Security Research Lead

Role overview

This opportunity is for a Security Research Lead in Ireland, working for a partner organization that oversees the application and hiring process. The role sits in a fast-moving, remote-first environment and focuses on building a security research capability that directly supports AI-driven products and threat intelligence initiatives. It blends deep technical research, team leadership, and strategic influence across cloud and application security.

You will partner with engineering, AI/ML, and product teams to convert advanced vulnerability research into practical product improvements. The position also calls for helping strengthen the company’s technical reputation in the wider security community through high-quality research and public-facing thought leadership.

What you will do

• Set the direction for the security research practice by creating the methods, standards, and operating practices used to identify, validate, and rank cloud and application security threats.
• Carry out advanced vulnerability analysis, including exploitation paths, attack techniques, and new threat patterns, to improve the product’s security capabilities.
• Work side by side with engineering, product, and AI/ML teams to turn findings into features that improve detection, prioritization, and remediation.
• Produce detailed technical intelligence through security research backed by CVEs, advisories, threat intelligence sources, and hands-on vulnerability analysis.
• Help shape how AI systems interpret and prioritize security risks by contributing research insights, labels, and validation workflows.
• Create authoritative technical content such as research papers, blog articles, conference talks, podcasts, and other thought leadership outputs.
• Put quality controls in place for vulnerability research and keep improving the research process and framework.
• Coach and develop researchers while building a collaborative, high-performance team that can grow with the business.

Requirements

• At least 6 years of practical experience in security research, with a strong record of finding vulnerabilities, building proof-of-concepts, and validating threats.
• Strong depth in cloud security, especially AWS, along with application security weaknesses and exploitation methods.
• Proven ability to turn research into product enhancements by collaborating closely with engineering, product, and AI/ML teams.
• Solid programming or scripting ability in Python, Go, or comparable languages for automation, tooling, and proof-of-concept development.
• Demonstrated experience sharing technical research publicly, speaking at conferences, or contributing to the cybersecurity community.
• Background in a cybersecurity vendor, security research group, or security tooling business.
• Clear and effective communication skills with the ability to explain complex topics to internal teams and external technical audiences.
• Experience leading or mentoring research teams and setting technical standards in high-growth, fast-paced environments.
• Comfort working in startup-style settings that require independence, flexibility, and strong ownership.
• Experience with AI security, open-source security work, security research operations, or credentials such as OSCP, CISSP, or AWS Security are considered strong pluses.

Perks and benefits

• Fully remote role with flexibility to work from across Europe.
• Chance to establish and lead an early-stage security research function.
• High level of ownership and influence over product direction and technical strategy.
• Competitive compensation with equity participation.
• Opportunity to work with experienced leaders from high-growth technology companies.
• Exposure to advanced AI, cloud security, and cybersecurity innovation.
• Strong potential for progression into senior security leadership positions.
• Remote-first culture that values technical excellence and continuous learning.
• Support for building a public research profile through publications, conferences, and industry involvement.

Additional information

This job is posted on behalf of a partner company that manages applications and the next steps in the process. Shortlisting is handled through an AI-assisted matching workflow, and the selected candidates are then shared with the hiring company for interviews and assessments. Final hiring decisions are made by the employer.

Privacy and data use

By applying, you acknowledge that your personal data will be processed to assess your suitability and may be shared with the hiring employer. This is based on legitimate interest and pre-contractual measures under applicable data protection laws, including GDPR. You may request access, correction, deletion, or objection to processing at any time.

AI tools may be used to support parts of the hiring workflow, including application review, resume analysis, response assessment, and checks for inconsistencies or verification signals. These tools assist the recruitment team but do not replace human judgment, and final hiring decisions remain with people.