Make your maths skills count for more.
Are you a maths student or graduate looking for an exciting first step in your career? Or are you in a mathematical role and ready for a change? Do you have a passion for maths and love to learn? Are you curious about how your skills could help GCHQ protect the UK? We’ve got a variety of upcoming opportunities in our Maths and Cryptography teams, from permanent roles through to two-week insight programmes and nine-week summer internships.
Our Maths and Cryptography teams at GCHQ solve an incredible range of interesting problems every day. From evaluating existing theorems and developing new ones, to using some of Europe’s most powerful computers to contribute to security projects, the work they do is fascinating, rewarding, and impactful. And you could be part of it.
We’re looking for mathematical minds to get involved in our work. And we’ve got a few opportunities on offer, depending on what you’re looking for and where you’re at in your degree.
What opportunities are there?
Maths and Cryptography Roles
Working across cryptography, cryptanalysis, network exploitation, cyber security, data science, digital signals and mathematical modelling (to name just a few areas), you’ll receive support and mentoring as you learn to become a maths and cryptography specialist. Begin an incredible career full of interesting challenges where you’ll never stop learning.
Role type: permanent roles.
Who should apply?: by September 2026, you’ll have or expect to obtain 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. If you aren’t a recent graduate, you’ll still need a 2:2 degree in a mathematical discipline, plus you’ll need to have been working recently in a role where maths is the main component.
Salary: £36,408, plus recruitment bonus of £4,738. After your first year in-post you’ll also have the opportunity to qualify for an annual Specialist Skills Payment starting at £4,738.
Maths and Cryptography Insight Programme
Join us for a two-week programme where you’ll team up with fellow attendees to gain an insight into the nature of GCHQ’s work. You’ll be introduced to a mix of technical content we use in maths and cryptography roles at GCHQ, as well as meeting current mathematicians and learning skills that are useful in the world of work.
Who should apply?: we strive to be as inclusive and representative of society as possible, however we acknowledge that individuals who identify as women and those from ethnic minority backgrounds are currently underrepresented in our teams. That’s why we offer this programme to undergraduates from these groups who’ll be in their first year or above of a mathematics degree at the start of the programme (June 2026) and have an ‘A’ in A-Level maths or equivalent.
Dates: Monday 29th June to Friday 10th July 2026 for participants from an ethnic minority background. Monday 13th July to Friday 24th July 2026 for participants who identify as women.
Attendance payment and benefits: £350 per week plus accommodation. We will also contribute towards travel expenses at the beginning and end of the internship up to a total of £250.
Maths and Cryptography Internship
During this nine-week summer internship, you’ll get involved in real operational projects that have a direct impact on our work. Working closely with, and learning from, technical experts, you’ll complete research on multiple technical projects, grow your skills and confidence, and get an idea of what a role with us could look like once you graduate.
Who should apply?: you’ll need to be studying for your undergraduate degree (Bachelors, Integrated Masters or equivalent) in mathematics, or a Joint Honours subject with mathematics as the main component. By the beginning of the internship (June 2026), you’ll have completed a minimum of two taught years of your degree (or equivalent for part-time courses). Please note that a Scottish foundation year doesn’t count towards the minimum two years of study. You’ll also be on track to receive a 2:1 by the end of your degree, and you’ll have achieved an ‘A’ in A-level maths (or equivalent).
Internship dates: Monday 29th June until Friday 28th August 2026.
Attendance payment and benefits: £5,323 over nine weeks (£30,755 pro-rata). Accommodation close to GCHQ can be provided, and the cost paid in arrears from your salary. You’ll have the option to work flexibly for most of the summer and will have 4.5 annual leave days to use throughout the internship.
When do applications open?
Applications for all these opportunities open on Monday 29th September (from 10am).
Information events
Before we open for applications, we encourage all those from an ethnic minority background and those who identify as women from any ethnic background to register their interest*, and to attend our upcoming virtual events.
*Please note that we’re confining registrations of interest to the above groups only, due to their current under-representation in our workforce.
The events are an opportunity to learn more about each opportunity and ask any questions you may have. We’ll also be running an event giving advice on how to make the most of your application.
If you register your interest and meet the eligibility criteria, you'll receive more information about the events closer to the time. For now, here are the dates and times to keep in mind.
Maths and Cryptography Roles (permanent): we’ll be running two online Insight Events on Wednesday 24th September at 13.00 and 18.00 (each event will be one hour long, and you only need to attend one).
Two-week Insight Programme: we’ll be running two online Question and Answer sessions (each will last 30 minutes, and you only need to attend one):
• Tuesday 23rd September 12.00-12.30.
• Thursday 25th September 18.00 – 18.30.
Nine-week Internship: we’ll be running two online Question and Answer sessions (each will last one hour, and you only need to attend one):
• Tuesday 23rd September 18.00-18.30.
• Thursday 25th September 11.45-12.15.
Skills and Application Advice (relevant for all opportunities): an online session providing general tips about filling out your application form and preparing for interview:
• Thursday 25th September 13:00-14:00.
I want to apply for more than one opportunity, is that ok?
Yes, absolutely. If you’re eligible for and interested in more than one opening, you’re welcome to apply for multiple opportunities. If successful, you will only be able to accept one opportunity. Also, please be aware that you’ll need to do a new application form for each role, so make sure you factor in time to do this.
Please note that a registration of interest does not constitute a job application, nor will such registration have any bearing upon the recruitment process itself. Any individuals who register their interest and who decide subsequently to apply will need to complete an application form once the window for applications has opened.
Once the application window has opened, we will welcome applications from all candidates*, regardless of their ethnic background, gender, disability and/or any other characteristic(s). All applications will be assessed solely on merit.
*Dependent on the specific eligibility requirements for each opportunity.