Summer Research Intern 2027

About the role

Category Labs, the team behind the high-performance, EVM-compatible Layer 1 blockchain Monad, is hiring Summer Research Interns for 12 weeks, from May 17 to August 30. The internship covers advanced research in mechanism design, cryptoeconomics, distributed systems, programming languages, cryptography and governance, with the option to propose your own projects. It is based in New York City, residency strongly preferred but not required.

Key responsibilities

• Conduct novel, rigorous research on the listed topics.
• Contribute to technical publications such as peer-reviewed papers, blog posts and white papers.
• Work with the engineering team to build prototypes, run simulations and design experiments testing your models and assumptions.
• Share your work with team members and visiting researchers and refine ideas together.

Required profile

• Currently enrolled in a PhD program in computer science, economics, mathematics, the social sciences or a related field; exceptional master's and undergraduate students will also be considered.
• Passion for decentralized systems and enough foundational knowledge to get started immediately.
• Clear communicator who can explain complex ideas simply, with a clear research vision.
• Collaborative, self-motivated and adaptable to a fast-paced environment.

What we offer

• Anticipated pay of $4,500 per week plus a $500 per week housing stipend or corporate housing, which may vary with experience and scope.
• A small team of engineers and researchers (90% of the team) and a culture of collaboration and high-quality output.
• Access to the open-source core software on GitHub and resources for growth as the company scales.
• Visa and work authorization support considered on a case-by-case basis.

Applications, including a resume and optional letters of recommendation, are due by December 7, 2026. The internship can be extended into part-time employment depending on availability and project needs.