eSIM & Subscriber Identity Specialist

National Physical Laboratory; Greater London; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

National Physical Laboratory is recruiting a researcher to advance subscriber identity technologies within a cutting‑edge telecoms research environment. You will bring deep expertise in eSIM, eUICCs, remote SIM provisioning, GSMA specifications, and related security standards to practical investigations across real‑world networks.

You will collaborate with specialists from security, privacy and hardware to shape research activities, contribute rigorous analyses, and communicate findings to

Qualifications

• Expertise in SIM, UICC, eSIM and related subscriber identity technologies.
• Experience with remote SIM provisioning ecosystems.
• Understanding of eSIM profile structure, creation, deployment and lifecycle management.
• Knowledge of JavaCard, GlobalPlatform and secure element technologies.
• Familiar with subscriber authentication, identity management, and provisioning workflows within mobile networks.
• Experience investigating complex technical problems and translating findings into clear technical outputs.
• Confidence working within Linux-based environments and learning new tools and technologies when required.
• Ability to work independently while contributing effectively within multidisciplinary teams.
• Curiosity about how complex telecommunications systems operate and an interest in exploring adjacent areas such as security, privacy and wider telecoms research.

Skills

SIM/UICC/eSIM

Remote SIM provisioning

eSIM profile structure

JavaCard

GlobalPlatform

Job description

About the Role

Join a unique research environment focused on the technologies that underpin subscriber identity, authentication and connectivity across modern telecommunications networks. In this role, you'll bring deep expertise across the rapidly evolving eSIM ecosystem, including eUICCs, Remote SIM Provisioning, eSIM profile structure, GSMA specifications and technical standards, subscription manager platforms, JavaCard and GlobalPlatform technologies and the wider systems that enable subscribers and devices to securely access mobile networks.

This is not a traditional security role. Instead, you'll apply your specialist knowledge to explore how subscriber technologies operate in practice, contributing to a multidisciplinary research team investigating the future of telecom systems. Along the way, you'll have the opportunity to broaden your expertise into security, privacy, and wider cybersecurity research topics.

As one of the organisation's specialists in subscriber identity technologies, you'll draw on your industry experience to help shape research activities, guide technical investigations, and provide authoritative insight into how these technologies are designed, implemented, deployed, and operated across real‑world telecommunications networks. You'll work closely with specialists from telecoms, security, privacy and hardware disciplines, helping to build understanding across a range of research areas.

Apply your expertise to help UKTL and its partners understand how subscriber identity technologies are evolving and how they may influence the future of telecommunications. Through research, experimentation, and collaboration, you'll contribute specialist knowledge that informs government, academia, and industry discussions around emerging developments in this area. You'll also have the opportunity to explore how subscriber identity technologies interact with carrier‑grade telecommunications networks, broadening understanding of how these technologies operate within modern telecoms environments.

Bring your expertise in subscriber identity technologies to a research environment that encourages curiosity and continuous learning. You'll have the opportunity to explore areas beyond your current specialism, working alongside researchers with a wide range of expertise and contributing to investigations across the wider telecommunications landscape. This is a role for someone who wants to apply what they already know while continuing to develop in new and exciting technical directions.

Operate within a cutting‑edge research environment where experimentation is encouraged. You'll have access to carrier‑grade telecom environments and the freedom to deconstruct systems, explore their limits, and rebuild them more securely

Successful Applicants must be able to commute to the UKTL offices in Birmingham at least twice a week

We strive to offer a great work life balance - if you are looking for full time, part time or flexible options, we will try to make this work where business possible. This will be dependent on the kind of role you do and part of the business you work in.

About You

• Expertise in SIM, UICC, eSIM, eUICC and related subscriber identity technologies
• Experience working with remote SIM provisioning ecosystems
• Understanding of eSIM profile structure, creation, personalisation, deployment and lifecycle management
• Knowledge of JavaCard, GlobalPlatform, secure element technologies or related application environments
• Familiarity with subscriber authentication, identity management, and provisioning workflows within mobile networks
• Experience investigating complex technical problems and translating findings into clear technical outputs
• Confidence working within Linux-based environments and learning new tools and technologies when required
• Ability to work independently while contributing effectively within multidisciplinary teams
• Curiosity about how complex telecommunications systems operate and an interest in exploring adjacent areas such as security, privacy and wider telecoms research

You do not need to be a security specialist to apply for this role. However, an interest in understanding how technologies can fail, be misused, or be improved would be valuable. This position offers the opportunity to work alongside cybersecurity researchers while expanding your expertise into new domains.

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.

We actively recruit citizens of all backgrounds, but the nature of our work in this specific area means that nationality, residency and security requirements are more tightly defined than others.

To work in this role, you will need to hold an SC clearance with no restrictions.

You are welcome to apply without already holding SC clearance; however, you will not be able to start in post until the clearance has been successfully granted.

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 here.

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.