Staff Data Scientist

Chainalysis; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 110,000 - 165,000; Full time

Job summary

Chainalysis in London seeks a Staff Data Scientist to lead cross-functional data-science work across UTXO and EVM blockchains. You will design novel analytical methods, build scalable models, and deliver production-ready components that power Chainalysis products globally.

You will mentor colleagues, drive architectural decisions, and collaborate with Research, Product, and Engineering to move ideas from prototype to reliable systems. Strong Python/SQL and ML expertise are essential.

Qualifications

• Advanced degree or equivalent in a quantitative field with strong research background.
• Proven track record applying ML/statistical methods to large datasets.
• Experience delivering production-grade data-science solutions.

Responsibilities

• Own multiple production DS projects from problem to delivery.
• Develop and validate analytical methods, models, and algorithms across blockchain data.
• Stay current on advances in data science and blockchain analysis.

Skills

Python

SQL

Statistics

Machine Learning

Graph Algorithms

Education

PhD or equivalent

Tools

Databricks

Dbt

Spark

Terraform

AWS

Postgres

Job description

Chainalysis is inspired by solving the hardest technical challenges and creating products that build trust in cryptocurrencies. We're a global organization who thrive on the challenging work we do and doing it with other exceptionally talented teammates. Our industry changes constantly, and our job is to create user-facing products supported by our best-in-class data, allowing us to adapt to those rapid changes and bring maximal value to our customers.

We're looking for a Staff Data Scientist to join our Research and Intelligence organisation in London. You'll work across flexible, cross-functional squads within the Data Science team, leading analytical, statistical, and machine-learning work across both UTXO and EVM blockchains. The team develops behavioural heuristics, graph algorithms, statistical models, and machine-learning techniques that power some of the most advanced blockchain analysis in the industry. Much of the work is state of the art and ahead of academia; your work will shape the data that fuels Chainalysis products and customers globally.

This role is ideal for someone energised by deeply technical, ambiguous problems at the intersection of statistics, machine learning, algorithms, and large-scale on-chain analysis—and who wants to own multiple projects and systems end to end, shape technical direction, and deliver company-level impact.

In this role, you’ll:

• Own and prioritise multiple concurrent production data-science projects or systems, translating broad problem statements into actionable work, managing evolving requirements, and delivering measurable outcomes.
• Design, develop, and validate novel analytical methods, statistical models, behavioural heuristics, and algorithms across UTXO, EVM, and other blockchain data to attribute on-chain activity and uncover customer-relevant insights.
• Stay current on advances in data science and blockchain analysis; evaluate and pilot techniques such as graph computation, statistical modelling, and machine learning on large-scale on-chain datasets.
• Identify and resolve inefficiencies in code, methodology, and workflows; make architectural decisions; define and track quality metrics; understand upstream and downstream dependencies; and balance long-term system health and technical debt against new delivery.
• Drive cross-functional alignment by clearly articulating and defending methodology and results, challenging assumptions when warranted, and building consensus as requirements evolve.
• Mentor team members across levels within your domain, support onboarding, contribute to technical hiring, and share knowledge through documentation and presentations.
• Collaborate across Research, Global Intelligence, Product, and Engineering to move research from prototype to dependable production systems and create tools or platforms that multiply team output.

We’re looking for candidates who have:

• Deep expertise in statistics, machine learning, computer science, physics, mathematics, or another quantitative discipline, demonstrated through advanced industry or research work.
• Expert-level proficiency in Python and SQL, with a track record of writing clean, testable, production-quality code.
• Demonstrated experience applying advanced analytical techniques (e.g. graph algorithms, ML, statistical inference) to large, messy datasets.
• Demonstrated ability to learn unfamiliar technical domains and data models quickly; prior blockchain experience is welcome but not required.
• A demonstrated ability to own and prioritise multiple concurrent projects or systems, make sound architectural and methodological decisions, and drive cross-functional stakeholders toward delivery.
• An analytical, open-minded approach to problem solving – comfortable navigating ambiguity and willing to dive into problems outside your day-to-day scope.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to explain complex methodology to diverse audiences, mentor technical practitioners, and share knowledge across a team.

Nice to have:

• A PhD or equivalent research training in a quantitative field, and/or familiarity with Databricks, dbt, Spark/PySpark, or similar large-scale data platforms.
• Experience modifying infrastructure-as-code (e.g. Terraform) or contributing to production data pipelines.
• Experience building shared tools or platforms that multiply team output and onboarding others onto them.
• Experience with UTXO, EVM, or other blockchain data, graph computation, and/or the cryptocurrency ecosystem.

Technologies we use:

• Python
• SQL
• Databricks
• Dbt
• PySpark / Spark
• Terraform
• AWS
• Postgres

AI at Chainalysis

AI is not a feature at Chainalysis - it is a new way of working. One that turns instructions into work done, and helps us move faster than the threats we're built to counter, and we expect our employees to take ownership of the output and ensure quality. As the world's most trusted blockchain analytics platform, Chainalysis sits at a rare intersection of proprietary data, regulatory relationships and crypto expertise that makes it uniquely placed to shape and lead the next era of AI-driven intelligence - and we expect everyone here, regardless of role, to be an active part of it.

AI fluency is tied directly to how we measure performance and how we plan to win. There is no substitute for your own curiosity. We provide the tools, workflows, and space to experiment - but the expectation is that you develop these capabilities yourself, bring ideas, and collaborate across teams to reinvent the way work gets done. We are not using AI to do less. We are using it to do what was never possible before.

About Chainalysis

Chainalysis is the blockchain data platform, making it easy to connect the movement of digital assets to real-world services. Powered by deep blockchain data and AI, organizations can investigate illicit activity, manage risk exposure, and develop innovative market solutions built on the industry's most trusted blockchain intelligence. Our mission is to build trust in blockchains, blending safety and security with an unwavering commitment to growth and innovation.

You belong here.

At Chainalysis, we believe that diversity of experience and thought makes us stronger. With both customers and employees around the world, we are committed to ensuring our team reflects the unique communities around us. We’re ensuring we keep learning by committing to continually revisit and reevaluate our diversity culture.

We encourage applicants across any race, ethnicity, gender/gender expression, age, spirituality, ability, experience and more. If you need any accommodations to make our interview process more accessible to you due to a disability, don't hesitate to let us know. You can learn more here. We can’t wait to meet you.