Designer

About the Privacy and Scaling Explorations Research Group
We are a cutting-edge technological research group exploring cryptographic and scaling solutions built on Ethereum. Our mission is to build the cryptographic primitives that will form the bedrock of a rich and vibrant ecosystem of decentralized applications (dapps), built on Ethereum. We do this through pure research, creating proofs of concept, and facilitating the integration of technological primitives into decentralized applications. 

The Mission
Our design team is responsible for translating cryptographic primitives into usable interfaces for real-world use cases. You will collaborate directly with engineers and designers to iteratively design research-based, proof-of-concept prototypes. As a PSE designer, it will be your mission to make the team’s research tangible and accessible to other builders so that they can learn about and use PSE’s open-source tools.

Core Responsibilities:

Enhance usability by creating refined UIs

 
Create and iterate upon low and high-fidelity wireframes
 
Design user flows, layouts, logos, and icons
 
Design or source illustrations and animations
 
Review your designs weekly with colleagues


Own your role as a researcher and designer

 
Deliver production-ready design assets and follow the work through implementation, release, and post-release to measure success and learn with your cross-functional team.
 
Be an active team member by proposing new ideas, sharing your work early and often, and giving constructive feedback as we grow together, as a team.
 
Run evaluative usability tests of design prototypes to surface insights for iteration.
 
Advocate for and incorporate best practices for inclusive design to reach a wider audience.


Turn conceptual ideas into realistic product designs that address scaling goals

 
Collaboratively iterate and test designs for complex ideas. Create metrics for your team to monitor the approachability and accessibility of interfaces, user flows, and site copy.
 
Help the team build trust among users by producing contemporary and functional designs.
 
Drive interest in our research projects through engaging visuals.


About You 

 
You are passionate about education and accessibility. Accessible design principles are something you continuously strive to understand and apply to your work.
 
You are skilled at communicating on a remote, global team. We are a diverse team of collaborators from many different countries. You are comfortable exploring both synchronistic and a-synchronistic methods of communication.
 
You are resourceful. Our research projects are exploring new technology. You possess patience in ambiguity, ask questions, and seek clarity by drawing connections to indirect products and concepts.
 
You work well both independently and with others. No matter who you are working with, you are curious about their needs and goals within the scope of the project. You welcome feedback and take the time to understand the perspectives of your teammates.
 
You take a systematic approach to design. You ideate and test ways to improve team workflows and production quality.
 
You have a range of design skills. Production can include anything from browser interfaces, landing pages, logos, icons, and design system development.
 
Your values align with the Ethereum ecosystem. Even if you are new to the space, you are interested in open-source collaboration and decentralized systems. You value privacy as a public good and are curious to learn more about the team’s research.


Required Skills and Experience 

 
Expertise with design tools including Figma.
 
Strong communication, storytelling, and documentation skills.
 
Experience working closely with developers.
 
Experience in solving complex user problems through user interface design, creating mock-ups, prototypes (low- and high-fidelity), and user scenarios for reviewing and testing designs.
 
Portfolio of previous work including UI designs and sketches that demonstrate an understanding of an iterative and research-based design process + best practices.


Contract Details 

 
Opportunity to write a 3-month grant proposal with potential for hire
 
Team members decide their own working hours and are expected to balance collaboration with colleagues and asynchronous work time
 
Fully remote team


Why is this not an opening for immediate full-time hire?

 
Everyone is expected to be a proactive contributor who seeks out opportunities for involvement. Working on a 3-month grant is a way for you to experience PSE’s unique work environment and decide if it is right for you.


To apply for this position, please include the following:

*Cover Letter
Please state your qualifications and why you are interested in the role in 300 words or less

*Your resume or CV

*A link to your portfolio