Research Lead

About Trustaige Research

Trustaige Research is the pioneering research division behind Trustaige ID, dedicated to advancing enterprise trust via independent and peer-reviewed studies in Identity, Security, Artificial Intelligence, Privacy, Governance, and Digital Trust. Our goal is to become the foremost research institution in Africa for enterprise identity and trust, impacting industry, academia, policy makers, and technology standards.

Role Overview

The Research Lead will spearhead and manage all facets of Trustaige Research, including its publications, partnerships, reputation, and research direction. Collaborating closely with the CEO & Chief Researcher, this role shapes the future of enterprise trust by uniting various stakeholders such as researchers, universities, standards organizations, tech companies, regulators, and enterprise leaders.

Key Responsibilities

• Set and oversee the research agenda covering Identity Security, AI, Cybersecurity, Privacy, Governance, Compliance, and Digital Trust.
• Build and maintain a pipeline of research publications, ensuring quality through independent peer review.
• Manage research projects from initial proposals through to publication.
• Create research outputs including frameworks, benchmark analyses, whitepapers, executive summaries, surveys, and original studies.
• Formulate and implement strategies to establish Trustaige Research as Africa’s premier enterprise trust research institution, enhancing its credibility, authority, and visibility in academic and industry circles.
• Forge lasting partnerships with universities, research institutes, technology firms, government bodies, and international entities.
• Lead collaborations involving grants, sponsorships, and fellowships, such as The Verify Fellowship supporting key enterprise trust challenges.
• Represent Trustaige Research in international standards groups like FIDO Alliance, OWASP, OpenID Foundation, and similar organizations, promoting active engagement and participation.
• Head the research program for the annual Verify Summit by defining themes, selecting speakers, reviewing submissions, coordinating peer-reviewed sessions, and liaising with contributors from both industry and academia.
• Partner with marketing to publicize research outputs, increase visibility, facilitate executive roundtables, and broaden the influence of Trustaige Research across Africa.

Candidate Requirements

• Proven experience conducting research in cybersecurity, identity, AI, cryptography, privacy, computer science, or related disciplines.
• Track record of peer-reviewed publications, technical papers, or major industry contributions.
• Collaborative experience with academic or research institutions.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Project management expertise and ability to coordinate multiple stakeholders.
• Strategic thinking combined with effective operational execution.
• Passion for institution building and advancing knowledge.

Preferred Expertise

• Familiarity with Identity and Access Management (IAM), Passwordless Authentication, Zero Trust Architecture, AI, Enterprise Security, Digital Identity, Security Standards, or related research areas.
• Experience engaging with standards organizations such as FIDO, OWASP, or the OpenID Foundation.
• Background in academic or industrial research.

Performance Goals for First Year

• Position Trustaige Research as a leading voice in enterprise trust.
• Establish a regular cadence of quality research publications.
• Build strategic partnerships with universities and research institutions.
• Increase involvement in standards communities.
• Expand The Verify Fellowship program.
• Develop the inaugural Verify Summit research agenda.

Why Join Us

This role offers an exceptional opportunity to establish one of Africa’s most ambitious research bodies in enterprise trust. If you are passionate about research, technology, and influencing the future of digital trust, we encourage your application.