Research Intern, Summer 2027

The role

Research interns will conduct novel research in mechanism design, cryptoeconomics, distributed systems, programming languages, cryptography, and governance. They will contribute to technical publications and partner with the engineering team to build prototypes and run simulations.

What you will do

• Conduct novel, rigorous research on mechanism design, cryptoeconomics, distributed systems, programming languages, cryptography, and governance
• Contribute to technical publications, including peer-reviewed papers, blog posts, and white papers
• Partner with the engineering team to build prototypes, run simulations, and design experiments
• Engage with team members and visiting researchers to refine ideas and share insights

Required qualifications

• Currently enrolled in a PhD program in computer science, economics, mathematics, the social sciences, or a related field
• Passionate about decentralized systems with foundational knowledge
• Communicate clearly and can explain complex ideas in simple terms
• Have a clear research vision and drive to pursue innovative ideas
• Collaborative, self-motivated, and adaptable

Nice to have

• Exceptional master’s and undergraduate students will also be considered
• Residency in New York City is strongly preferred
• Letters of recommendation (1-2 letters)

Benefits

• Competitive pay
• Housing support

Before you apply

• Visa and work authorization support is considered on a case-by-case basis
• Submit applications by December 7, 2026 for full consideration

About the company

Category Labs is a team of systems engineers and researchers designing and building decentralized technology. They are the team behind Monad, a high-performance, EVM-compatible Layer 1.