As the world's leader in digital payments technology, Visa's mission is to connect the world through the most creative, reliable and secure payment network - enabling individuals, businesses, and economies to thrive. Our advanced global processing network, VisaNet, provides secure and reliable payments around the world, and is capable of handling more than 65,000 transaction messages a second. The company's dedication to innovation drives the rapid growth of connected commerce on any device, and fuels the dream of a cashless future for everyone, everywhere. As the world moves from analog to digital, Visa is applying our brand, products, people, network and scale to reshape the future of commerce.

At Visa, your individuality fits right in. Working here gives you an opportunity to impact the world, invest in your career growth, and be part of an inclusive and diverse workplace. We are a global team of disruptors, trailblazers, innovators and risk-takers who are helping drive economic growth in even the most remote parts of the world, creatively moving the industry forward, and doing meaningful work that brings financial literacy and digital commerce to millions of unbanked and underserved consumers.

You're an Individual. We're the team for you. Together, let's transform the way the world pays.

Visa Research: Visa Research is a team of world-class research scientists. Our mission is to conduct applied research on the most challenging problems in the payment industry and provides technical thought leadership for the company’s future. Visa Research engages with internal and external partners to identify and research critical ideas and issues that may have an impact to the payment’s ecosystem.  Our research agenda focuses on three key areas: Artificial Intelligence, Security, and Future of Payments.

As a Research Scientist intern you will work with a team to conduct world-class security research and contribute to the long-term research agenda for digital payments, as well as deliver innovative technologies and insights to Visa's strategic products and business. As an integral team member of the extended Research team, you will work on research and development activities with fellow researchers, and work closely with product and technology teams to ensure the successful creation and application of disruptive and innovative security technologies.

This role represents an exciting opportunity to make key contributions to Visa's strategic vision as the world-leading digital payments company. The successful candidate must have an outstanding academic track record in fundamental and applied research with participation in developing innovations. The candidate will be a self-starter comfortable with ambiguity, with strong attention to detail, and excellent collaboration skills.

Job duties and projects could include:

• Research and develop cutting-edge cryptographic, security, and/or blockchain technologies across a large spectrum of applications concerned with secure payments, and data protection
• Deliver high-impact intellectual property values through research publications and patents
• Collaborate with team members to deliver innovative technologies, insights and products to Visa business units to resolve their significant product pain-points and create new growth opportunities
• Work with team members and cross-functional teams (internal/external) that include representation from Technology, Product, Operations, Market Research, etc.

Past intern projects have included:

• Post-quantum security of OT extension protocols
• Incorporating Offline Payment Channels in the Central Bank Digital Currency System with Strong Security Guarantees
• Privacy-Preserving Machine Learning
• Multi-Party Computation

Basic Qualifications

• Pursuing a PhD in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, CIS/MIS, Data Science, Cybersecurity, Business or a related field, graduating December 2022 or later
• Minimum GPA of 3.0 out of 4.0 (or equivalent scale)
• Strong communications skills, specifically, the absence of repeated grammatical or typographical errors, clear and concise written and spoken communications, and communications that demonstrate professional judgment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Research experience in one or more research areas related to systems security, cryptography, and blockchain.
• Strong track record in research publications and impact in the research community.
• Strong ability to collaborate
• Highly driven, resourceful and results oriented
• Good team player and excellent interpersonal skills
• Good analytical and problem-solving skills
• Demonstrated ability to lead and navigate through ambiguity

Work Hours: Varies upon the needs of the department

Travel Requirements: This position requires travel 5-10% of the time.

Mental/Physical Requirements: This position will be performed in an office setting.  The position will require the incumbent to sit and stand at a desk, communicate in person and by telephone, frequently operate standard office equipment, such as telephones and computers.

Visa is an EEO Employer.  Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or protected veteran status.  Visa will also consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with EEOC guidelines and applicable local law.

Visa will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with applicable local law, including the requirements of Article 49 of the San Francisco Police Code.