Principal Vulnerability Researcher

About the Role

Step into a Principal position at the forefront of telecom security research, where you will shape not only how vulnerabilities are discovered, understood, and mitigated, but also how telecom security research evolves across the wider industry. As one of the organisation's leading technical experts, you will define strategic research priorities, influence national telecom security outcomes, and build capability within both the organisation and the broader security community.

You will provide hands-on technical leadership across complex research programmes, mentor and develop researchers, engage senior stakeholders, and represent the organisation as a recognised authority in telecom security and vulnerability research. Alongside hands-on research, you'll drive innovation, strengthen industry partnerships, and help shape the future of secure telecommunications.

• Shape Vulnerability Research Strategy - Define and drive vulnerability research across carrier-grade telecom systems. You will identify emerging technologies, prioritise strategic research opportunities, and ensure the organisation remains at the forefront of telecom security innovation. Your work will directly influence the resilience of critical national infrastructure and the UK's telecom security capabilities.

• Lead Complex Research Programmes - Provide technical leadership across large-scale research initiatives, guiding investigations into complex real-world technologies and uncovering previously unknown security vulnerabilities. You will tackle highly ambiguous challenges, connect insights across multiple domains, and help shape how future telecom systems are secured.

• Build Capability & Research Excellence - Act as a mentor and role model for researchers across the organisation, fostering a culture of curiosity, collaboration, and technical excellence. You will develop talent, establish best practices, review technical work, and help shape the future capability of the vulnerability research function.

• Apply AI to Advanced Security Research - There is the opportunity to lead the development and application of AI-enabled research capabilities using UKTL’s secure, on-premises AI hardware. You will use these resources to accelerate vulnerability discovery, automate complex analysis, and develop innovative tooling and models for telecom security research, while ensuring sensitive data and workloads remain within UKTL’s controlled environment.

• Build and Grow Technical Communities - Champion knowledge sharing and collaboration both internally and externally. You will establish and nurture research communities, facilitate technical exchanges, and create opportunities for learning and innovation across the telecom and cyber security ecosystem.

• Represent UKTL as a Thought Leader - Serve as a recognised expert within the telecom security community. You will present research findings at industry conferences, working groups, government forums, and technical communities, translating complex research into meaningful insights that influence decision-making and advance the state of the art.

• Engage Senior Stakeholders - Build trusted relationships with senior leaders, industry partners, academics, regulators, and government organisations. You will communicate complex technical topics clearly and effectively, helping stakeholders understand risks, opportunities, and strategic priorities.

• Work, Build & Experiment in a World-Class Lab - Operate within a cutting-edge research environment where exploration and experimentation are encouraged. You will have the freedom to deconstruct systems, challenge assumptions, discover new attack vectors, and develop innovative approaches that strengthen telecom security at scale.

About You

Your Skills & Experience

• Recognised expert in vulnerability research with a track record of driving technical direction, influencing security strategy, and delivering impactful research outcomes.
• Extensive experience delivering and leading vulnerability research with influence across multiple organisations, programmes, or technical domains.
• Expertise in telecommunications technologies, including 4G/5G, fibre broadband, and carrier-grade network infrastructure, is highly desirable. Training will be provided to support further development in these areas.
• Demonstrated ability to rapidly develop expertise in new technologies, platforms, programming languages, and telecommunications domains.
• Deep understanding of hardware and software development lifecycles and how security risks emerge throughout system design, development, deployment, and operation.
• Applied knowledge of cryptographic algorithms, standards, authentication mechanisms, digital signatures, data structures, distributed systems, virtualisation, and containerisation technologies.
• Strong knowledge of embedded systems, operating systems, Linux internals, and hardware debugging and prototyping techniques.

Technical Leadership & Strategy

• Proven experience defining research roadmaps, setting technical direction, and leading complex research programmes in ambiguous and evolving environments.
• Ability to translate emerging threats, vulnerabilities, and research findings into strategic recommendations that influence organisational and national security outcomes.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary teams and providing technical leadership, mentoring, coaching, and development to researchers at all levels.
• Demonstrated ability to influence technical decision-making across multiple teams and stakeholder groups without direct authority.

Stakeholder Management & External Engagement

• Excellent stakeholder management skills, with the ability to communicate complex technical concepts and research findings to a technical audiences.
• Experience representing organisations externally as a subject matter expert in vulnerability research, telecommunications security, and cyber security.
• Proven ability to influence industry direction, contribute to standards discussions, and build partnerships that advance organisational objectives.

Community Building & Thought Leadership

• Track record of building, growing, and fostering technical communities, both internally and externally, creating environments that encourage collaboration, knowledge sharing, and innovation.
• Experience organising, leading, or contributing to research communities, working groups, special interest groups, open-source initiatives, or industry forums.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with experience producing high-quality technical papers, presentations, blogs, advisory reports, or research publications.
• Recognised as a trusted expert who actively contributes to the wider vulnerability research and telecom security community through speaking engagements, publications, mentoring, and collaboration.

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.

Flexible Working

Successful applicants will be expected to attend our Birmingham office a minimum of two days per week. Our state-of-the-art facilities provide an excellent environment for collaboration, and we encourage colleagues to make the most of our on-site workspace.

We are committed to fostering a positive work-life balance and welcome applications from candidates seeking full-time, part-time, or flexible working arrangements, subject to business needs.

Location

Our site is conveniently located within easy reach of Birmingham, with excellent transport links. We are accessible by rail, with the nearest being Birmingham International station, and are also served by local bus routes. Free on-site parking is available for those travelling by car.

Why Join UKTL?

At UKTL, you'll be part of a mission that has real national impact, helping to strengthen the security, resilience, and future of the UK's telecommunications networks.

