GCHQ
Maths and Cryptography Opportunities
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Cheltenham
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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 a love of learning? Are you curious about how your skills could help GCHQ protect the UK? We’ve got a variety of opportunities in our Maths and Cryptography teams, from permanent roles through to two-week insight programmes and a nine-week internship.
As one of the UK’s Intelligence Services, at GCHQ we unlock the complex world of communications to keep our nation safe. What we do is unique and ever-changing – and it’s driven by the amazing work of our Mathematics and Cryptography teams. Our mathematicians and cryptography specialists are at the cutting edge of everything from cyber security to mobile communications. They help solve an incredible range of interesting problems every day. The work they do is fascinating, rewarding, and impactful. And you could be part of it.
We’re looking for people with mathematical skills to join us. Wherever you’re at in your degree, or whether you currently have experience in a maths related role, there’s an opportunity for you to get involved. And when you join, you’ll get a unique insight into the work we do, becoming part of our mission as you learn unique ways to apply your maths and cryptography skills.
What opportunities are there?
Maths and Cryptography Roles
If you have, or expect to obtain, at least a 2:2 undergraduate degree in a mathematical discipline by September 2027, you could join us in a permanent role and apply your maths skills to help solve an incredible range of interesting problems. You could also be working in a maths-based role at present and looking for a change in career. In a typical day you might:
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- 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
- 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.
Maths and Cryptography Insight Programme
We strive to be as inclusive and representative of society as possible, however we acknowledge that 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. If you’re in your first year or above of a mathematics degree and have at least an ‘A’ in A-level maths (or equivalent), join us for two weeks and gain a unique insight into how we use maths and cryptography to keep the UK safe.
Maths and Cryptography Internship
If you’re a current undergraduate studying for your degree (Bachelors, Integrated Masters or equivalent) in mathematics, or a Joint Honours subject with mathematics as the main component, you could join us on this nine-week paid summer internship. You’ll get involved in real operational projects, working alongside, 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. By the beginning of the internship (June 2027), you’ll need to have completed a minimum of two taught years of your degree (or equivalent for part-time courses), be on track to receive a 2:1 by the end of your degree, and have achieved at least an ‘A’ in A-level maths (or equivalent).
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We’re now open for applications. So, if you’re curious, why not take a look at the full details?
Discover how your maths skills could count for more and apply now.
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. Find out more about our commitment to
Dependent on the specific eligibility requirements for each opportunity.
To be eligible to apply, you must be a British Citizen. If you hold dual nationality, of which one component is British, you will nonetheless be considered. You can apply at the age of 17 years, if successful you will not be offered a start date prior to your 18th birthday. See our website for full eligibility details.
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