Job Description
This position is seeking a highly skilled Research Cryptographer to contribute to the development and enhancement of secure network messaging protocols (NMC). The ideal candidate will engage in a comprehensive range of cryptographic research activities, including the analysis and verification of existing protocols, the creation of new security proofs, and the optimization of protocol performance. The role will also involve exploring innovative protocol variants that address diverse security scenarios and adversary models. Additionally, the candidate will be responsible for reviewing technical documentation, presenting findings to internal teams, and participating in collaborative brainstorming sessions to drive new research directions.
Key Responsibilities
- Conduct rigorous verification of existing NMC protocols to ensure their robustness against potential vulnerabilities and attacks.
- Review and refine technical written materials such as whitepapers, research reports, and documentation to maintain accuracy and clarity.
- Develop and document new security proofs for established NMC protocols, employing advanced mathematical and cryptographic techniques.
- Optimize existing protocols to enhance their efficiency, reduce computational overhead, and improve scalability for real-world applications.
- Design and implement protocol variants that cater to different operational requirements, such as synchronous/asynchronous communication, computational/ITS (Intellectual Property Security) models, and passive/active adversary scenarios.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams to design novel protocols from scratch, integrating cutting-edge cryptographic research and industry best practices.
- Prepare and deliver internal presentations to educate colleagues on complex cryptographic concepts, protocol designs, and security methodologies.
- Engage in regular brainstorming sessions to explore new ideas, propose innovative solutions, and contribute to the strategic direction of cryptographic research.
- Stay updated with the latest advancements in cryptography and network security to ensure the protocols remain state-of-the-art and compliant with evolving standards.
- Document all research processes, findings, and protocol modifications in a clear and structured manner for future reference and team collaboration.
Job Requirements
- PhD in Computer Science, Mathematics, or a related field with a focus on cryptography and network security.
- Proven expertise in protocol design, security proofs, and formal verification methodologies.
- Strong proficiency in cryptographic algorithms, including symmetric/asymmetric encryption, hash functions, and digital signatures.
- Excellent analytical skills to identify and mitigate security risks in protocol implementations.
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a remote environment, with strong communication skills for internal presentations.
- Experience with tools such as formal verification frameworks (e.g., Tamarin, ProVerif), cryptographic libraries (e.g., OpenSSL, libsodium), and programming languages (e.g., Python, C++).
- Knowledge of adversary models, including static/mobile adversaries, boolean/arithmetic operations, and attack scenarios like replay attacks, man-in-the-middle attacks, and side-channel attacks.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills to articulate complex technical concepts clearly and concisely.
- Ability to conduct thorough literature reviews and synthesize findings from academic papers and industry publications.
- Excellent problem-solving skills to address challenging cryptographic problems and develop innovative solutions.
- Proficiency in LaTeX for writing technical documentation and research papers.
- Experience with cloud computing platforms and distributed systems for protocol testing and deployment.
- Understanding of blockchain technologies and their security implications, if applicable to the role.
- Ability to work with minimal supervision while maintaining high standards of accuracy and security.
- Strong time management skills to meet project deadlines and deliverables in a remote work environment.
