Job Specifications
Dstl Porton Down, Salisbury, Wiltshire, SP4 0JQ
Job Summary
Do you have an inquisitive mind?
Do you like to understand how something works?……… and then how you can break it!
Are you interested in using your skills on classified projects you can’t see anywhere else?
Can you work in a team of world-class scientists and engineers who are all learning and creating new tools and techniques to break computer systems?
Can you learn to adapt and build hardware and software solutions to give our military new knowledge, tools, and techniques?
Join Dstl as a Cyber Technologies and Solutions Degree Apprentice!
Step into the world of defence science and technology with our Cyber Apprenticeships—an opportunity to help protect the nation’s most advanced research, innovations, and digital systems.
As part of a specialist team working at the forefront of security and intelligence, you’ll develop the skills needed to understand and assess evolving cyber threats while gaining hands on experience with cutting edge tools, expert mentors, and real world missions.
This is your chance to grow, learn, and make a meaningful impact from day one.
Your Current Situation
You may have never worked in an office, be finishing sixth form, leaving the armed forces, looking for a career change, or not enjoying your current studies. No matter what your current situation is, if you are at least 18 years old you can join us as an apprentice.
Dstl recognises the importance of diversity and inclusion as people from diverse backgrounds bring fresh ideas. We are committed to building an inclusive working environment in which each employee fulfils their potential and maximises their contribution.
Job Description
As a Cyber Technologies & Solutions Degree Apprentice, you’ll build a powerful blend of practical skills and deep technical knowledge—everything you need to start shaping the future of cyber.
You’ll get hands on with real hardware and software, learn how to spot and fix vulnerabilities, and explore how people, maths, and code all come together in modern cyber systems.
For more information on the Cyber Technologies & Solutions Degree Apprenticeship, please see the candidate pack attached below.
As a Cyber Technologies & Solutions Degree Apprentice, you’ll build a powerful blend of practical skills and deep technical knowledge—everything you need to start shaping the future of cyber.
You’ll get hands on with real hardware and software, learn how to spot and fix vulnerabilities, and explore how people, maths, and code all come together in modern cyber systems.
For more information on the Cyber Technologies & Solutions Degree Apprenticeship, please see the candidate pack attached below.
Person specification
We are looking for motivated individuals who are inquisitive and have a desire to understand how technology and systems fundamentally operate, who can bring their developing technical experience into play to ensure that Dstl can meet the constantly evolving challenges of the digital age.
For more information on the essential criteria, please see the candidate pack attached below.
Important Information
Our work in defence, security and intelligence requires our employees to be UK Nationals who are able to gain a high level of security clearance to undertake the projects we are involved in to protect us from security threats.
This role will require Developed Vetting and you should have resided in the UK for the past 10 years.
For this reason, only UK Nationals will be able to apply for this role. If you are an international or dual-national candidate, and you think you have the skills we need, please consider applying to any of our government, security or defence partners.
Individuals within DSTL who hold dual nationality and currently hold the required clearance level may apply. If found suitable for the role further security discussions will need to take place before a formal offer can be made.
Attendance
At Dstl, our vision is to have a modern way of working efficiently, accommodating and enabling our people to create, collaborate and deliver.
To do this successfully in this job will require attendance at a Dstl location; Government Departments including wider MoD or Delivery and Mission Partner’s premises for 60% of your working time.
Where business needs allow, and with the agreement of your line manager, there may be the option for a combination of workplace and home-based working. This is a non-contractual arrangement.
Qualifications
You will need to demonstrate qualifications equalling a minimum of 96 UCAS points which can include A-levels, BTEC, NVQ Level 3 or equivalents.
Eligible subjects include STEM based courses such as Computing, Physics, ICT, Electronics and Maths.
You will also need to hold five Grade 9 - 5 (A* - C) GCSE’s or equivalent, including English and Maths
We’d also welcome applications from individuals with relevant practical or hobbyist experience to do with Programming, Computers and
About the Company
The Defence, Science and Technology Laboratory brings together the top minds across government, academia and industry to keep the armed forces and the country safe. Part of the Ministry of Defence, our pioneering work covers areas including cyber, quantum, AI, space, autonomy, robotics, weapons and generation after next tech.
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