COMPANY DESCRIPTION

Visa is a world leader in digital payments, facilitating more than 215 billion payments transactions between consumers, merchants, financial institutions and government entities across more than 200 countries and territories each year. Our mission is to connect the world through the most innovative, convenient, reliable and secure payments network, enabling individuals, businesses and economies to thrive.

When you join Visa, you join a culture of purpose and belonging - where your growth is priority, your identity is embraced, and the work you do matters. We believe that economies that include everyone everywhere, uplift everyone everywhere. Your work will have a direct impact on billions of people around the world - helping unlock financial access to enable the future of money movement.

JOIN VISA: A NETWORK WORKING FOR EVERYONE.JOB DESCRIPTION

We are currently focused on building world-class research teams in three key areas: Security, Digital Currencies, and Data Analytics, and we are looking for outstanding and innovative researchers at all levels of experience as part of our Digital Currency Research team.

Working on Digital Currency research at Visa is a unique opportunity at a time when the payments industry is undergoing a digital transformation, and with security technologies as the critical enabler for a growing number of emerging payment models and usage scenarios. We offer you the opportunity to be at the center of innovation in the payments industry and set the security direction for Visa and the future payment ecosystem.

THE POSITION

As a Research Scientist you will work with a team to conduct world-class security, cryptography, and distributed systems research and contribute to the long-term research agenda for digital payments, as well as deliver innovative technologies and insights to Visa's strategic products and business. As an integral team member of the extended Research team, you will work on research and development activities with fellow researchers, and work closely with product and technology teams to ensure the successful creation and application of disruptive and innovative security technologies.

This role represents an exciting opportunity to make key contributions to Visa's strategic vision as the world-leading digital payments company. The successful candidate must have an outstanding academic track record in fundamental and applied research with participation in developing innovations. The candidate will be a self-starter comfortable with ambiguity, with strong attention to detail, and excellent collaboration skills.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Research and develop cutting-edge protocols and technologies to advance the scalability, performance, privacy, auditability of cryptocurrencies and blockchain-based systems.
• Deliver high-impact intellectual property values through top-tier research publications and patents.
• Collaborate with team members to deliver innovative technologies, insights and products to Visa business units to resolve their significant product pain-points and create new growth opportunities.
• Collaborate with our partners in academia, industry and government on key initiatives to advance our security research agenda.
• Work with team members and cross-functional teams (internal/external) that include representation from Technology, Product, Operations, Market Research, etc.
• Foster in-depth and productive relationships at all levels with team members and clients internally and externally.

QUALIFICATIONS

BASIC

• PhD degree in computer science, computer engineering, electrical engineering, mathematics, or equivalent field with a focus on security, cryptography, and/or distributed systems. 
• Expertise in one or more blockchain research areas: e.g., design and analysis of distributed consensus protocols, applied cryptography, game theory, crypto economics, layer-2 solutions, sharding protocols, smart contract analysis, and/or their application to blockchain, payments, and cryptocurrencies.
• Excellent track record in research publications and impact in the research community.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to think outside the box and innovate.

PREFERRED

• Demonstrated research project/program management experience is a plus.
• Experience in payments or related industry is a plus.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Visa has adopted a COVID-19 vaccination policy to safeguard the health and well-being of our employees and visitors. As a condition of employment, all employees based in the U.S. are required to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19, unless a reasonable accommodation is approved or as otherwise required by law.

WORK HOURS:

Varies upon the needs of the department.

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS:

This position requires travel 5-10% of the time.

MENTAL/PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

This position will be performed in an office setting.  The position will require the incumbent to sit and stand at a desk, communicate in person and by telephone, frequently operate standard office equipment, such as telephones and computers.

Visa is an EEO Employer. 

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or protected veteran status.  Visa will also consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with EEOC guidelines and applicable local law.

Visa will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with applicable local law, including the requirements of Article 49 of the San Francisco Police Code.

At Visa we are Powering Payments, and Uplifting People!

As the world leader in digital payments, we facilitate more than 215 billion payments transactions between consumers, merchants, financial institutions, and government entities across more than 200 countries and territories each year. Our mission is to connect the world through the most innovative, convenient, reliable, and secure payments network, enabling individuals, businesses, and economies to thrive.

Make an impact with a purpose-driven industry leader. Join us today and experience #LifeAtVisa

Learn more at Visa.com