About the job

Job summary

Are you looking for a career and a new challenge that is full of opportunity and allows you to work in a friendly and high performing environment?  Where you can demonstrate your technical knowledge and skills in a key role that enables you to produce complex and novel solutions?

• Do you have an inquisitive mind?
• Do you like to understand how something works?

           ……… and then how it can be broken!

• Or maybe you want to be part of a team that conducts cutting edge science and engineering? 
• Or you could learn to adapt and build hardware and software solutions to give our military new knowledge, tools, and techniques?
• Can you help to protect the UK from emerging cyber threats?

Then we’d like to hear from you!

The Reason:

At Dstl you will be working with world class people, undertaking the latest scientific research, developing new technologies with industry partners and academia, and providing specialist advice, supporting a wide range of customers across government and the Armed Forces. You will be part of an organisation that continuously looks to innovate and generate creative new ideas to help saves lives and protect the nation.

Who are Dstl?:

Dstl has set out a bold new vision as the government agency that provides the science inside UK defence and security.

To make this a reality, we are looking for motivated individuals who understand how technology and systems fundamentally operate, who can bring their technical experience into play to ensure that Dstl can meet the constantly evolving challenges of the digital age.

As the world of defence and security expands from the battlefield into cyberspace, Dstl is now growing its cyber capabilities to ensure that the UK is at the forefront of dealing with global cyber threats. We are therefore looking for exceptional individuals to join our strong and cohesive technical teams, who have the passion and commitment to apply their skills and knowledge to advance the nation’s cyber capability.

Cyber Technologies Group:

Due to its focus on vulnerability research, Cyber Technologies Group are looking to recruit researchers across a wide range of vulnerability axes; including analysis of software, firmware, protocols and RF communications.  The group will then use your skills to create innovative ideas for cyber solutions.

Dstl recognises the importance of diversity and inclusion as people from diverse backgrounds bring fresh ideas. We are committed to building an inclusive working environment in which each employee fulfils their potential and maximises their contribution.

We particularly welcome female and ethnic minority applicants and those from the LGBTQI community, as they are under-represented within Dstl at these levels.

Job description

Cyber Technologies Scientists work on a wide variety of technical projects, however our team members hold specialist knowledge or experience in key technologies or skill areas.

We are currently recruiting Dstl Level 4 to Dstl Level 6 (Scientist to Principal Scientist) within the skill areas listed below.  We also encourage applications from Graduates with a relevant STEM degree.

Please choose the skill area/team below, that most closely aligns to your current skills & experience. Follow the relevant 'role profile' link at the bottom of this advert for the essential skills and experience that you will be assessed against, for each level within your chosen team. 

Software & Firmware Analysis

The Software & Firmware Analysis team provide deep technical expertise & experience in the application of Software Reverse Engineering.

The team focuses on the analysis of compiled binaries using a variety of static and dynamic techniques to identify undisclosed or unknown software vulnerabilities in systems. Only by understanding system vulnerabilities, can we then protect them.  
The team also pushes the boundaries in innovating new automated analysis tools and techniques. 

We are looking for persistent and inquisitive puzzle solvers, who are able to consider lateral approaches to solving problems.

To know more about the Software & Firmware Analysis Team, please see the Job Profile attached below for the essential skills and experience required for this role.

Hardware & RF Concepts

The Hardware and RF Technologies Team has the primary focus of understanding the operation of complex electronic equipment; usually associated with, but not limited to, communications. Key technical areas of interest include attached sensors/data access peripherals (primarily antennas), analogue/digital electronics and programmable/embedded hardware devices, which includes digital signal processing (DSP) techniques. 

The team performs analysis activities on systems of interest, but also develops prototype solutions using COTS equipment where possible to speed up the development process.

To know more about the Hardware & RF Concepts Team, please see the Job Profile attached below for the essential skills and experience required for this role

Data & Protocol Analysis

The Data & Protocols Analysis team provide deep technical expertise & experience in the application of static and dynamic analysis of communication data.

