At a Glance
- Tasks: Collaborate on innovative cyber projects and conduct research to navigate the tech landscape.
- Company: Join Plexal, a dynamic start-up empowering innovators in technology.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, annual bonus, generous pension, private healthcare, and 25 days holiday.
- Other info: Exciting career growth opportunities in a fast-paced, supportive environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in cybersecurity while working with diverse stakeholders and cutting-edge technology.
- Qualifications: Degree level education or relevant experience; interest in cyber and emerging technologies.
The predicted salary is between 30784 - 45000 £ per year.
The Role's Purpose
As a Cyber technology associate you will work collaboratively with Plexal’s innovation services team to deliver cross-competency projects focused on cyber, emerging technology research, innovation consulting and programme delivery.
You will support research and analysis that helps organisations navigate the cybersecurity and related emerging technology landscape, understand threat landscapes, identify relevant capability in the UK and beyond, and make informed strategic and operational decisions.
The role will involve engaging with a diverse array of stakeholders, including startups, scaleups, corporations, government, non-profit organisations, investors, academia and technical communities, helping translate cyber and emerging technology insights into clear, useful outputs for clients.
What You'll Do
- Conduct quantitative analysis, desk research and market research to stay informed about cybersecurity trends, emerging startups, technology capabilities and innovation themes.
- Form insights into the future of cybersecurity and related emerging technology sectors, including relevant market forces, policy direction, risks, opportunities and technology drivers.
- Contribute towards the creation of high-impact deliverables for clients to inform their cyber and emerging technology strategies.
- Support SME discovery, venture scouting and ecosystem mapping to identify relevant cyber innovators, technical experts, startups, scaleups and solution providers.
- Engage with innovators and ecosystem stakeholders to understand their needs, challenges, capabilities and the interventions that will support their growth.
- Support the design and delivery of Plexal’s innovation, challenge-led and cyber-focused programmes, including research, stakeholder engagement, workshops and reporting activity.
- Contribute to ideation and solution design, helping to frame client challenges and identify potential cyber or emerging technology interventions.
- Support project delivery and management, keeping track of tasks, deliverables, workstream inputs and deadlines across multiple activities.
- Proactively interact, communicate and collaborate with external stakeholders, including clients, innovators, technical specialists and delivery partners.
- Support business development by contributing research, drafting inputs and evidence for public sector bids and bespoke proposals.
- Your Skills
- Highly organised with an understanding of innovation and collaboration practices
- Effective planning and prioritisation skills with the ability to keep track of multiple tasks and deliverables
- Analytical, with the ability to think critically and to understand, interpret and articulate complex concepts and requirements
- A developing understanding of modern cybersecurity concepts, threat landscapes, system architectures and technology-market dynamics.
- Able to translate technical concepts, risks and opportunities into clear written outputs for external audiences, with support and guidance where required.
- Competent at producing high-quality deliverables and presentations for external audiences.
- Excellent Microsoft Word, Excel and Power Point skills
- Your Experience
- Experience working in an innovative environment such as an accelerator, incubator, startup or VC.
- Experience and understanding of innovation processes such as lean startup and design thinking is a nice to have but not mandatory
- Experience with working with multiple stakeholders, such as startups and corporate clients, but also understanding the practicalities of working in a small and growing company
- Dealing with ambiguity and operating in constantly changing environment
- Experience contributing to research, analysis, presentations, reports or stakeholder-facing deliverables.
- Comfortable dealing with ambiguity and operating in a constantly changing environment.
- Some exposure to cybersecurity, emerging technology or digital innovation topics is desirable, but deep technical specialism is not mandatory for the associate level.
Who You Are
- This role will most likely require SC clearance
- Educated to degree level or equivalent relevant experience
- An interest in cyber, emerging technology, technology policy, innovation or applied research is desirable.
- Energised by the challenges and opportunities presented working for a high-growth company.
- Excellent communicator with strong interpersonal skills and the ability to interact with diverse stakeholder groups
- Team player and motivated self-starter who is able to take initiative with work load and tasks
- Passionate interest in cyber, digital and emerging technologies with a drive to continually learn
- Curious, adaptable and comfortable working with technical and non-technical colleagues to support client delivery.
- Requires regular business travel across all Plexal sites.
Why us?
As a start-up, we thrive in a dynamic and fast-paced work environment dedicated to empowering innovators.
We embrace individuals who leverage technology and creativity to tackle our greatest challenges head-on.
We strongly advocate for maintaining a harmonious work-life balance, our goal is to ensure every member of our team can authentically be themselves and live their best lives.
We firmly believe that innovation and creativity flourish when we cultivate a diverse workforce, comprising highly skilled individuals with a wide range of perspectives to contribute.
In return we will offer you
- Salary: £30,784 - £45,000 depending on skills and experience
- Annual bonus scheme
- A generous pension scheme (with a company contribution of up to 10%)
- Private healthcare, life assurance and critical illness cover
- 25 days holiday plus bank holidays
- Volunteering day
Plexal is an equal opportunities employer and we actively encourage applicants from individuals from all backgrounds.
We are a Disability Committed employer and are willing to make reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process.
About us
Plexal is the innovation and growth company helping to strengthen the UK’s technology capabilities through collaboration.
With teams in London, Manchester and Cheltenham, we work closely with government, industry, startups and academia to drive economic growth and reinforce national security.
Founded by
Delancey in 2017, Plexal delivers four core services: creating workspaces for innovators, running innovation programmes and consultancy, building regional tech clusters and helping SMEs scale strategically.
By closing the gap between early-stage and established organisations – across the public and private sectors at home and abroad – we’ve impacted over 1,200 businesses, added £731m to the UK economy and helped create 9,400 jobs.
Headquartered at Here East on the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, Plexal partners with organisations including the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, the National Cyber Security Centre, Airbus, Amazon, Barclays Eagle Labs, Google Cloud, Tf L, The Alan Turing Institute and the University of Oxford.
Technology Associate, Cyber in Manchester employer: Plexal
Plexal is an exceptional employer that thrives in a dynamic and fast-paced environment, dedicated to empowering innovators and fostering creativity. With a strong commitment to work-life balance, diverse perspectives, and employee growth, we offer competitive salaries, generous benefits including private healthcare and a robust pension scheme, and opportunities for meaningful engagement with startups and industry leaders. Our collaborative culture and focus on innovation make Plexal a rewarding place to build your career while contributing to the UK's technology capabilities.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Technology Associate, Cyber in Manchester
✨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 Plexal, 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 Plexal
Don’t forget to head straight to our website and check out any openings for cybersecurity roles at Plexal. 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 Technology Associate, Cyber in Manchester
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 Plexal 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 Plexal that you’re committed to staying ahead in the game.
How to prepare for a job interview at Plexal
✨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 Plexal 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 Plexal.
✨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.
