Senior Data Scientist

Lead empirical blockchain research using on-chain, protocol, market-structure, and network-level data to generate product insights for Optimum's networking infrastructure and analytics strategy.

Responsibilities

• Own empirical research into MEV, block building, orderflow, validator and proposer behavior, latency-sensitive execution, and market structure.
• Analyze on-chain, mempool, relay, validator, and network-level datasets to identify actionable patterns.
• Translate open-ended research questions into rigorous analysis, conclusions, and product recommendations.
• Formulate hypotheses, define falsifiable tests, evaluate evidence, and support actionable decisions.
• Design experiments, measurements, and causal analyses for latency-sensitive blockchain systems.
• Build analytical frameworks and predictive, statistical, and simulation-based models.
• Document methodology, assumptions, limitations, and results.
• Partner with Product, Economics, Research, and Engineering to turn research into product direction.
• Help define measurable signals and customer-facing product primitives.
• Collaborate with Engineering on data pipelines, evaluation tooling, and research infrastructure.
• Communicate complex methodology and market-structure insights to technical and non-technical audiences.

Requirements

• 5+ years of experience in quantitative research, empirical blockchain research, data science, or a similar analytical role.
• Strong statistical background and experience with A/B testing, causal inference, quasi-experiments, diff-in-diff, and instrumental variables.
• Strong blockchain research expertise with Ethereum or another major L1/L2 ecosystem and hands-on empirical on-chain research.
• Familiarity with MEV, block building, orderflow, validator and proposer dynamics, transaction propagation, and blockchain market structure.
• Experience with regression, classification, time-series analysis, and modern machine learning.
• Fluency in Python and SQL, with experience using BigQuery, Snowflake, or equivalent platforms.
• Product mindset and ability to translate ambiguous research into actionable product and strategic insights.
• High autonomy and ownership.
• Prior experience in a research organization, protocol team, crypto trading firm, MEV/searcher team, or infrastructure company is a plus.
• Familiarity with networking, latency measurement, and distributed or decentralized systems is a plus.
• Experience in an early-stage company is a plus.

Benefits

• Flexible time off
• Fully remote work
• Equity
• Competitive compensation
• Ownership from day one
• Close collaboration with a small, senior, cross-functional team