At a Glance
- Tasks: Join a cutting-edge team to conduct vulnerability research and testing on telecom technologies.
- Company: UKTL is a leader in telecoms testing, ensuring the security and resilience of UK networks.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working options, a great work-life balance, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Be part of a mission-driven organisation that impacts the future of telecommunications and technology.
- Qualifications: Passion for vulnerability research, knowledge of security practices, and experience with programming and systems.
- Other info: Must be able to commute to Birmingham and obtain DV clearance for this role.
The predicted salary is between 48000 - 72000 ÂŁ per year.
What You’ll Be Doing
As a Vulnerability Researcher in Telecommunications, you’ll be at the forefront of security innovation, exploring the unknown and uncovering weaknesses in complex systems. This is your opportunity to shape the future of telecom security through deep technical research.
- Deep Dive into Telecom Systems – You’ll have the freedom and time to investigate our carrier-grade telecom infrastructure, uncovering vulnerabilities that others might miss. Your work will be thorough, precise, and impactful.
- Work Within Flexible Frameworks – Rather than rigid tasks, you’ll operate within broad themes and scopes—giving you the autonomy to shift focus as new insights emerge and opportunities arise.
- Prototype Your Own Tools – You’ll build and experiment with custom tooling—like novel fuzzers or software radio interfaces—often using obscure frameworks and languages to push the boundaries of what’s possible.
- Learn Continuously – You’ll dissect systems to understand how they fail and what it takes to secure them. Every project is a chance to grow your expertise and contribute to long-term security advancements.
Successful Applicants must be able to commute to the UKTL offices in Birmingham at least twice a week
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
You\’re curious, driven, and passionate about uncovering how things work—and how they break. You thrive in complex technical environments and enjoy pushing boundaries to discover vulnerabilities others overlook.
Qualifications
- You comprehend what protocols are doing beneath the surface and can break down how systems communicate.
- You apply structured research methodologies to explore novel technologies and uncover hidden risks.
- You bring applied knowledge of cryptographic algorithms—encryption, authentication, signatures—and know how they can be misused.
- You’re comfortable with data structures, distributed systems, and modern infrastructure like virtualisation and containerisation.
- You understand network protocols and how software works—from low-level assembly to high-level interpreted languages.
- You’re familiar with memory corruption bugs and know how attackers bypass protections like ASLR, stack canaries, and heap guards.
- You know your way around Linux internals and can pick up any programming language when given the right resources.
- You’ve used ethical exploitation tools and techniques across both low-level software and web platforms.
- You’ve got reverse engineering experience and are confident using tools like IDA Pro, Ghidra, or even just source code analysis in vim.
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. To work in this role, you will need to have a DV clearance with no restrictions, or you must have the ability to obtain a DV clearance.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Senior Vulnerability Research (VR) Security Analyst employer: National Physical Laboratory
Contact Detail:
National Physical Laboratory Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Vulnerability Research (VR) Security Analyst
✨Tip Number 1
Network with professionals in the cybersecurity and telecoms sectors. Attend industry conferences, webinars, or local meetups to connect with people who work at UKTL or similar organisations. This can give you insights into the company culture and potentially lead to referrals.
✨Tip Number 2
Stay updated on the latest trends and technologies in vulnerability research and telecom security. Follow relevant blogs, podcasts, and forums to demonstrate your passion and knowledge during interviews. This will show that you're proactive and genuinely interested in the field.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for technical interviews by practising common vulnerability research scenarios and tools. Familiarise yourself with white-hat exploitation techniques and reverse engineering tools like IDA Pro or Ghidra. Being able to discuss these topics confidently can set you apart from other candidates.
✨Tip Number 4
Research UKTL's current projects and initiatives. Understanding their focus areas and challenges can help you tailor your discussions during interviews, showing that you are not only a fit for the role but also aligned with their mission and goals.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Vulnerability Research (VR) Security Analyst
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in vulnerability research and cybersecurity. Emphasise any specific projects or roles that demonstrate your understanding of hardware and software development lifecycles.
Craft a Strong Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for security issues and your aptitude for vulnerability research. Mention specific technologies or methodologies you are familiar with, such as cryptographic algorithms or reverse engineering tools.
Highlight Relevant Skills: In your application, clearly outline your knowledge of network protocols, embedded systems, and white-hat exploitation techniques. Use examples from your past work to illustrate your skills and how they relate to the role.
Show Enthusiasm for the Role: Convey your excitement about joining UKTL and contributing to the security of telecommunications networks. Mention your willingness to learn and adapt, especially regarding new technologies and innovations in the industry.
How to prepare for a job interview at National Physical Laboratory
✨Show Your Passion for Vulnerability Research
Make sure to express your genuine interest in vulnerability research during the interview. Share specific examples from your past experiences that demonstrate your passion for understanding systems and identifying security issues.
✨Demonstrate Technical Knowledge
Be prepared to discuss your understanding of hardware and software development lifecycles, cryptographic algorithms, and network protocols. Brush up on relevant technical concepts and be ready to explain how they relate to security practices.
✨Highlight Practical Experience
Discuss any hands-on experience you have with white-hat exploitation tools, reverse engineering, or debugging techniques. Providing concrete examples of how you've applied these skills will help showcase your capabilities.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving skills in real-world situations. Think about potential vulnerabilities you might encounter and how you would approach testing and securing those systems.