Senior Researcher, Systems

About the role

This role involves designing performant algorithms and architectures related to storage and recovery in both single-node and distributed environments. The work focuses on enhancing decentralized technology, specifically for Category Labs' high-performance, EVM-compatible Layer 1 blockchain, Monad. This includes contributing to the core software, which features a parallel-execution EVM, a custom state database, and a BFT consensus client.

The team at Category Labs is composed primarily of engineers and researchers, working on challenging problems to improve existing blockchain solutions. Success in this role means making meaningful contributions to the core infrastructure, which is developed in the open. The company aims to offer portability and performance to developers, driving mass user adoption in crypto.

As a senior researcher, you will contribute to a lean team with ambitious goals, shaping the culture through collaboration and high-quality output. The company is well-capitalized and offers an environment where you can learn and grow as the organization scales, working on problems that have a significant impact on the decentralized technology landscape.

The salary for this full-time senior researcher position ranges from $180,000 to $250,000 USD annually.

Skills that matter here

• C++: This is the primary language for developing the core software, including the parallel-execution EVM and consensus client.
• clang: Used as part of the tech stack for building and compiling the high-performance systems.
• LLVM: Leveraged within the tech stack for compiler infrastructure and optimization of system components.
• gdb: A debugging tool used to ensure the reliability and correctness of the production-grade code.
• perf: Utilized for performance analysis and optimization of algorithms and architectures.
• unix: The operating system environment within which the core software and systems are developed and deployed.

Who this role suits

• A self-motivated individual with a PhD in Computer Science or equivalent, possessing significant research experience in databases or operating systems.
• Someone who thrives on solving challenging problems and is curious about the intricate details of lower-level systems.
• A collaborative team member who can adapt to a fast-paced environment and contribute to production-grade code.
• An individual interested in building high-value, performant, and distributed systems in an open-source setting.

From the employer

What You Will Do

• Designing performant algorithms and architectures related to storage or recovery, in single-node or distributed environments.
• Researching new architectures
• Tech stack: C++, clang, LLVM, gdb, perf, unix, git

Who You Are

• PhD in Computer Science or equivalent
• Significant research experience into databases or operating systems
• Experience writing performant algorithms
• Experience writing production-grade code
• Resourceful and self-motivated
• Collaborative
• Adaptive; able to make meaningful contributions in a fast-paced environment
• Curious about lower-level system details
• Interested in building high-value, performant and distributed systems

Why Work with Us

• Challenging problems: You’ll work on extremely challenging problems with massive impact. See our [Blogs](https://www.category.xyz/blogs) and [Publications & Talks](https://www.category.xyz/papers-talks) for a flavor of the problems we are solving in the real world.
• Huge opportunity: The Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) standard is ubiquitous, but existing EVM-compatible chains are very slow. Monad’s core innovations offer developers the best of both worlds (portability and performance) and are a game-changer for mass user adoption in crypto.
• The right team: You’ll be part of a small, exceptional team (engineers and researchers make up 90% of the team).
• Open by default: Our core software is public on GitHub. You’ll build in the open, and your work ships where the whole ecosystem can see it.
• Culture: We’re a lean team working together to achieve very ambitious goals. We are united in our culture of collaboration, low ego, and high-quality output. As an early member of our team, you’ll help to shape our culture.
• Compensation: You’ll receive a competitive salary and equity package.
• Resources and growth: We’re well-capitalized, with [backing](https://x.com/monad_xyz/status/1777687376136982767) from leading venture funds like Paradigm, Electric Capital, Greenoaks, Dragonfly, and Coinbase Ventures. We keep a lean team, and this is a rare opportunity to join. You’ll learn a lot and grow as our company scales.