Overview
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 love to learn? 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 nine-week internships.
We’re looking for people with mathematical minds 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, you could join us in a permanent role and apply your mathematical thinking 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: evaluate an existing theorem or develop a new one; use some of Europe’s most powerful computers to deliver world-class input on vital security projects; study or design a new cryptographic protocol; and 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 individuals who identify as 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 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.
What we are looking for
We’re looking for people with mathematical minds 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.
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 .
* accounting and finance
* physics
* mathematics
* economics
Additional job details
Location: Cheltenham
£Dependent on programme
Contract, dates and working times: Full-time
How to apply
Click Apply to start your application now. This job will be available on Prospects until 27 October 2025
Don't forget to mention Prospects to employers when you contact them.
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. From evaluating existing theorems and developing new ones, to using some of Europe’s most powerful computers to contribute to security projects, the work they do is fascinating, rewarding, and impactful. And you could be part of it.
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 culture, working environment and diversity.
*Dependent on the specific eligibility requirements for each opportunity.
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