Maths and Cryptography Roles Ref. 2643

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Maths & Cryptography
Cheltenham
£30,831 - £37,639 dependent on skills and experience.; plus recruitment bonus of £4,250

About Us

We’re GCHQ, and we unlock the complex world of communications to make a real difference to the safety of the nation. Alongside our partners in the UK’s Intelligence Services, we safeguard Britain’s people, interests, and businesses from threats such as serious organised crime, people, and drugs trafficking, terrorism, and cyber-attacks. 

Our work is complex, unique and ever-changing – and it’s informed by the amazing work of our Mathematics and Cryptography teams. In this exciting role, we’ll train you to use your mathematical thinking to tackle varied, complex and vital problems. And the solutions you find? They’ll help to protect the UK.

The Role    

Working across cryptography, cryptanalysis, network exploitation, cyber security, data science, machine learning and mathematical modelling (to name just a few areas), you’ll receive support and mentoring as we train you to become a maths and cryptography specialist.

Collaborating with colleagues in multi-skilled teams, you’ll help solve an incredible range of interesting problems. In a typical day you might evaluate an existing theorem, or develop a new one. Use some of Europe’s most powerful computers to deliver world-class input on vital security projects. Apply your analytical skills to a broad range of mathematical approaches including algebra, probability, number theory, statistics and optimisation. And complete projects which influence some truly key decisions made by government agencies.

With expert training and development opportunities, you’ll be working as a specialist in no time, producing innovative and one-of-a-kind work which has meaningful purpose. And because of what we do and who we are, our methods and practices are constantly changing so they stay cutting-edge – which means your learning and growth won’t ever stop. This is a role with so much potential, and it could be just the beginning of your career at GCHQ.

About You

To reflect the developing challenges we face, you’ll need a background in maths, computer science or any other subject with substantial mathematical content. You should have, or expect to obtain shortly, at least a 2:2 undergraduate degree (or equivalent qualification) in a mathematical discipline, including (but not limited to) mathematics, computer science, statistics, or physics. 

You’ll also love solving problems, be adept at juggling competing demands and have an ability to easily adapt to new circumstances. Your intellectual curiosity means you’re excited by the chance to train in specialist areas. And you’ll be motivated by the challenge of learning new things at a fast pace, while being supported by your colleagues and mentors to do so. It’s also great if you have an interest in technology, or experience in programming – but this isn’t essential, and we’ll train you in everything you need to know.

If you’ve obtained or are in the final stages of completing a doctorate, or if you have equivalent experience, we’ll consider you for a position at a higher grade. But please note there are limited opportunities available at the higher salary, and most successful candidates will be offered at £30,831.

Training and Development

At GCHQ we’re proud of our inclusive and supportive working environment. As an organisation that values and nurtures talent, we’re committed to helping you fulfil your potential. You’re not expected to come to us with a wealth of knowledge, or skills, on day one. With comprehensive training and development opportunities, tailored to your personal needs and the requirements of your work, we’ll enable you to flourish in your role and perform to the very best of your abilities.

As a new starter, you’ll join the Mathematics Development Program (MDP) which provides substantial internal training, covering both mathematical and technological topics. In addition to the training, your cohort will learn about other roles in the mathematical community from other people in the MDP. We’ll also ensure you’re assigned a mentor when you start.

Additionally, there are opportunities to attend further career training, and you’ll always be encouraged to learn new things and develop yourself in your role. Throughout your career you’ll have the opportunity to move between roles, enabling you to either broaden your experience or to further develop specialism in a particular area.

Rewards and Benefits

In addition to your salary, you’ll also receive a number of benefits including:

•    A recruitment bonus of £4,250 when you start
•    25 days’ annual leave automatically rising to 30 days after 5 years' service, and an additional 10.5 days of public and privilege holidays
•    Opportunities to be recognised through our employee performance scheme
•    Opportunities to work flexibly, subject to business needs
•    Excellent pension scheme
•    Cycle to work scheme
•    Facilities such as a subsidised gym and restaurant, and on-site coffee bars
•    Paid parental and adoption

Culture and Working Environment 

As part of our team, you’ll discover an inclusive workplace that’s welcoming, supportive and encouraging. You’ll be part of an organisation where people want to support one another and make a difference. Aside from fostering an open culture, we’ve got a range of growing affinity groups. For example:  
 
•    Ethnic Minority and gender equality networks
•    Groups supporting wellbeing, mental health, neurodiversity, and disability and long-term health conditions
•    Faith/No Faith communities for staff to come together 
•    LGBTQ+ support networks

You’ll also find a variety of sports, activity, interest, and social groups to help you settle in and connect with people with similar interests. 

