Job Description
Senior Research Associate at dYdX (View all jobs)
1. You will own a broad set of research projects across a wide variety of topics including:
- Cutting-edge research into market structure on a distributed exchange, including MEV and other incentive analysis
- Novel mechanism design questions
- Internal-facing analysis to help the business understand its users and product
- External-facing projects to contribute to the global conversation on protocol design / trading / DeFi evolution
Key Responsibilities
- Provide advisory services to other parts of the business on analytical / quantitative problems
- Collaborate with dYdX partners to enrich the research perspective
- Engage in cross-functional collaboration with product, engineering, and business teams to align research outcomes with strategic goals
- Develop and present research findings through reports, presentations, or publications to inform decision-making and industry discourse
- Stay updated on emerging trends and technologies in decentralized finance (DeFi), blockchain, and trading protocols to maintain relevance and innovation
Job Requirements
- Advanced degree in economics, finance, computer science, or a related field with a strong foundation in quantitative analysis and research methodologies
- Proven experience in conducting original research, particularly in areas such as market microstructure, mechanism design, or DeFi ecosystems
- Excellent communication skills to translate complex research concepts into actionable insights for both technical and non-technical stakeholders
- Ability to work independently while contributing to a collaborative team environment
- Strong analytical mindset with a focus on problem-solving, data-driven decision-making, and innovation in decentralized systems
- Fluency in programming languages such as Python, R, or SQL to analyze and model financial data effectively
- Experience with blockchain platforms and smart contract development to understand protocol-level challenges and opportunities
- Knowledge of decentralized exchange (DEX) mechanics, including order book systems, liquidity provision, and market maker strategies
- Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, prioritizing tasks based on impact and urgency
- Passion for advancing the future of finance through research, innovation, and collaboration in the decentralized space
