Cryptographer at Scroll

Job Description

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct comprehensive research on zkEVM, zkVM, and ZKP protocols through rigorous analysis of code repositories, peer-reviewed publications, and technical whitepapers.
• Design and implement novel optimizations for zkEVM architectures, including improvements to proof generation efficiency, verification complexity, and privacy-preserving mechanisms.
• Develop and test advanced cryptographic constructions such as new ZKP schemes, homomorphic encryption, and multi-party computation protocols to enhance system security and scalability.
• Establish and maintain knowledge-sharing practices with the engineering team, translating complex research findings into actionable engineering specifications and implementation roadmaps.
• Forge strategic partnerships with academic institutions and external researchers to tackle open challenges in ZKP technology, such as proof size reduction, cross-chain interoperability, and standardized verification protocols.
• Document technical insights and maintain a centralized repository of research outcomes to support team decision-making and future development efforts.
• Participate in design reviews and provide expert guidance on protocol selection, ensuring technical feasibility and alignment with business objectives.
• Stay abreast of emerging trends in ZKP research, including post-quantum cryptography, succinct non-interactive arguments (SNARKs), and recursive proof systems.
• Collaborate with legal and compliance teams to ensure ZKP implementations meet regulatory requirements and industry standards.
• Present research findings at internal meetings and external conferences to foster knowledge dissemination and community engagement.

Job Requirements

• PhD in Computer Science, Cryptography, or related field with 3+ years of experience in ZKP research and development.
• Proven expertise in designing and optimizing blockchain protocols, particularly zkEVM and zkVM architectures.
• Strong background in advanced cryptographic techniques, including zero-knowledge proofs, homomorphic encryption, and lattice-based cryptography.
• Excellent analytical skills to evaluate technical trade-offs between security, efficiency, and scalability in ZKP systems.
• Ability to communicate complex technical concepts to both technical and non-technical stakeholders through clear documentation and presentations.
• Experience in collaborative research environments, with a track record of publishing in top-tier conferences and journals.
• Proficiency in programming languages such as Rust, Solidity, and Python for protocol development and testing.
• Deep understanding of blockchain fundamentals, including consensus mechanisms, smart contract execution, and cryptographic primitives.
• Strong problem-solving abilities to address challenging technical issues in ZKP implementations, such as proof size optimization and verification time reduction.
• Excellent teamwork skills to coordinate with engineers, product managers, and researchers across different departments and organizations.
• Ability to manage multiple research projects simultaneously while maintaining high-quality output and meeting deadlines.
• Knowledge of industry standards and regulatory frameworks governing cryptographic technologies and blockchain applications.
• Experience with tools for cryptographic protocol analysis, including formal verification systems and performance benchmarking frameworks.
• Strong mathematical foundation in number theory, algebraic structures, and computational complexity analysis.
• Ability to translate theoretical research into practical implementations while maintaining security guarantees and system performance.