For our upcoming Maths and Cryptography Roles we’ll be running two online question and answer sessions on Tuesday 22 September 12:00 to 13:00 and Wednesday 23 September 18:00 to 19:00. We're running two sessions to give people more flexibility, but you only need to attend one.
The application window for these opportunities will open on Thursday 24 September from 3pm. In the meantime, we encourage all those:
to register their interest and attend our question-and-answer online events. Please note that we’re confining registrations of interest to the above groups only, due to their current under-representation in our workforce.
Are you a maths undergraduate or graduate looking for an exciting first step in your career? 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?
At GCHQ, 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. From evaluating existing theorems and developing new ones, to using cutting-edge technology to contribute to security projects, the work they do is fascinating, rewarding, and impactful. And now, we’re looking for people with mathematical skills to join them.
In this role, you’ll be trained to apply mathematical thinking to critical problems that help protect the UK. You’ll work across areas like cryptography, cyber security, data science, and mathematical modelling, supported by mentoring as you develop into a specialist. Collaborating in multi-skilled teams, you’ll tackle diverse challenges - from evaluating theorems and designing cryptographic protocols to applying advanced maths across disciplines like algebra, probability, and optimisation. With access to powerful tools and continuous development, you’ll produce innovative work with real-world impact.
By September 2027, you’ll have or expect to obtain at least a 2:2 undergraduate degree (or equivalent qualification) in a mathematical discipline, including (but not limited to) mathematics, computer science, statistics or physics. If you aren’t a recent graduate, you’ll still need a 2:2 degree in a mathematical discipline, plus you’ll need to have been working recently in a role where maths is the main component.
£37,892, plus recruitment bonus of £4,738. After your first year in-post you’ll also have the opportunity to qualify for an annual Specialist Skills Payment starting at £4,738.
During an initial training period, full-time attendance is required. Upon completion of training a range of working patterns, including flexitime, part-time and compressed hours, are available. Please note remote working/working from home opportunities are limited so you should be prepared, and able to work, 100% from the office.
Applications open on Thursday 24 September from 3pm. In the meantime, we encourage people from an ethnic minority background and women from any ethnic background, to register their interest*, and to attend our upcoming virtual events.
*Please note that we’re confining registrations of interest to the above groups only, due to their current under-representation in our workforce.
Any individuals who register their interest and who decide subsequently to apply for any of our maths and cryptography opportunities will need to complete an application form once the window for applications has opened.
Once the application window has opened, we will welcome applications from all candidates, regardless of their ethnic background, gender, disability and/or any other characteristic(s). All applications will be assessed solely on merit.
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.
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.
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