Research Scientist, Data Management and Security - Infrastructure System Lab

Responsibilities

About the Team
We are the Infrastructure System Lab — a hybrid research and engineering group building the next-generation AI-native data infrastructure. Our work sits at the intersection of databases, large-scale systems, and AI. We drive innovation across:
- Next-generation databases: We build VectorDBs and multi-modal AI-native databases designed to support large-scale retrieval and reasoning workloads.
- AI for Infra: We leverage machine learning to build intelligent algorithms for infrastructure optimization, tuning, and observability.
- LLM Copilot: We develop LLM-based tooling like NL2SQL, NL2Chart.
- High-performance cache systems: We develop a multi-engine key-value store optimized for distributed storage workloads. We're also building KV caches for LLM inference at scale.
This is a highly collaborative team where researchers and engineers work side-by-side to bring innovations from paper to production. We publish, prototype, and build robust systems deployed across key products used by millions.

Job Responsibilities:
1. Research cutting-edge technologies in the field of data management and security.
2. Participate in the design and development of innovative data management and security projects, provide technical architecture and implementation plans based on performance, stability, scalability, and security considerations.
3. Submit high-quality code and complete development tasks on time according to project schedules.
4. Publish papers in top academic conferences (e.g., SIGMOD, VLDB, CCS).

Qualifications

Minimum Qualification:
1. Master's degree or higher in Computer Science or a related field, with a solid foundation in data structures and databases.
2. Familiarity with Unix/Linux operating systems and proficiency in mainstream programming languages such as C/C++, Go, and Java; strong programming skills and habits.
3. In-depth knowledge of database principles and understanding of common solutions and techniques for data security and privacy protection.
4. Strong logical reasoning and the ability to quickly learn new technologies; excellent problem-solving skills and a strong sense of responsibility.
5. Have published papers in top academic conferences (e.g., SIGMOD, VLDB, CCS).

Preferred Qualifications:
1. Research experience in the intersecting areas of security, AI/LLM, and data management is preferred.
2. Experience in the development of relational databases, NoSQL, or blockchain cores.
3. Knowledge of blockchain principles and technologies such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, Libra, Hyperledger Fabric, etc.
4. Understanding of the principles and components of blockchain database systems, such as QLDB, LedgerDB, Oracle Blockchain Table, Microsoft SQL Ledger, etc.
5. Proficiency in common encryption and decryption algorithms, authentication and signature algorithms, hash algorithms, security protocol design, access control models, software security theories, etc.
6. Research and practical experience in the security field, including but not limited to Trusted Execution Environment (TEE), secure multi-party computation, differential privacy, homomorphic encryption, threshold cryptography, function encryption, searchable encryption, zero-knowledge proofs, security proofs for protocol constructions, and cryptographic applications in blockchain.
7. Preference for candidates with experience in optimizing cryptographic algorithms, implementing cryptographic libraries, large-scale cryptographic applications, or winners of programming competitions.

Job Information

【For Pay Transparency】Compensation Description (Annually)

The base salary range for this position in the selected city is $145000 - $355000 annually.​

Compensation may vary outside of this range depending on a number of factors, including a candidate’s qualifications, skills, competencies and experience, and location. Base pay is one part of the Total Package that is provided to compensate and recognize employees for their work, and this role may be eligible for additional discretionary bonuses/incentives, and restricted stock units.​

Benefits may vary depending on the nature of employment and the country work location. Employees have day one access to medical, dental, and vision insurance, a 401(k) savings plan with company match, paid parental leave, short-term and long-term disability coverage, life insurance, wellbeing benefits, among others. Employees also receive 10 paid holidays per year, 10 paid sick days per year and 17 days of Paid Personal Time (prorated upon hire with increasing accruals by tenure).​

The Company reserves the right to modify or change these benefits programs at any time, with or without notice.​

For Los Angeles County (unincorporated) Candidates:​

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