Research Team Lead

ABOUT COW DAO CoW DAO is on a mission to protect Ethereum users from MEV and optimize trade execution across DeFi. We achieve this through the CoW Protocol, CoW Swap (a leading intent-based DEX aggregator), and the innovative MEV Blocker, which together help secure, aggregate, and route trades for optimal outcomes. We also fund values-aligned projects via the CoW Grants Program. CoW Protocol is consistently ranked among the top DEX aggregators by monthly volume and is the largest intent-based exchange. Our MEV Blocker protects trades from harmful MEV extraction and is integrated across the Ethereum ecosystem. The CoW AMM is the only live AMM designed to protect liquidity providers from LVR (loss-versus-rebalancing). With over 100 open-source repositories on GitHub https://github.com/cowprotocol, we're transparent, community-driven, and deeply committed to the open-source ethos. Our real-time Dune Analytics dashboard https://dune.com/cowprotocol/cowswap showcases billions in cumulative trading volume and a rapidly growing user base. As we continue to scale, CoW DAO remains at the forefront of DeFi innovation, prioritizing security, efficiency, and decentralization. Learn more https://cow.fi/cow-swap About the Role Location: We are a fully remote team, and although we hire almost globally, there is a preference for this role to be based in Europe or remote +/- 4 hours CEST time Please note we’re not hiring from Australia, or New Zealand Position: Full-time contractor We are looking for a Lead Researcher to shape the future of decentralization, order flow, solver competition, and auction mechanisms at CoW DAO. This role is ideal for someone with a strong applied research background (not purely academic) and who has led research teams or major projects in the blockchain space. You’ll tackle complex challenges, see your work directly influence live protocol, and stay on top of emerging DeFi trends to help our products remain innovative and competitive. What you’ll be doing - Drive research efforts around decentralization of the CoW Protocol, solver competition, and mechanism evolution. - Lead and manage the research team, providing mentorship, guidance, and oversight for ongoing projects. - Maintain a hands-on mindset, directly engaging with protocol challenges, experimentation, and modeling. - Collaborate with product and engineering to align research with strategic goals and roadmap priorities. - Stay informed on emerging DeFi and blockchain trends to keep CoW Protocol ahead of the curve. - Communicate insights clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences, helping the team make data-driven decisions. What we’re looking for - Deep applied research experience in blockchain, DeFi, crypto-economics, or related fields. - Proven leadership and management skills. Experience mentoring, managing, or leading research teams or projects. - Strong product ownership and project management abilities, comfortable contributing to strategy, roadmap planning, and cross-team collaboration. - Pragmatic approach - you don’t just theorize; you drive research that results in shipped products or live systems. - Strong analytical skills and comfort working with data, research tools, or on-chain experimentation. - Excellent communication skills and ability to collaborate effectively with a diverse, international, remote team. - Web3-native mindset, keeping up with the latest on-chain trends, advancements, and research. What we can offer - Flexible work environment: Join our hub in Lisbon or work remotely - Token plan: Have a stake in our mission and shape the future of CoW DAO - Periodic gatherings: Enjoy opportunities to connect with the rest of the team through regular trips - Conference allocation: Stay up-to-date with ecosystem advancements using our conference budget - Learning budget: Use our learning budget to support your higher ambitions - Hardware budget: Take advantage of a hardware budget for acquiring necessary equipment - Make an impact: You are joining a startup where you can make a huge difference. Your work matters! - Flat hierarchies mean fewer processes and bureaucracy - see more of your ideas come to life! - Flexible work and vacation times: Prioritize work-life balance through our robust flexible work policy and vacation allowance - Growth: If you’re someone who loves taking the initiative and getting things done, CoW offers lots of opportunities for your individual growth Referral Program Earn 6.000 USDC or USD with the refer-to-earn program. More details here https://cow.fi/careers/refer-to-earn. CULTURE Life within the CoW Protocol is an incredible adventure! We take pride in our collaborative approach, embracing autonomy and fostering a culture of big thinking and continuous growth. We value impact, ownership, simplicity, and team spirit. Plus, we're all about feedback, coming together, and enjoying the journey along the way! At CoW Protocol, we strive to create a space where everyone feels included and empowered. We believe that our products and services benefit from our diverse backgrounds and experiences. All qualified applicants are considered for positions regardless of race, ethnic origin, age, religion or belief, marital status, gender identification, sexual orientation, or physical ability