisions.

What We're Looking For:

  • Deep applied research experience in blockchain, DeFi, crypto‐economics, or related fields.
  • Proven leadership and management skills. Experience mentoring, managing, or leading research teams or projects.
  • Strong product ownership and project management abilities, comfortable contributing to strategy, roadmap planning, and cross‐team collaboration.
  • Pragmatic approach—driving research that results in shipped products or live systems.
  • Strong analytical skills and comfort working with data, research tools, and on‐chain experimentation.
  • Excellent communication skills and ability to collaborate effectively with a diverse, international, remote team.
  • Web3‐native mindset, keeping up with the latest on‐chain trends, advancements, and research.

What We Can Offer:

  • Flexible work environment: Join our hub in Lisbon or work remotely.
  • Token plan: Have a stake in our mission and shape the future of CoW DAO.
  • Periodic gatherings: Enjoy opportunities to connect with the rest of the team through regular trips.
  • Conference allocation: Stay up‐to‐date with ecosystem advancements using our conference budget.
  • Learning budget: Use our learning budget to support your higher ambitions.
  • Hardware budget: Take advantage of a hardware budget for acquiring necessary equipment.
  • Make an impact: Your work matters in a startup setting.
  • Flat hierarchies reduce bureaucracy, allowing more of your ideas to come to life.
  • Flexible work and vacation times: Prioritize work‐life balance through our robust policy.
  • Growth: CoW offers lots of opportunities for individual growth through initiative.

Culture: Life within the CoW Protocol is an incredible adventure! We take pride in our collaborative approach, embracing autonomy and fostering a culture of big thinking and continuous growth. We value impact, ownership, simplicity, and team spirit, and enjoy feedback and the journey along the way.

Equal Opportunity Statement: At CoW Protocol, we strive to create a space where everyone feels included and empowered. All qualified applicants are considered for positions regardless of race, ethnic origin, age, religion or belief, marital status, gender identification, sexual orientation, or physical ability.

Seniority Level: Mid‐Senior level

Employment Type: Full‐time

Job Function: Research, Analyst, and Information Technology

Industries: Internet Publishing

Research Team Lead in London employer: CoW DAO

CoW DAO is an exceptional employer that champions innovation in the DeFi space while prioritising a flexible and inclusive work culture. With opportunities for personal growth, a collaborative environment, and the chance to make a significant impact on the future of decentralisation, employees can thrive in a fully remote setting or at our Lisbon hub. Our commitment to transparency, autonomy, and continuous learning ensures that every team member feels valued and empowered to contribute their ideas.
C

Contact Detail:

CoW DAO Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Research Team Lead in London

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to folks in the blockchain and DeFi space, especially those connected to CoW DAO. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insights that might just set you apart from other candidates.

✨Tip Number 2

Show off your expertise! Prepare to discuss your past research projects and how they relate to decentralisation and auction mechanisms. We want to see your hands-on experience and how you can drive innovation at CoW DAO.

✨Tip Number 3

Be ready for a deep dive! Brush up on the latest trends in DeFi and blockchain. We love candidates who are not just knowledgeable but also passionate about staying ahead of the curve.

✨Tip Number 4

Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows us you’re serious about joining our mission to protect Ethereum users and innovate in the DeFi space.

We think you need these skills to ace Research Team Lead in London

Applied Research in Blockchain
Leadership and Management Skills
Mentoring and Team Guidance
Project Management
Product Ownership
Data Analysis
Research Tools Proficiency
On-Chain Experimentation
Communication Skills
Collaboration in Remote Teams
Web3 Knowledge
Understanding of DeFi and Crypto-Economics
Strategic Planning

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Your Research Skills: Make sure to highlight your applied research experience in blockchain and DeFi. We want to see how you've led teams or projects, so share specific examples that showcase your expertise and impact.

Tailor Your Application: Don’t just send a generic CV! Tailor your application to reflect the skills and experiences that align with our mission at CoW DAO. We love seeing candidates who understand our goals and can contribute to our innovative spirit.

Communicate Clearly: Since you'll be working with both technical and non-technical folks, make sure your application communicates your insights clearly. We appreciate candidates who can bridge the gap between complex ideas and straightforward explanations.

Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity to shape the future of decentralisation with us!

How to prepare for a job interview at CoW DAO

✨Know Your Stuff

Make sure you brush up on your applied research experience in blockchain and DeFi. Be ready to discuss specific projects you've led or contributed to, especially those that showcase your leadership skills and hands-on approach.

✨Showcase Your Leadership

Prepare examples of how you've managed research teams or major projects. Highlight your mentoring style and how you've guided team members through challenges, as this role requires strong leadership and management abilities.

✨Align with Their Mission

Familiarise yourself with CoW DAO's mission and values. Think about how your research aligns with their goals around decentralisation and trade execution. This will show that you're not just a fit for the role, but also for the company culture.

✨Communicate Clearly

Practice explaining complex concepts in simple terms. Since you'll need to communicate insights to both technical and non-technical audiences, being able to articulate your thoughts clearly will be key to your success in the interview.

Research Team Lead in London
CoW DAO
Location: London

Land your dream job quicker with Premium

You’re marked as a top applicant with our partner companies
Individual CV and cover letter feedback including tailoring to specific job roles
Be among the first applications for new jobs with our AI application
1:1 support and career advice from our career coaches
Go Premium

Money-back if you don't land a job in 6-months

C
Similar positions in other companies
UK’s top job board for Gen Z
discover-jobs-cta
Discover now
>