Research Scientist Graduate (Distributed NoSQL Database Systems) - 2027 Start (PhD)

Join ByteDance’s database development team, where you’ll build and own cutting-edge database products supporting Bytedance’s global infrastructure. Our diverse portfolio includes relational databases, distributed caches, key-value stores, document databases, graph databases, wide-column stores, search engines, and multi-model databases. In this role, you’ll have the opportunity to enhance these services in a cloud-native environment, embracing a culture of intellectual curiosity, self-direction, and problem-solving. Successful candidates must be able to commit to an onboarding date by the end of the year.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop distributed NoSQL databases, with a focus on one of the following: distributed caches, key-value stores, document databases, graph databases, wide-column stores, search engines, or multi-model databases.
• Build high-performance, low-latency, and highly available distributed systems to support mission-critical business operations with scalability and cost efficiency.
• Optimize compute and storage engines for cloud-native global deployments, improving efficiency and reducing operational costs.
• Provide technical guidance to internal business teams, identifying opportunities for system optimization to improve stability, functionality, and performance.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to develop robust database products and solutions.
• Address technical challenges in cloud service architectures, ensuring scalable solutions for large-scale, high-traffic systems.

Requirements

• Individuals who are completing or have recently completed a PhD degree in Computer Science or related discipline with strong database systems or AI research experience.
• Proficiency in one or more programming languages (C, C++, Java, Go, Python, Rust) with strong coding skills in a Linux environment.
• Deep understanding of database principles, distributed system design, and multi-threaded programming, with hands-on experience in distributed storage and computing technologies.
• Strong knowledge of distributed consensus algorithms, with experience in database kernel development.
• Practical experience with large-scale cloud-native architectures and distributed system control platforms.

Preferred Qualifications

• Publications at conferences (e.g., SIGMOD, VLDB, NeurIPS, MLSys, ICDE).
• Familiarity with popular database systems and source code such as RocksDB, Redis, MongoDB, HBase, TiDB, Neo4j, Elasticsearch, JanusGraph, YugabyteDB, or CockroachDB.

Pay

The base salary range for this position is $153,900 - $300,960 annually. Compensation may vary outside of this range depending on a number of factors, including a candidate’s qualifications, skills, competencies and experience, and location. Base pay is one part of the Total Package that is provided to compensate and recognize employees for their work, and this role may be eligible for additional discretionary bonuses/incentives, and restricted stock units.

Benefits

• Day one access to medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• 401(k) savings plan with company match.
• Paid parental leave.
• Short-term and long-term disability coverage.
• Life insurance.
• Wellbeing benefits.
• 10 paid holidays per year.
• 10 paid sick days per year.
• 17 days of Paid Personal Time (prorated upon hire with increasing accruals by tenure).