At a Glance
- Tasks: Conduct cutting-edge security research on telecom devices and discover vulnerabilities.
- Company: Join a leading tech firm in Oxfordshire with a collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, benefits, and opportunities to attend international conferences.
- Other info: Ideal for those eager to innovate and influence the future of security.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in cybersecurity while working with advanced technologies.
- Qualifications: Extensive experience in vulnerability research and strong reverse engineering skills.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 90000 £ per year.
We’re growing our Vulnerability Research Team and are looking for a Principal Vulnerability Researcher to perform security research into a wide‑range of carrier‑grade telecoms devices, including routers, firewalls, and mobile network nodes. This is a hands‑on, office‑based role for a researcher with extensive expertise in finding and demonstrating security vulnerabilities in embedded and networked systems.
The Role
- Vulnerability research against real‑world network and embedded devices
- Reverse engineering firmware and binaries to discover security vulnerabilities
- Performing source code analysis to identify memory safety issues, logic flaws, and design weaknesses
- Designing and running fuzzing campaigns against protocols, services and interfaces, on both the target device and via emulation
- Working with a variety of CPU architectures such as ARM, MIPS, PowerPC and x86‑64
- Providing technical leadership and setting research standards
- Investigating how individual vulnerabilities can be chained to maximise system compromise
- Developing and maintaining tools to improve personal and team productivity
- Producing clear, high‑quality technical reports describing root cause and impact
Ideal Background
- Extensive experience in security or vulnerability research
- Strong reverse engineering skills using static and dynamic analysis with disassemblers – Ghidra experience is preferred
- Demonstrated ability to efficiently conduct source code analysis on large codebases
- Practical experience with fuzzing techniques, tooling, optimisation, and crash triage
- Strong understanding of embedded systems, OS internals, and networking, including familiarity with underlying hardware
- Expertise in embedded operating systems such as Linux and VxWorks
- Proficiency in C/C++, Assembly and scripting languages such as Python or Lua
- Eagerness to investigate and apply the latest AI tools and techniques
- Practical experience with network or embedded devices
Candidates with published security research or CVEs are particularly encouraged.
What’s on Offer
- Principal‑level role with real technical influence
- Cutting‑edge research into complex, heterogeneous systems
- Collaborative, engineering‑driven culture, with high standards for quality
- Competitive salary and benefits
- The opportunity to attend major international security conferences and training courses
- Based in Oxfordshire
Eligibility
As you will be required to work with UK Government departments, all applicants must already hold, or be able to obtain, the necessary UK security clearance. Therefore, the following must apply:
- You must be a British Citizen. If you hold dual nationality, of which one component is British, your application will still be considered.
- You’ll usually need to have been a resident in the UK for seven out of the last ten years before applying for a role with us.
Principal Vulnerability Researcher employer: National Physical Laboratory
Join our dynamic team in Oxfordshire as a Principal Vulnerability Researcher, where you'll engage in cutting-edge security research on carrier-grade telecoms devices. We pride ourselves on fostering a collaborative and engineering-driven culture that values high standards of quality, offering competitive salaries, comprehensive benefits, and opportunities for professional growth through international conferences and training courses.
Contact Details:
National Physical Laboratory Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Vulnerability Researcher
✨Get Involved in the Cybersecurity Community
Diving into the cybersecurity community is key for landing that full-time gig. Join forums like Reddit's r/cybersecurity or attend local meetups to connect with industry veterans and other job seekers. Networking is everything in this field—don’t just be a passive lurker!
✨Show Off Your Skills with Capture the Flag Competitions
Participate in Capture the Flag (CTF) competitions; these are not just a fun way to boost your skills but also a chance to showcase your talent to potential employers. Many companies, including National Physical Laboratory, love seeing candidates who actively engage in these challenges.
✨Tailor Your Online Presence
Make sure your LinkedIn and any professional profiles reflect your cybersecurity expertise. Share your projects, whether they’re personal or from a previous role, to catch the eye of hiring managers. This is how they’ll find your passion and commitment to the field!
✨Apply Directly Through National Physical Laboratory
Don’t forget to head straight to our website and check out any openings for cybersecurity roles at National Physical Laboratory. Applying directly can sometimes give you an edge, especially if you can mention that you've been following our work or engaging in the community.
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Vulnerability Researcher
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show off your technical skills:In cybersecurity, it's crucial to highlight your technical prowess. Make sure your CV showcases specific skills like network security, penetration testing, or threat analysis. If you have relevant certifications (like CEH or CISSP), pop those on the front page to grab attention!
Tailor your portfolio for the role:Even for a full-time role, a portfolio can set you apart. If you've worked on any cybersecurity projects—be it CTF challenges, security assessments, or research papers—include these in your application. This demonstrates not just your skills, but also your hands-on experience!
Use real-world examples:When writing your cover letter, don’t just stick to your qualifications. Share real-world examples of how you’ve tackled security issues or vulnerabilities. This gives the hiring team at National Physical Laboratory insight into your practical problem-solving abilities and makes your application memorable.
Demonstrate your passion for cybersecurity:Cybersecurity is an ever-evolving field, so show us that you’re always learning! Mention any recent courses, webinars, or industry events you’ve attended. This not only exhibits your enthusiasm but also signals to National Physical Laboratory that you’re committed to staying ahead in the game.
How to prepare for a job interview at National Physical Laboratory
✨Sharpen Your Technical Skills
For a role in cybersecurity, it’s essential to be up-to-date with the latest tools and techniques. Brush up on your knowledge of firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and vulnerability assessment tools. Be ready to discuss specific scenarios where you’ve applied these skills, as hands-on experience can really set us apart in interviews.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect the interviewers at National Physical Laboratory to throw in some hypothetical situations to see how you’d handle them. Think about common security breaches or incidents and be prepared to explain how you would respond. This not only shows your problem-solving skills but also your understanding of real-world cybersecurity challenges.
✨Highlight Your Certifications
Certifications like CompTIA Security+, CISSP, or CEH can give you a significant edge in a full-time role in cybersecurity. Make sure to mention these during your interview and be prepared to discuss what you learned through those certifications and how they relate to the position at National Physical Laboratory.
✨Show Your Passion for Cybersecurity
Since you’re going for a full-time gig, showing genuine enthusiasm for the field can make all the difference. Share any personal projects, blogs, or communities you’re part of that relate to cybersecurity. This not only showcases your passion but also your commitment to staying engaged in this ever-evolving field.
