Database Research Scientist

clickhouseUnited StatesEngineering

Apply on company site

Opens the official clickhouse careers page

Salary

$175K – $235K

Job type

Full-time

Work mode

Remote

Experience

Senior

Posted

2 Oct 2026

Status

Open · checked 7d ago

About this role

ClickHouse is hiring a Database Research Scientist in the United States for a full-time remote position suited for professionals with advanced degrees and expertise in database systems. This role involves tackling challenging database architecture and optimization problems while collaborating with engineering teams.

Role Overview

ClickHouse Labs seeks a Database Research Scientist to join its applied research group. The professional in this position will investigate performance bottlenecks, design new algorithms, and translate research ideas into practical improvements for open-source database systems like ClickHouse and PostgreSQL. The role centers on database systems, distributed systems, AI, and systems software engineering.

Key Responsibilities

Conduct applied research to enhance the performance, scalability, reliability, and functionality of open-source database management systems.

Design and evaluate new algorithms, data structures, and system architectures for query optimization, storage management, indexing, and distributed data management.

Build research prototypes and production-grade implementations, integrating successful techniques into open-source platforms.

Analyze large-scale workloads, production telemetry, and benchmarks to identify optimization opportunities.

Design rigorous experiments to test techniques across realistic hardware configurations and workloads.

Communicate findings through technical reports, open-source contributions, internal presentations, and publications at leading venues.

Requirements

Hold a Master's or Ph.D. degree in Computer Science, Data Science, or a related field with research experience in databases, distributed systems, systems software, or machine learning systems.

Demonstrate a strong publication record in peer-reviewed research venues such as SIGMOD, VLDB, SOSP, OSDI, NSDI, or NeurIPS.

Possess a strong programming and systems-development background working with database internals or large systems codebases.

Show proficiency in systems programming using C, C++, Rust, Zig, or a comparable low-level programming language.

Exhibit analytical, experimental, problem-solving, and technical communication skills.

Nice to Have

Experience developing or operating database systems in cloud environments like AWS, Google Cloud Platform, or Microsoft Azure.

Familiarity with large language models, reinforcement learning, learned optimization, or machine learning and systems intersection techniques.

Experience contributing to open-source database engines, distributed systems, compilers, or storage systems.

Familiarity with systems-development and verification tooling including TLA+/PlusCal, Alloy, Lean, LLVM, eBPF, Python, Go, and advanced profiling frameworks.

Track record in optimizing database systems using hardware acceleration such as GPU, FPGA, or CXL with CUDA, SYCL, or ROCm.

Skills and Tools

C, C++, Rust, Zig, Python, Go

ClickHouse, PostgreSQL, MySQL

AWS, Google Cloud Platform, Microsoft Azure

TLA+, Alloy, Lean, LLVM, eBPF

CUDA, SYCL, ROCm

Salary and Benefits

Salary range between $175K and $235K with multiple ranges

Equity offers and stock options for every new team member

Employer contributions toward healthcare

Flexible time off in the US and generous entitlement elsewhere

USD $500 home office setup allowance for remote employees

Opportunities to attend global company-wide offsites and gatherings

About the Company

ClickHouse operates a globally distributed applied research group named ClickHouse Labs that works closely with engineering teams to advance database system technology. The organization has team members operating in over 25 countries and fosters a flexible remote work environment.

How to Apply

Candidates should apply directly on the official company careers page.

Skills and tech stack

C C++Rust Zig Python Go ClickHouse PostgreSQL MySQL AWS Google Cloud Platform Microsoft Azure TLA+Alloy Lean LLVM eBPF CUDA SYCL ROCm Azure Reinforcement Learning Machine Learning Distributed Systems

Questions candidates ask

What is the salary range for the Database Research Scientist role?

The salary ranges from $175K to $235K, and the position includes equity offers.

Where is the job located?

The position is based in the United States and operates within a flexible, remote-friendly work environment.

What educational background is required?

A Master's or Ph.D. in Computer Science, Data Science, or a related field is required.

What programming languages are expected?

Proficiency in systems programming using C, C++, Rust, Zig, or a comparable low-level programming language is required.

What perks are provided to employees?

Perks include healthcare contributions, company equity, flexible time off, a $500 home office setup allowance for remote employees, and global company gatherings.

Ready to apply?

The application is on the official clickhouse careers page.

Apply on company site