Summer 2027 - Student Opportunities in Cryptography

Cse Cst; Ottawa; Hybrid; CAD 32,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

Communications Security Establishment in Ottawa offers Summer 2027 student opportunities in cryptography, with on-site work and mentorship from cryptanalysts and crypto-scientists.

You will assist in developing cryptographic capabilities, researching algorithms, and supporting Government of Canada cyber missions while you complete your studies.

Qualifications

• Registered as a 2nd–4th year or graduate student in a related field in Canada, with transcript.
• Strong coding experience in Python or C++.
• Ability to communicate results to stakeholders (written and verbal).
• Interest in cryptography and cryptographic protocols.

Responsibilities

• Assist cryptanalysts and crypto-scientists at CSE.
• Develop and maintain cryptographic capabilities and support cyber defense requirements.
• Research, design and assess cryptographic algorithms and protocols.

Skills

Python

C++

Analytical thinking

Education

2nd/3rd/4th year or graduate student in related field (Canada)

Tools

Sage

Wireshark

Job description

Summer 2027 - Student Opportunities in Cryptography

$23.79 - $38.62

Closing Date:

2026-10-01

Reference number : RF-16967

About CSE

The Communications Security Establishment (CSE) is Canada’s agency responsible for foreign signals intelligence, cyber operations and cyber security. Learn more about our mission .

Student positions at CSE are unlike most others. We offer both practical and developmental work experience and allow students to be part of meaningful, exciting, projects, with the hope that they will want to join us full-time following their studies.

We are currently looking for students to work in a dynamic, innovative operational environment, be part of a team applying your analytical and problem-solving skills to a variety of problems in support of the SIGINT and Cyber missions.

Students will be mentored by and working alongside our Cryptanalysts and Crypto-Scientists at CSE. You will assist in one or more of the following functions:

• Operations, developing and maintaining cryptographic capabilities and using them to support Government of Canada Intelligence and Cyber Defense requirements.
• Cryptologic research, design, develop, assess, and attack cryptographic algorithms and protocols.

We are looking for students from a variety of backgrounds who:

• Are creative and critical thinkers who love solving problems;
• Have an interest in learning more about cryptography and cryptographic protocols;
• Are committed, resilient and tenacious in the face of adversity;
• Want to be part of a great team that delivers results for the Government of Canada and Canadians.

To find out more about our student salary scale visit the Compensation page on our website.

Area of selection

Open to Canadian citizens.

Location

Ottawa, Ontario. All jobs require full-time onsite presence in one of our two accessible facilities.

A valid Enhanced Reliability Status (ERS) or an Enhanced Top Secret (ETS) security clearance is a condition of employment that must be met before an offer can be made.

In order to be considered, your cover letter must clearly explain how you meet the following education and experience requirements.

Education

You must be registered as a 2nd, 3rd, 4th year or full-time graduate student in a recognized post-secondary program in Canada in a field related to the position, such as (but not limited to): Mathematics, Computer Science, Statistics, Physics or Engineering (e.g. Computer, Software, Electrical) with a strong math background, and with experience in coding.

Note: The educational program must be recognized in Canada, and you must be able to provide a transcript from your most recent term. Students graduating prior to, or during, the work term are not eligible to apply.

Experience

Experience with any of the following is essential:

• Researching and analyzing diverse information to solve problems.
• Experience coding using a language such as Python or C++.
• Experience communicating the results of your work to various stakeholders (e.g. peers, supervisors) verbally and in writing.
• Experience designing, programming or testing algorithms in a variety of domains such as algebra, discrete math, computational number theory, probability and statistics, combinatorics, or cryptography.
• Experience communicating the results of your work to a variety of audiences (e.g. peers, working groups, supervisors, etc.)

The following technical, behavioural and leadership competencies will be assessed at a later date. You do not need to include information about them in your application.

• Knowledge and Application of a Field of Mathematics, Computer Science, Physics or Engineering
  • Undergraduate level
    • Basic understanding of existing theories, principles and concepts
    • Under guidance, implement existing techniques and/or tools
  • Masters level
    • General understand of existing theories, principles and concepts (in order to interpret them
    • Investigate applicability of existing theories, principles, concepts, techniques and tools to mission problems.
    • General understanding technical papers and applies relevant concepts.
    • Implement existing scientific techniques and/or tools.
    • Contribute to original research
  • PhD level
    • Advanced understanding of advanced existing theories, principles and concepts in order to interpret them.
    • Integrate a variety of scientific concepts and possibly incorporates novel applications when addressing mission problems.
    • Build upon existing scientific techniques and/or tools.
    • Conduct original research
• Cryptography and Cryptanalysis
  • Apply mathematics and skills to find vulnerabilities in cryptographic primitives, protocols and implementations.
• Cognitive thinking skills
• Interactive Communication
• Change and Innovation

Assets

Assets are “nice-to-have” expertise and skills we’re interested in. You will not be eliminated if you do not meet or possess these qualifications. However, if you do have them, they may be used to identify which team you could best complement .

Please demonstrate on your application if you meet or possess the asset education or asset experience listed below.

Experience with the following would be an asset but not necessary:

• Experience with mathematical programming, including use of C, C++ or Python or software packages such as Sage, Maple, Mathematica;
• Experience with network protocols, and protocol analysis tools such as Wireshark;
• Experience in Cyber Security principles and practices;
• Experience in post quantum cryptography and or quantum information theory;