Staff Data Scientist
At a glance
Senior Data Science role at Chainalysis. London · full-time · no salary stated · we estimate £105,000–£112,500.
Chainalysis has not published a salary for this role. The figure below is our estimate, not theirs.
dataroles summary, based on the employer's posting.
What you'll do
- Run several production data-science projects at once, turning broad questions and changing needs into deliverable work
- Build and test methods, models, heuristics and algorithms to identify on-chain activity across UTXO, EVM and other blockchain data
- Assess new graph, statistical and machine-learning approaches on large on-chain datasets, then pilot useful techniques
- Set technical direction for code and systems, track quality, and weigh system upkeep against new delivery
- Explain and defend findings across teams, mentor colleagues, and help move research into reliable production tools
What you bring
- Advanced expertise in a quantitative field, shown through substantial industry or research work
- Expert command of Python and SQL, with experience producing clean, testable code for production
- A record of using advanced analytics, such as graph methods or statistical inference, on large, messy datasets
- You can take ownership of concurrent projects, make sound technical decisions and guide cross-functional partners toward delivery
Who this fits
This senior role suits someone who can navigate ambiguous technical problems, learn unfamiliar data models quickly, and mentor technical teammates. It is based in London and listed as hybrid; the work spans UTXO and EVM blockchain analysis, though prior blockchain experience is not required.
From the employer
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.