We are committed to investing in our people, providing opportunities to develop your technical expertise, broaden your experience, and build a rewarding long-term career. Whether you're an experienced specialist or looking to grow your skills in a new area, you'll benefit from:

• Meaningful work that helps shape the future security of UK telecommunications.
• Access to industry-leading training, professional development, and certification opportunities.
• Hands-on experience with cutting-edge technologies across telecoms, cyber security, research, and testing.
• Collaboration with recognised experts in a highly skilled and supportive environment.
• Opportunities to work on unique projects that drive innovation and influence industry best practice.
• A culture that encourages continuous learning, knowledge sharing, and career progression.

Security Clearance

We actively recruit citizens from all backgrounds; however, due to the sensitive nature of the work in this area, nationality, residency, and security requirements are more tightly defined than in other roles. To work in this position, you will need to meet the necessary security standards. The role requires DV clearance with no restrictions, though you are able to start in post with SC clearance while your DV clearance is in progress. You are welcome to apply without already holding the required clearance, but you will not be able to start in post until the appropriate level-SC -has been successfully granted.

Salary

Salary for UKTL specialist roles is benchmarked against the external market and may include additional compensation to recognise in-demand technical expertise.

We recruit based on capability, technical excellence and potential rather than simply years of experience. As a result, candidates may be considered for different grades depending on their skills, experience and technical depth.

During the interview process, we'll discuss how your experience aligns with our grading framework and provide an indication of the salary range associated with the most appropriate level. This ensures you have a clear understanding of expectations and opportunities from an early stage.

Our technical assessment process is designed to evaluate your expertise in greater detail and will ultimately determine the grade and salary offered. We are committed to offering competitive, market-aligned reward packages that recognise the value and impact our specialists bring to UKTL.

Our Benefits

At UKTL-NPL, we recognise that our people are key to our success. That's why we offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your wellbeing, career development and financial security. Benefits include: [uktl.org.uk], [npl.co.uk]

• Competitive pension scheme with employer contributions of up to 12%.
• Life assurance providing cover of three times your annual salary.
• Generous annual leave entitlement, sick pay and shared parental leave.
• Enhanced maternity, adoption and surrogacy leave, including up to 39 weeks' full pay.
• Private GP service with confidential phone and video appointments.
• Employee Assistance Programme offering free and confidential advice and counselling.
• Group Income Protection for additional financial security during periods of long-term illness.
• Interest-free loans for season tickets, rental deposits, house purchase deposits and other qualifying purchases.
• MyLifestyle benefits platform, providing discounts across retail, supermarkets, entertainment, travel and fitness providers.
• CSSC membership offering access to additional leisure, travel and lifestyle benefits.
• Employee referral bonus scheme.
• Professional development opportunities including technical training, mentoring, coaching and leadership development.
• Support towards professional accreditation and chartered status.
• Annual salary reviews and market benchmarking to ensure competitive and fair pay.
• Access to wellbeing initiatives, employee networks, social clubs and community activities.

We are committed to helping our people thrive both professionally and personally, providing the support, flexibility and opportunities needed to build a rewarding and meaningful career.

About Us

• UKTL is building leading edge Telecoms testing facilities to keep our telecommunications networks safe, accelerate the roll-out of new technologies, and grow our world leading telecoms sector to maintain resiliency and security.

  Read more about UKTL here !

  Successful candidates will join a state-of-the-art facility and be supporting the team conducting testing and research on the latest technologies and innovations in the industry. You will work alongside our infrastructure and Cybersecurity professionals to ensure that the UK’s world class Telecoms infrastructure grows in a resilient and secure manner underpinning growth in other industry sectors.

  As a trusted and independent national capability, UKTL interacts with standards bodies, Academia, and Government Departments as well as Communications Service Providers and equipment vendors.

  The National Physical Laboratory (NPL) is a world-leading centre of excellence that provides cutting-edge measurement science, engineering and technology to underpin prosperity and quality of life in the UK. Find out more about what it is like working here - The measure of us - Overview

  NPL and DSIT have strong commitments to diversity and equality of opportunity, and welcome applications from candidates irrespective of their background, gender, race, sexual orientation, religion, or age, providing they meet the required criteria. Applications from women, disabled and black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates in particular are encouraged. All disabled candidates (as defined by the Equality Act 2010) who satisfy the minimum criteria for the role will be guaranteed an interview under the Disability Confident Scheme.

  At NPL, we believe our success is a result of the diversity and talent of our people. We strive to nurture and respect individuals to ensure everyone feels valued by treating everyone on the basis of their own individual merits and abilities regardless of their own or perceived identity, as part of our commitment to diversity & inclusion, we ensure we’re creating an environment where all our colleagues feel supported and welcome. More about this on our Diversity & Inclusion page.

  We offer a wealth of above industry standard benefits, such as enhanced pension scheme, flexible working, and more that can be found hererewards, benefits and recognition. Our values are at the heart of what we do, and they shape the way we interact, develop our people and celebrate success. To ensure everyone has an equal chance, we’re always willing to make reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process. If you would like to discuss, please contact us.

Skills

General Skills - LABORATORY, General Skills - ASSEMBLY, General Skills - TRAINING, General Skills - Science, General Skills - NETWORKING, General Skills - Engineering, General Skills - stakeholder management, Data Analyst - Analysis, Vulnerability Research - Reverse Engineering, Vulnerability Research - Linux , Vulnerability Research - SQL injection, Vulnerability Research - XSS, Vulnerability Research - IDA Pro, Vulnerability Research - Stack Canaries, Vulnerability Research - ASLR, Vulnerability Research - Ghidra, Vulnerability Research - Heap Protection, Vulnerability Research - Network Protocols, Scrum Master - Coaching