Research Associate

Summary

Join Polychain as a Cryptocurrency Research Analyst and proactively identify strategic, liquid token and pre-token investment opportunities. You will leverage your deep understanding of computer science, distributed systems, and blockchain technology to accelerate global cryptocurrency adoption. Responsibilities include sourcing and researching investment opportunities, monitoring portfolio metrics, and maintaining relationships with protocol teams. You will perform due diligence, screen projects, and reason through emerging trends. A strong analytical mind and ability to explain complex concepts are crucial. Competitive compensation and a performance bonus are offered.

Requirements

• Solid understanding of smart contracts scripting, cryptography, crypto-economics, and blockchain technologies generally
• Ability to identify unconventional trends and emerging technologies
• Sharp analytical mind with a killer instinct to identify deals in the market
• Ability to aggregate information from a variety of sources including technical repositories and anecdotal feedback from teams, then draw informed conclusions from incomplete information
• Able to explain complex concepts in simple terms to a non-technical audience
• Obsession with the future of blockchain technology, web3, and low-level protocol development
• An open-minded research approach and genuine intellectual curiosity

Responsibilities

• Sourcing and researching liquid token investment opportunities in emergent protocols
• Creating and regularly monitoring portfolio company metrics
• Maintaining strong relationships through consistent communications with protocol core teams
• Working with the senior investment team on due diligence of prospective investments
• Screening projects by reading protocol specifications and evaluating the technical teams
• Reasoning through the emerging trends in the space and identifying non-obvious opportunities for deployment of capital
• Working closely with technical teams on their crypto-economic model, smart contract security, and other questions that come up around protocols and software
• Willingness to travel as necessary

Preferred Qualifications

A degree in a technical area (i.e., mathematics, engineering, or computer science) and/or technical experience is strongly preferred

Benefits

Competitive Compensation: $140,000 - $175,000 annual salary (dependent on experience)  plus eligibility for discretionary annual performance bonus