Maths And Cryptography Roles

Job summary

Salary: £37,892 (includes £2,758 concessionary payment), plus recruitment bonus of £4,738.

The recruitment bonus is payable in two parts – half when you start and half when you complete your probationary period.

Specialist Skills Payments starting from £4,738 can be expected once you have completed your first year in post, depending on your progress and development in the role, and are subject to assessment. Skills revalidation is periodically required to retain payment.

Flexible working: full-time roles are based on a 37-hour working week, Monday to Friday. During the initial training period full-time attendance is required. Upon completion of training a range of working patterns, including flexitime, part-time and compressed hours, are available. Please note remote working/working from home opportunities are limited so you should be prepared, and able to work, 100% from the office.

About us

GCHQ is an intelligence, cyber and security agency with a mission to keep the UK safe. We use cutting-edge technology, ingenuity and partnerships to identify, analyse and disrupt threats. Working with our intelligence partners MI5 and MI6, we protect the UK from terrorism, cyber-attacks and espionage. At GCHQ you’ll do varied and fascinating work in a supportive and inclusive environment that puts the emphasis on teamwork.

Job description

The role

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 skills to tackle a variety of critical problems. And the solutions you find? They’ll help to protect the UK.

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.

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 cutting-edge technology to deliver world-class input on vital security projects; study or design a new cryptographic protocol; apply your analytical skills to a broad range of mathematical disciplines including algebra, probability, number theory, statistics and optimisation; and complete projects which influence 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.

Person specification

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 by September 2027, 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.

You’ll also love solving problems, be able to juggle competing demands and have an ability to easily adapt to new circumstances. You’ll enjoy contributing as a member of our team in a way that suits you. 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.

Benefits

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 all the relevant 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. You’ll remain part of the MDP community for the first three years of your career, allowing you to build a strong peer support network. We’ll also ensure you’re assigned a mentor when you start who can help you identify and work towards your personal career goals.

On top of the initial training, there are opportunities to attend additional training courses, 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 become a specialist in a particular area.

Rewards and Benefits

You’ll receive a starting salary of £37,892 plus other benefits including:

• a recruitment bonus of £4,738 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 leave

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

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.

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