Head of Research
colliersinternationalemea
Head of Research
hopae· Engineering
About this role
🌍 About Hopae
At Hopae, we're building the world's most trusted digital identity platform — private, secure, and built for real life. We believe identity should be in your control — not locked behind outdated systems or centralized gatekeepers.
Our product, Hopae Connect, lets businesses verify real people across borders through a single API — no need to build country-by-country integrations themselves. Our technology powers instant, privacy-first verification across fintech, credentials, supply chain, and gaming — for IDV providers, e-signature platforms, and enterprises who need identity to just work, everywhere.
Backed by top global investors, Hopae operates across Seoul, Paris, Luxembourg, and San Francisco, bringing together exceptional talent from over 10 nationalities. We move fast, think globally, and build products that define the future of identity.
💡 Why You’ll Love It Here
Global DNA: Work with exceptional peers across Seoul, Paris, and San Francisco
High Impact: Build technology shaping the global trust and identity landscape
Ownership Culture: No micromanagement — full trust, full accountability
Elite Standards: Work fast, learn fast, and grow with world-class peers
Inclusive & Respectful: 10+ nationalities, diverse perspectives, one vision
Growth Mindset: Access mentorship, leadership visibility, and continuous learning
🎯 What You Will Do
Digital identity is one of the most complex, fragmented, and consequential infrastructure problems in the world. As Head of Research at Hopae, you lead the team exploring what comes next — from government eID systems to hardware-based, in-person identification — and you translate that exploration into products and partnerships that matter.
This is a leadership role with real scope. You'll set the research agenda, grow and lead a team, and sit at the intersection of technology, regulation, and product.
Define and own Hopae's research roadmap across two tracks: eID and government identity systems globally, and hardware-based in-person identification solutions
Lead, grow, and mentor a team of researchers — setting standards, creating focus, and building a culture of rigorous, outcome-oriented inquiry
Translate research findings into actionable product direction — working closely with Engineering, Product, and Legal to move from insight to implementation
Monitor the global identity landscape — standards bodies, regulatory developments, emerging technologies, and competitive dynamics — and keep Hopae ahead of the curve
Represent Hopae externally in relevant industry forums, working groups, and standards organizations (including OpenWallet Foundation and eID authorities)
Partner with Business Development to turn research assets into commercial opportunities — positioning Hopae's expertise as a competitive differentiator
🧠 Who You Are
8+ years of experience in identity, digital trust, cryptography, or a closely related technical domain — with at least 3 years in a research leadership or team lead capacity
Deep knowledge of eID ecosystems — government identity programs, standards (W3C, ISO, ETSI), and regulatory frameworks across multiple jurisdictions
Hands-on experience or strong familiarity with hardware-based identification technologies — NFC, biometrics, secure elements, or related domains
A builder and a leader — you set the research direction, develop your team, and drive work from hypothesis to real-world applicability
Comfortable operating at the frontier — where requirements are unclear, precedents are few, and the ability to create structure from ambiguity is essential
Strong external presence — you've engaged with standards bodies, published research, or represented an organization in industry forums
Based in Luxembourg; fluent in English — additional European languages are a plus
⚡️ Fast Facts
💰 $13.5M+ raised from top global investors
📦 2.6M+ downloads of our sd-jwt-js library
🌍 10+ nationalities across 3 hubs
🔬 82 eID research projects completed
🌐 3 projects accepted into the OpenWallet Foundation
🎁 Benefits & Culture
Unlimited PTO
Remote-friendly work model
Real ownership from Day 1
High-impact, global product
Multicultural, respectful team
🧭 Interview Process
Recruiter Intro Call (30 min) – Get to know Hopae
Functional or Technical Interview (45 min) – Dive into your skills
Culture Fit Conversation (45 min) – Collaboration & alignment
Offer 🎉
Note: The process may vary slightly depending on the role.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the salary disclosed for the Head of Research position at hopae?
The salary for this Head of Research role at hopae is not publicly listed. Click "Apply Now" to learn more about the compensation package on their official careers page.
Where is the Head of Research position at hopae located?
This Head of Research role at hopae is based in Luxembourg. The position is listed as on-site or hybrid. Check the full job description or apply directly to confirm the work arrangement.
Is the Head of Research role at hopae full-time or part-time?
This is listed as a FullTime position. It is posted as a Head of Research role in the Engineering department at hopae.
Which team or department does the Head of Research at hopae belong to?
This Head of Research position is part of the Engineering department at hopae. See the full job description for more information about the team structure and responsibilities.
How do I apply for the Head of Research position at hopae?
Click the "Apply Now" button on this page. You will be redirected to hopae's official application portal hosted on ashby where you can submit your application directly.
When was the Head of Research job at hopae posted?
This Head of Research position at hopae was posted on Jun 25, 2026. Apply as soon as possible — early applications are often reviewed first.
Head of Research
hopae
You'll be redirected to hopae's official application page on Ashby ATS.