Optimum
Senior Data Scientist
NEWRemoteFull-timeGlobal
š Midš Remote
RemoteRemote work position availableActivePosted within the last 30 days
Job Description
[AI-summarized by JobStash]
You will lead empirical research into blockchain protocols, MEV, and market structure to inform Optimum's networking products and analytics strategy. Reasoning from raw on-chain data, protocol behavior, MEV, orderflow, market structure, and network-level timing signals, you will generate product insights at the intersection of networking infrastructure, decentralized systems, and empirical blockchain research, where millisecond-level differences can have meaningful economic consequences. This is a high-ownership, high-visibility role where you will shape research methodology, influence product direction, and communicate findings across Product, Research, Economics, and Engineering.
Requirements
- ā5+ years of experience in quantitative research, empirical blockchain research, data science, or a similarly analytical role, ideally in crypto, market structure, distributed systems, or latency-sensitive environments
- āStrong statistical background and experimental rigor, including A/B testing, causal inference, quasi-experiments, diff-in-diff, and instrumental variables
- āStrong blockchain research expertise with Ethereum or another major L1/L2 ecosystem and hands-on empirical on-chain research experience
- āDirect familiarity with MEV, block building, orderflow, validator/proposer dynamics, transaction propagation, and blockchain market structure
- āExperience building predictive and analytical models including regression, classification, time-series analysis, and modern machine learning techniques
- āFluency in Python and SQL and experience with modern analytical data platforms such as BigQuery or Snowflake
- āA product mindset with ability to frame ambiguous questions and translate research into actionable insights
- āHigh autonomy and ownership
- āPrior work in a research organization, protocol team, crypto trading firm, MEV/searcher team, or infrastructure company is a plus
- āFamiliarity with networking concepts, latency measurement, and distributed/decentralized systems is a plus
- āExperience working in an early-stage company is a plus
Responsibilities
- āOwn empirical research into MEV, block building, orderflow, validator/proposer behavior, latency-sensitive execution, and related market-structure dynamics
- āWork with on-chain, mempool, relay, validator, and network-level datasets, including sources such as Xatu, to identify actionable patterns and quantify opportunity areas
- āTranslate open-ended research questions into rigorous analysis, clear conclusions, and product-relevant recommendations
- āFormulate clear hypotheses, define falsifiable tests, evaluate evidence rigorously, and translate findings into actionable decisions
- āDesign and evaluate experiments, measurements, and causal analyses for latency-sensitive blockchain systems
- āBuild analytical frameworks that distinguish signal from noise in complex, high-variance environments
- āDevelop predictive, statistical, and simulation-based models that answer concrete product, research, and strategy questions
- āDocument assumptions, limitations, methodology, and results to a high standard
- āPartner closely with Product, Economics, Research, and Engineering to turn blockchain research into product direction and strategic insight
- āHelp define which signals matter, how they should be measured, and how they could become customer-facing product primitives
- āWork with Engineering on data pipelines, evaluation tooling, and production-ready research infrastructure
- āCommunicate complex methodology and market-structure insights clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences
Benefits & Perks
- āFlexible time off
- āFully remote work
- āEquity
Tech Stack
A/B testingBayesian statisticsBigQueryblock buildingblockchain researchCausal inferenceClassificationConfluenceCUPED