Applied Cryptographer

Summary

Join Blockstream's research team as an Applied Cryptographer and play a key role in our Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) initiative. You will research, evaluate, and implement post-quantum cryptographic solutions for Bitcoin. Adapt state-of-the-art post-quantum cryptography research to the Bitcoin domain, exploring features relevant to Bitcoin. Explore, evaluate, and benchmark various approaches for integrating post-quantum schemes into Bitcoin. Contribute to and review Bitcoin Improvement Proposals (BIPs). Implement cryptography for potential usage in Bitcoin, emphasizing performance and correctness. This is a chance to significantly contribute to Bitcoin's long-term security and evolution.

Requirements

• Deep understanding of cryptographic principles and the ability to apply them to analyze complex technical problems and devise innovative solutions
• Commitment to high-quality, dependable work, reflected in a strong appreciation for robust and misuse-resistant cryptographic designs
• A long-term perspective suitable for research and development efforts that may take years to reach fruition
• Excellent communication skills and a collaborative, team-player attitude

Responsibilities

• Adapt state-of-the-art post-quantum cryptography research to the Bitcoin domain, exploring features particularly relevant for Bitcoin (e.g., threshold signatures, signature aggregation, Taproot tweaking, silent payments, HD wallets)
• Explore, evaluate, and benchmark various approaches for concretely integrating post-quantum schemes into Bitcoin, analyzing their implications
• Contribute to and review Bitcoin Improvement Proposals (BIPs) and adapt standardized cryptography for use in Bitcoin
• Implement cryptography for potential usage in Bitcoin, emphasizing performance and correctness

Preferred Qualifications

• Specific academic or practical experience with post-quantum cryptography
• Familiarity with Bitcoin and Layer 2’s at the protocol level
• Previous academic work on cryptocurrencies, digital signatures, zero-knowledge proofs, or other areas of cryptography
• Proven experience implementing cryptography in practical systems
• Experience with C or Rust
• Experience contributing to open-source projects
• Master's degree or PhD in Computer Science or a related field