Who are we?

Input Output (IO) is a technology company focused on Blockchain research and development. We are renowned for our scientific approach to blockchain development, emphasizing peer-reviewed research and formal methods to ensure security, scalability, and sustainability. Our projects include decentralized finance (DeFi), governance, and identity management, aiming to advance the capabilities and adoption of blockchain technology globally.

What the role involves:

The internship is ideally intended for senior undergraduate/master students, PhD candidates, or early postdocs in one of the fields with relevance to blockchain systems, such as computer science, applied mathematics, cryptography, or economics. It is a perfect opportunity for an early-stage researcher to gain valuable research experience by collaborating with members of the IO Research team on current challenges in blockchain technologies.

The intern will work on an Internship Project that will be defined prior to the commencement of the internship, taking into account the intern’s scientific background and skillset, as well as the research priorities within Input Output.

The work will be done under the guidance of a supervisor, who will be one of the members of IO Research. Supervisors will contribute to defining the scope of the Internship Project, track the intern’s progress, provide guidance, and ensure that the work done is aligned with the broader research carried out at IO Research.

The duration of the internship is up to 3 months and is primarily intended to take place during summer 2026, although other time periods may be considered.

During the course of the Internship, you will have the following responsibilities:

Conducting research on the topic of the Internship Project.
Collaboration and regular meetings with the supervisor, and potentially other team members of IO Research working on topics related to the Internship Project.
Occasional meetings with members of product teams, if deemed necessary.
Writing a final report summarizing the work done and the progress achieved during the internship.

Requirements

Depending on the character of the Internship Project, some of the following might be required:

Basic knowledge of blockchain technologies and cryptocurrencies, as evidenced by relevant graduate, undergraduate or online coursework.
Previous publications in the area.
Proficiency in computer programming using a particular language or technology stack.

Your Education:

Depending on the character of the Internship Project, one of the following will be required:

B.Sc. degree in a relevant field, and enrollment to a M.Sc. program of an academic institution;
B.Sc. or M.Sc. degree in a relevant field, and enrollment in the PhD program of an academic institution;
PhD in a relevant field.

Applying

Include the following:

Your availability for an internship (preferred & alternative periods)
A cover letter describing at a minimum:

Your motivation for applying
What research areas would you like to work in (e.g.: consensus, cryptographic primitives, game theory, cryptoeconomics, …)

Location: We are primarily hiring in the UK, Ireland, Germany, Poland, Netherlands, Spain and the US, but we may consider exceptional candidates from other locations, subject to hiring feasibility.

Benefits

Opportunity to contribute to scientific results publishable at top-tier conferences
Competitive salary
Fully remote work

The closing date for applications is March 27th 2026.

At Input Output, we are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace where all individuals are valued and empowered to succeed. We welcome people of all backgrounds and ensure that employment decisions are based solely on merit, qualifications, and potential. Everyone is given equal opportunities regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Research Intern