This early-stage startup seeks a highly skilled security researcher to help strengthen their privacy-preserving infrastructure for Layer 2 Ethereum solutions. The researcher will analyze and help optimize zkEVM circuit architectures employed in systems like Plonk and Halo2 to improve verification performance. They will also benchmark the efficiency of recursive zero-knowledge proofs implemented in Rust and C++. In addition, the researcher will collaborate with cryptographers to explore novel consensus mechanisms. Ideal candidates have a minimum of two years of direct experience developing with zero-knowledge proof frameworks like gnark, bellman, and starkware-libraries. A background that includes peer-reviewed publications in leading security conferences or significant open-source contributions is preferred. Proficiency with confidential computing challenges like maximally extractable value and resistance patterns in decentralized finance is important. Experience reviewing Ethereum upgrade proposals or contributions to projects such as Taiko or Risc0 will be well-regarded but are not required.