The team uses a range of tools and techniques, depending on the type of data and the data bearer; which might include high-level network captures (Ethernet, WiFi), on-board data bearers (UART, I2C), or data at rest on a system (data logs, configuration files).  Using industry standard tools where possible, we are confident in expanding existing tooling or developing our own tools, depending on project needs.

We are looking for persistent and inquisitive puzzle solvers, who are able to pick apart the intricacies of communication components, while also maintaining a systems level understanding of the whole device and network.

To know more about the Data & Protocol Analysis Team, please see the Job Profile attached below for the essential skills and experience required for this role

Software Concepts & Development

The Software Concepts & Development team provide technical expertise in software development, particularly at the early prototype or proof-of-concept phase.  The team has expertise in code development using a range of both interpreted and compiled languages, and builds on the vulnerability research work within the Software & Firmware Analysis team.  An understanding of safe coding principles is also important, to ensure that we can identify potential system vulnerabilities, and ensure what we develop is secure and robust.  Also, some experience of code management tools (such as Git) and the Agile development lifecycle is very useful.

An awareness of binary analysis and communication systems and protocols would be desirable, but not essential.

We are looking for developers who have experience in Python, and a compiled language (such as C, C++ or Java), and ideally have some experience of Linux systems, including Bash scripting.  Applicants to the team should be willing to learn, and relish a challenge.

To know more about the Software Concepts & Development Team, please see the Job Profile attached below for the essential skills and experience required for this role.

Person specification

You will work closely with a variety of colleagues on projects ranging from fundamental research and concept development through to engineering solutions for operational use. These exciting roles require a breadth of specialist skills in science, technology, analysis and engineering.

Day to day life includes applying analytic and systems thinking, programming, lab-based research, or evaluating new tools and techniques in the field and then delivering assured solutions to our customers.

No two projects at Dstl are the same, as we work to build technical capabilities that will make a difference to the Defence and Security of the UK.

You will not have any direct line management responsibility, but you will be encouraged to share your knowledge and experience with other members of staff to aid cross-pollination of skills and experience as you work on projects.

Qualifications:

A degree, advanced professional qualification or equivalent experience in one of the following:

• Computer Science, Cyber Security, Ethical Hacking
• Mathematics, Physics, Artificial Intelligence
• Electronics/RF/Microwave Engineering, Communications Engineering, Signal Processing, System Engineering, Software Engineering, Systems Architecture

If you have a passion for technology and want a career that makes a positive difference to the Defence and Security of the UK then these roles could be right for you. Even if you are unsure that you meet all of the criteria you may well have skills or a mindset that we need, so please apply and start your unique career journey with us.

Important Information:

Our work in defence, security and intelligence requires our employees to be UK Nationals who are able to gain a high level of security clearance to undertake the projects we are involved in to protect us from security threats. For this reason, only UK Nationals will be able to apply for this role. If you are an international or dual-national candidate, and you think you have the skills we need, please consider applying to any of our government, security or defence partners.

This role will require full UK security clearance and you should have resided in the UK for the past 5 years. For some roles Developed Vetting will also be required, in this case you should have resided in the UK for the past 10 years.

 

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £27,620, Defence Science and Technology Laboratory contributes £7,457 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

Things you need to know

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.

We want you to have your best chance of success in our recruitment process, so If at any stage of the application process you would like help or assistance please contact the Dstl Recruitment Team dstlrecruitment@dstl.gov.uk and we will do all we can to support you.

Sifting sessions will take place weekly, starting 8th January 2024 until shortly after the closing date. During sifting, we may contact you (where required), to hold a short discussion about your application and relevant skills.

Interviews will be scheduled throughout the sifting period and will continue for a short period after the closing date. Interviews will be held either online via MS Teams or face to face at Dstl Porton Down.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is developed vetting (opens in a new window).

See our vetting charter (opens in a new window). People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

Open to UK nationals only.

This job is not open to candidates who hold a dual nationality.

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window). The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria. The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.