Senior Vulnerability Researcher

Led by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, the UK Telecoms Lab (UKTL), announced in October 2022, will give the UK the cutting-edge technology to keep our telecommunications networks safe, accelerate the roll-out of 5G,and grow our brilliant telecoms sector by bringing in new entrants to diversify the supply chain market. Read more about the UKTLhere!

Successful candidates will have a unique experience working on or supporting the latest ground-breaking cyber security and networking technologies on a national and international scale. This opportunity will allow those involved to have first-hand exposure to the latest technologies via the research and development that we are undertaking to secure our telecommunications networks, in order to keep the UK the safest place to live and do business online. It also gives exposure to senior government department officials, communications industry leaders and academic professionals, all key stakeholders in the work of UKTL as you help UKTLs leaders to coordinate meetings and briefings.

As a trusted and independent national capability, the UKTL will interact at the intersection of standards bodies, such as 3GPP, the National Cyber Security Centre and the wider UK intelligence community, academia, Ofcom, as well as Communications Service Providers and telecommunication equipment vendors.

This role will be part of a small team of Vulnerability Researchers, tackling some of the most interesting cyber problems with a meaningful and tangible impact on the national security of the UK. You will be instrumental in standing up an industry-leading security facility.

This role will therefore require a focus on consistent learning and development of both self and the team. The role will have the opportunity to develop and encourage a wider network of VR specialists across the telecoms industry to support wider knowledge sharing and skills development.

Successful Applicants must be able to commute to the UKTL offices in Birmingham with the possibility of hybrid working.

We strive to offer a great work life balance - if you are looking for full time, part time or flexible options, we will try to make this work where business possible. This will be dependent on the kind of role you do and part of the business you work in.

About You

• Experience in multiple VR roles and/or organisations.
• An interest and aptitude for vulnerability research (either from a professional background or by demonstrating an aptitude).
• A passion for understanding how things work, testing them, pushing them to their limits, and finding security issues in them.
• A deep understanding of hardware and software development lifecycles and their impact on security practices.
• Applied knowledge of cryptographic algorithms and their uses (encryption, authentication, signatures, etc).
• Knowledge of data structures, distributed systems, virtualisation and containerisation technologies.
• A deep understanding of network protocols and how software works from assembly through to interpreted languages, and everything in between.
• Experience of leveraging vulnerabilities such as memory corruption bugs (stack/heap/integer overflows, format strings), and techniques to bypass common security protections (e.g. NX, stack canaries, heap protection, ASLR, etc.)
• Knowledge and experience of embedded systems and operating systems, and hardware techniques for prototyping and debugging these.
• Knowledge of Linux OS internals. Ability to self-learn any language, given appropriate resources to study and practice.
• Practical knowledge of common white-hat exploitation toolsets and techniques for common flaws in low-level software, as well as web platforms (e.g. SQL injection, XSS, CSRF, SSRF, upload/download abuse, RCE).
• Reverse engineering experience (e.g. IDA Pro, Ghidra).
• Experience using debuggers such as GDB.

Please note:  Applications will be reviewed, and interviews conducted throughout the duration of this advert therefore we may at any time bring the closing date forward.  We encourage all interested applicants to apply as soon as practical.

We actively recruit citizens of all backgrounds, but the nature of our work in this specific area means that nationality, residency and security requirements are more tightly defined than others. You will be asked about this throughout the recruitment process. To work at NPL, you will need to obtain BPSS security clearance. However, to work in this role within UKTL, you will need to have an SC clearance with no restrictions, or you must have the ability to obtain an SC clearance.

About Us

The National Physical Laboratory (NPL) is a world-leading centre of excellence that provides cutting-edge measurement science, engineering and technology to underpin prosperity and quality of life in the UK.

NPL and DSIT have strong commitments to diversity and equality of opportunity, and welcome applications from candidates irrespective of their background, gender, race, sexual orientation, religion, or age, providing they meet the required criteria. Applications from women, disabled and black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates in particular are encouraged. All disabled candidates (as defined by the Equality Act 2010) who satisfy the minimum criteria for the role will be guaranteed an interview under the Disability Confident Scheme.

At NPL, we believe our success is a result of the diversity and talent of our people. We strive to nurture and respect individuals to ensure everyone feels valued by treating everyone on the basis of their own individual merits and abilities regardless of their own or perceived identity, as part of our commitment to diversity & inclusion, we hold memberships and accreditations to ensure we’re creating an environment where all our colleagues feel supported and welcome, please see our Diversity & Inclusion page.

To ensure everyone has an equal chance, we’re always willing to make reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process. If you would like to discuss, please contact us.

What we offer:

• 27 days annual leave + bank holidays
• Pension scheme with a minimum 5% employer contribution (12% employer contribution if you elect to contribute 6%)
• Performance related pay review in 2025 (non-contractual)
• Employee assistance programme
• Interest free loans (Up to £5k for season ticket loans, house purchase deposit)
• + Much more