Before You Apply

To work at GCHQ, you need to be a British citizen. We do have a strict drugs policy, so once you start your application, you can’t take any recreational drugs and you’ll need to declare your previous drug usage at the relevant stage.

Honesty and integrity are really important if you want to work at GCHQ. Take some time to read about the vetting process and make sure you meet the criteria in the vetting pages of the ‘How to Apply’ section. The process can take some time, but this is just because it’s thorough. Giving misleading information and omitting or concealing information during the recruitment and vetting process is viewed very seriously.

The role is based in Cheltenham, so you’ll need to live within a commutable distance. Please consider any financial implications and practicalities before applying.

Please note, you should only launch your application from within the UK. If you are based overseas, you should wait until you visit the UK to launch an application. Applying from outside the UK will impact on our ability to progress your application.


Equal Opportunities

At GCHQ, diversity and inclusion are critical to our mission. To protect the UK, we need a truly diverse workforce that reflects the society we serve. This includes diversity in every sense of the word: those with different backgrounds, ages, ethnicities, gender identities, sexual orientations, ways of thinking and those with disabilities or neurodivergent conditions. We therefore welcome and encourage applications from everyone, including those from groups that are under-represented in our workforce such as women, those from an ethnic minority background, people with disabilities and those from low socio-economic backgrounds. 


Find out more about our culture, working environment and diversity on our website by clicking here

We’re Disability Confident

GCHQ are proud to have achieved Leader status within the DWP’s Disability Confident scheme. This is aimed at encouraging employers to think differently about disability and take action to improve how they recruit, retain and develop disabled people. Being Disability Confident, we aim to ensure that a fair and proportionate number of disabled applicants that meet the minimum criteria for this position will be offered an interview where practicable; this is known as ‘Offer of an Interview’. To secure an interview for this vacancy, the minimum criteria (in order of application process) are:
 
•    To hold, or expect to obtain, a 2:2 undergraduate degree in a mathematical discipline


Eligibility Criteria 

To be eligible to apply, you must be a British Citizen. If you hold dual nationality, of which one component is British, you will nonetheless be considered (to find out more, please click here). Candidates must normally have been resident in the UK for seven out of the last ten years. This is particularly important if you were born outside the UK.

You can apply at the age of 17 years, if successful you will not be offered a start date prior to your 18th birthday. Discretion is vital. You should not discuss your application, other than with your partner or a close family member. Please note, you should only launch your application from within the UK. If you are based overseas, you should wait until you visit the UK to launch an application. Applying from outside of the UK will impact on our ability to progress your application. Further information on our eligibility criteria can be found on the Applying section.

What to Expect

Our recruitment process is fair, transparent, and based on merit. Here is a brief overview of each stage, in order:

1. Application sift 
2. Mathematics Presentation followed by a short panel interview
3. Assessment Centre, comprising of: 

•    Mathematics test 
•    Group exercise 
•    Individual exercises 
•    Panel interview 
•    Drugs test (this will happen at a later stage if you are successful at interview)

Please note, you must successfully pass each stage of the process to progress to the next. Your application may take around 6 - 9 months to process including vetting, so we advise you continue any current employment until you have received your final job offer.

Our Vetting

To work in this role, you will need the highest security clearance, known as Developed Vetting (DV). It’s something everyone in the UK Intelligence Community must go through and it can take some time. As part of the DV process you will be asked to fill in a detailed questionnaire and attend an interview with a vetting officer. In your interview the vetting officer will have a thorough, compassionate, and honest discussion with you about you as a person and your life experiences, to ensure holding a DV clearance is right for you. You don’t need to do any preparation for your vetting interview, just be honest and be yourself. All applicants for DV are treated impartially and consistently, irrespective of gender, race, disability, religion, age, sexual orientation, and other protected characteristics. 

Right to Withdraw Statement

Please be aware that we withhold the right to bring forward the closing date for this role from the original closing date once a certain number of applications have been received. Please be mindful of this and submit your application at your earliest convenience to avoid disappointment. 



This Program / Vacancy is closed to applications.