Researcher - Innovation

MLabs•New York, NY

23h•$120,000 - $150,000•Hybrid

About The Position

We are the first automated, on-chain economic security system, trusted by leading crypto protocols to manage and secure billions of dollars in assets. Our core mission is to enable crypto protocols to optimize risk management and capital efficiency while safeguarding user funds. We achieve this by analyzing protocol mechanics and scenario implications using world-class custom EVM simulations to provide actionable insights. We are seeking a proactive and results-driven Researcher to join our team, reporting directly to the Vertical Lead for Lending. You will play a critical role in conducting in-depth protocol research, modeling risk parameters, and communicating strategic findings to clients and the broader community, helping shape strategic research across high-impact DeFi projects. The Researcher will be responsible for conducting rigorous quantitative analysis and providing expert commentary on emerging Decentralized Finance (DeFi) protocols and products.

Requirements

Experience: Proven experience in economic research, risk analysis, or a related quantitative field, with a strong preference for candidates with direct exposure to the DeFi space.
Analytical Skills: Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with a solid history of conducting data-driven research.
Coding Proficiency: Comfortable running and modifying existing Python scripts, and capable of writing basic Python scripts for data fetching and normalization to support research activities.
Protocol Comprehension: Proficient in reading and possessing a strong understanding of smart contract code.
Communication: Excellent communication and presentation skills, capable of compiling and presenting complex research findings and writing formal research papers.
Domain Passion: Strong problem-solving abilities and a genuine passion for DeFi and blockchain technology.
Teamwork: A collaborative team player with the ability to work effectively with external clients and internal teams to refine product offerings.

Nice To Haves

Based in NYC (with ability to work from our Brooklyn office), USA, or Europe.
Direct experience with smart contracts, blockchain protocols, and/or DeFi projects.
In-depth knowledge of DeFi protocols, financial markets, and black-swan events is highly desirable.
Familiarity with profiling tools and performance optimization techniques.

Responsibilities

Protocol Analysis: Conduct a comprehensive analysis of emerging DeFi protocols and products, with a focus on Risk Modeling, Mechanism Design, and parameter optimization.
Data-Driven Insights: Analyze financial and on-chain data to draw out insights specific to protocol requirements, leveraging key metrics to perform various quantitative analyses.
Reporting & Communication: Develop and deliver professional, high-quality reports and research papers with clearly organized data for clients and the broader community.
Stakeholder Collaboration: Collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams to ensure high-quality outputs and contribute to the continuous improvement and innovation of our platform.
Code Understanding: Translate your understanding of protocol mechanics by proficiently reading and analyzing smart contract code.