About the Role

The Stellar Development Foundation (SDF) is expanding its scientific and technological research efforts and seeking a Director of Research to help guide that growth with purpose, depth, and a commitment to the public good. Since 2014, SDF has stewarded the development of the Stellar network, an open-source, large-scale blockchain platform that enables inclusive, efficient financial infrastructure around the world.

SDF Research plays a critical role in this mission, focusing on both practical and long-term challenges in distributed systems, cryptography, mechanism design, and the broader societal impact of decentralized technologies. This is a unique opportunity to apply deep research experience in a mission-driven environment where thoughtful, collaborative work has real-world impact.

Responsibilities

• Shape the research vision: Define and lead a long-term scientific research agenda that supports SDF's mission while contributing to broader conversations in computer science and decentralized systems. Identify both mission-aligned applied challenges and foundational open problems to guide internal research and community engagement.
• Foster deep academic and industry collaboration: Build strong, lasting partnerships with top researchers, labs, and institutions. Support initiatives that lead to joint publications, open-source contributions, and shared advancement of knowledge—both within and beyond the Stellar ecosystem.
• Balance innovation with exploration: Oversee a portfolio of research efforts ranging from mission-critical applications to blue-sky investigations in areas such as cryptography, distributed systems, and incentive design. Champion rigorous thinking that leads to practical outcomes and advances the state of the art.
• Build and support a strong, mission-driven research team: Recruit and develop a diverse group of research scientists and applied researchers, from early-career PhD interns to experienced domain experts. Create a supportive environment where a range of perspectives, backgrounds, and research styles can thrive.
• Translate insights into real-world impact: Ensure that research outcomes inform product strategy, ecosystem standards, and protocol development—helping strengthen Stellar's role in building accessible, resilient financial infrastructure.
• Engage with the global research community: Represent SDF at conferences, academic workshops, and standards bodies. Contribute to the broader discourse on decentralized systems and financial inclusion through publications, presentations, and thought leadership.

Requirements

• PhD in Computer Science, Cryptography, Distributed Systems, or a related field
• 10+ years of research experience in academia (e.g., tenured or tenure-track faculty) or industry (e.g., senior research scientist or director-level role)
• Strong track record of high-impact contributions, such as peer-reviewed publications, patents, open-source projects, or foundational technical work
• Demonstrated experience leading research programs or teams, including setting strategy and managing multi-year initiatives
• Experience working in both academic and applied research settings, with an ability to translate deep technical insights into practical impact
• Familiarity with open-source software development practices and/or participation in open standards communities (e.g., IETF, W3C)
• Proven ability to collaborate across disciplines and institutions, including with academic labs, research consortia, and industry partners
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to engage technical and non-technical stakeholders, represent the organization publicly, and contribute to technical and policy discussions
• Commitment to mentoring and supporting researchers across career stages, and to fostering a collaborative and inclusive research culture
• Interest in or experience with the societal, economic, and ethical dimensions of decentralized systems, particularly in the context of financial access and inclusion

Compensation

Competitive pay with a base salary range of $210,000–$365,000 depending on job-related knowledge, skills, experience, and location. In addition, lumen-denominated grants are offered.

Location

San Francisco, New York, Remote - Canada, Remote - EMEA, Remote - USA