Computer Science Researcher
Computer Science Researcher - Security Cleared - Ripponden - Up to 60,000
Great Computer Science Researcher opportunity to join a specialist software engineering and research team working on challenging, high-impact projects.
You'll work across both internal and customer-funded research, developing proofs of concept and prototypes that could become future in-service capabilities. This is an opportunity to take complex technical problems, apply rigorous research methods and turn ideas into practical solutions with real-world impact.
What you'll be doing
- Conduct innovative research across computer science and emerging technologies.
- Design and execute experiments using rigorous scientific methods.
- Develop proof-of-concepts and prototypes in collaboration with software engineering teams.
- Produce high-quality research reports and present findings to technical and non-technical stakeholders.
- Develop solutions designed to protect the confidentiality, integrity and availability of user data.
- Work with technologies and architectures where security and resilience are critical.
- Engage directly with clients and understand their technical challenges and mission requirements.
- Tackle complex problems with an innovator's mindset - looking for solutions rather than limitations.
What we're looking for
Essential:
- PhD in Computer Science or a related discipline.
- Demonstrable experience conducting innovative computer science research.
- Strong Java development skills, with experience in Python and Bash.
- Strong understanding of scientific methodology and experimental design.
- Excellent research report writing skills.
- Confidence presenting research outcomes to stakeholders.
- Understanding of secure technologies and approaches such as SSO, 2FA, mutual certificate authentication and air-gapped systems.
- A genuinely curious and innovative approach to solving difficult technical problems.
- A strong focus on delivering technology that supports the client's mission of defending democracy.
Desirable experience
Experience in any of the following would be highly valuable:
- Privacy research.
- Non-HTTP network protocols, clients and services.
- Mobile application research.
- Cellular communications networks, including 5G.
- Vulnerability research.
- Working within air-gapped environments rather than public cloud.
Location & security requirements
The role is predominantly based at our facility in Ripponden, West Yorkshire, with occasional travel and overnight stays to client and partner facilities in London and the South West of England, including Herefordshire, Gloucestershire, Wiltshire and Dorset.
Due to the sensitive nature of the work and its relevance to UK national interests, you must:
- Hold British nationality.
- Be willing and eligible to undergo Developed Vetting (DV).
- Declare any additional nationalities if you hold multiple nationalities.
Computer Science Researcher - Security Cleared - Ripponden - Up to 60,000