Research Scientist, Incentive Architecture
Remote-Friendly (Travel-Required) | Dubai, UAE | Lagos, Nigeria
Arcadia Research
Arcadia Research's mission is to develop autonomous systems for inclusive global prosperity. We aim to create blockchain and AI technologies that are secure, transparent, and beneficial for our users and society at large. Our team is a diverse group of researchers, engineers, economists, and policy experts working together to build emancipatory systems that redefine global socioeconomics.
About the Role
At Arcadia Research, the Incentive Architecture team isn’t just designing economic frameworks – we are reimagining the very foundation of decentralized finance and its potential to bring about a more equitable world. In a future where power is distributed and opportunity is democratized, the economic models that underpin decentralized systems will be the bedrock of global prosperity. As a Research Scientist on this team, you will delve into the complex interplay between security, stability, and equity, ensuring that decentralized networks are not just functional, but transformative. Your work will guide the development of resilient systems capable of withstanding market fluctuations and aligning diverse stakeholder interests, laying the groundwork for an economy where every participant has a stake in shared prosperity.
Responsibilities
- Develop and refine incentive mechanisms for decentralized networks, focusing on balancing security, stability, and equity.
- Design experiments and simulations to test economic models in both theoretical and practical contexts.
- Collaborate with cross-disciplinary teams to integrate incentive structures into broader system architectures.
- Analyze and model tokenomic strategies, exploring how dynamic incentives can be used to drive sustainable network growth.
- Publish research findings and contribute to Arcadia’s thought leadership in decentralized finance.
Some of our team’s notable publications include:
- Stakeholder Alignment in DeFi: Balancing User, Developer, and Investor Interests
- Designing Anti-Fragile Economic Models: Resilience in Decentralized Systems
- Quantifying Equity in Tokenomics: Assessing Wealth Distribution in Decentralized Economies
- Dynamic Token Economics for Network Sustainability: A Game-Theoretic Approach
You may be a good fit if you:
- Have a strong background in economics, game theory, or related fields, with a focus on decentralized systems or tokenomics.
- Are experienced in designing and testing incentive mechanisms in complex, multi-agent environments.
- Enjoy working in a cross-disciplinary research setting and collaborating with engineers, product teams, and other researchers.
- Have a proven track record of publishing relevant research.
- Are comfortable with blockchain technologies and have a keen interest in decentralized systems.
- Value equity, transparency, and sustainability in technology design.
Strong candidates may also:
- Have experience designing tokenomic models for decentralized finance systems.
- Be proficient in agent-based modeling and game theory for analyzing stakeholder behavior in complex economic systems.
- Demonstrate familiarity with blockchain platforms and mechanisms for optimizing incentives within multi-agent environments.
- Show expertise in developing anti-fragile economic models and conducting simulations to test network resilience under varying market conditions.
Candidates need note have:
- 100% of the skills listed to apply for this role.
- Formal certifications or degrees to be considered.
Deadline to apply: None. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
Expected Annual Salary: $150,000 - $300,000 USD
Logistics
Onsite policy: In general, we expect staff to be in one of our offices at least 60% of the time. However, some roles may require more time onsite, while some roles may allow for less.
We encourage you to apply even if you don't believe you meet every single qualification listed.At Arcadia Research, we understand that talent comes in many forms and that your unique skills and experiences may be just what we need, even if they don't perfectly match our job description. Our ideal candidate will likely meet many of the qualifications we've outlined, but we recognize that strength can manifest in various ways.
If you're passionate about blockchain technology, AI integration, and their potential to reshape global financial systems, we want to hear from you. Don't let imposter syndrome or a few unmet criteria hold you back. We're looking for dedicated, innovative thinkers who can grow with us and contribute to our mission. Your fresh perspective could be invaluable to our team.
We encourage you to highlight your strengths in your application, even if they're not explicitly mentioned in our job posting. If you're excited about the work we're doing at Arcadia Research and believe you can contribute, please submit your application. We look forward to learning more about what you can bring to our team.
Arcadia Research offers a comprehensive compensation package consisting of three key elements: salary, equity, and benefits.We are committed to fair and competitive compensation, aiming for these elements collectively to align with or exceed market rates for comparable roles in the blockchain and AI research sectors.
Our compensation structure is designed to reflect the value we place on top talent in our field. The specific compensation offered will be based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to:
- Your placement on our internal performance framework
- Relevant prior experience in blockchain technology, AI, or financial systems
- Educational background
- Performance during our interview process or any technical assessments
We regularly review and adjust our compensation practices to ensure we remain competitive in the rapidly evolving fields of blockchain and AI research. While this information represents our current approach, it may be subject to future modifications as we continue to grow and adapt to market conditions.
We believe in transparency and will discuss specific compensation details during the later stages of the interview process, ensuring that candidates have a clear understanding of the total package being offered.