Founded in 2018, Nym Technologies is a Swiss-based company committed to developing advanced privacy and secure networking solutions. Originating from esteemed academic institutions such as University College London (UCL) and KU Leuven, and guided by leading researchers and industry experts in computer science and cryptography, Nym addresses the escalating challenges of online surveillance and data privacy. The company has secured significant funding from leading investors, including a $13-million Series A round led by Andreessen Horowitz (“a16z”) in November 2021. At the core sits Nym’s network (essentially a VPN/Tor on steroids). It comprises:
- Nym’s signature “mix network”, a sophisticated multi-hop network design aimed at obfuscating metadata and resisting traffic analysis;
- A fast and censorship-resistant VPN relying on modern networking standards (WireGuard / AmneziaWG) for everyday privacy;
- Anonymous access credentials relying on digital signatures and zero-knowledge proofs.
This network can be accessed via NymVPN, a (paid) VPN-like app available on 5 platforms (Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, Windows), or via dedicated SDKs. The Nym network, NymVPN and SDKs are developed with a strong emphasis on open-source principles, with the backend codebases written in Rust, and publicly available on GitHub. Nym’s codebases are regularly audited by prominent cryptographers and security audit firms.
Role overview:
As an R&D intern at Nym Technologies, you will have the opportunity to contribute to groundbreaking projects in cryptography, security, networking and more broadly in privacy-enhancing technologies. Depending on your skill set and interests, your responsibilities may include:
- Post-quantum cryptography: Support the implementation of the most relevant PQ-primitives and formats (e.g., Outfox packets) within the Nym network;
- Internet censorship-resistance: Develop and test mechanisms (e.g., domain fronting) to ensure open and unrestricted access to information across the Nym network;
- Hands-on network, apps or SDKs feature implementation: Collaborate with the Development team to design and implement new backend or frontend features across the Nym ecosystem using Rust, TypeScript, C++, SwiftUI, Kotlin, etc.
- Network performance analysis: Conduct empirical measurements to assess and enhance the performance and privacy properties of Nym’s mixnet infrastructure;
- Applied security: Assist with continuous enhancements to the security of Nym’s codebase through penetration testing, security audits, and applied cryptographic assessments;
- Business intelligence in a privacy-first context: Support the Data team in developing and implementing measurement frameworks and data pipelines aligned with Nym’s privacy-first principles, enabling data-informed business decisions while upholding user confidentiality;
- Wild card / general application: If you’re passionate about privacy, decentralization, or networking technologies and would like to explore internship opportunities at Nym, we’d love to hear from you!
Qualifications:
- Educational background: Currently pursuing or recently completed a degree in Computer Science, Data Analysis, or a related field;
- Coursework: Completed studies in areas such as cryptography, computer networking, network security, privacy-enhancing technologies, security, machine learning, software development, or data analysis;
- Programming skills: Familiarity with programming languages such as Rust, C++, or Go (for backend); TypeScript, SwiftUI or Kotlin (for frontend); knowledge of Python is also desirable. Contributions to open-source projects are a plus;
- Version control: Experience with Git and platforms like GitHub or GitLab;
- Communication: Proficiency in written and spoken English;
- Ability to work independently in a fully remote environment, with in-person meetings from time to time.
What we offer:
- Mentorship: Work alongside leading experts in the field of privacy and security, gaining hands-on experience in a dynamic and supportive environment;
- Innovative projects: Engage in projects that have a real-world impact, contributing to the development of technologies that prioritize user privacy;
- Flexible environment: Enjoy the flexibility of a 100% remote work setting, allowing you to balance your professional and personal commitments effectively (ad hoc travel to Paris, London or Neuchâtel);
- Research: Depending on the project, have the opportunity to co-author research publications for submission to leading academic or industry conferences (e.g., USENIX, NDSS, PETS);
- Fair compensation.
