Job Details
Posted date: Nov 26, 2025
Category: Research Sciences
Location: Redmond, WA
Estimated salary: $188,900
Range: $119,800 - $258,000
Employment type: Full-Time
Work location type: 3 days / week in-office
Role: Individual Contributor
Description
OverviewThe Security Research Group at Microsoft Research Redmond is pushing the boundary of what is possible with the fascinating primitive of zero-knowledge (ZK) proofs. You’ll work alongside experts who are shaping the future of secure and privacy-preserving computation through real-world applications of this primitive. Your contributions will help define the next generation of secure, scalable, and private systems in the cloud.
 
You will advance the frontier of high-speed cryptography by building next-generation zero knowledge proof systems, targeting higher security (e.g., resistance to quantum computers), improved performance, and usability. Your work will directly impact the performance and scalability of modern proof systems, enabling real-world applications that demand both speed and security. In this role, you’ll deepen your expertise in state-of-the-art proof systems and high-speed implementations. You’ll have opportunities to grow your skills through hands-on innovation and collaboration with world-class researchers and engineers.
Responsibilities
Design and implement the next-generation prover  Make proof systems accessible to non-experts by supporting application logic specified in high-level languages (improve usability and reduce the cost to develop new applications)  Support post-quantum secure crypto Publish papers in top security and cryptography conferences
Qualifications
Required Qualifications
PhD in Computer Science or related field ((or currently pursuing) Preferred Qualifications:
Prior experience with designing and implementing high-speed proof systems Familiarity and prior experience with post-quantum cryptographic primitives (e.g., lattice-based commitments) Experience with Rust Familiarity with making proof systems usable with compilers
Research Sciences IC4 - The typical base pay range for this role across the U.S. is USD $119,800 - $234,700 per year. There is a different range applicable to specific work locations, within the San Francisco Bay area and New York City metropolitan area, and the base pay range for this role in those locations is USD $158,400 - $258,000 per year.
Certain roles may be eligible for benefits and other compensation. Find additional benefits and pay information here:
https://careers.microsoft.com/us/en/us-corporate-pay
This position will be open for a minimum of 5 days, with applications accepted on an ongoing basis until the position is filled.
Microsoft is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, citizenship, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, immigration status, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran or military status, race, ethnicity, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable local laws, regulations and ordinances. If you need assistance with religious accommodations and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application process, read more about requesting accommodations.
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