Junior Cyber Security Researcher - September 2026

CoreTech Security Services; Cheltenham; On-site; GBP 38,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading cyber security firm in Cheltenham is looking for graduates to join their research team. The role involves engaging in security research and undergoing extensive training in various technical areas. Successful applicants can expect a starting salary of £37,500 and various benefits, including relocation support and a structured career development path.

Benefits

25 days holiday plus bank holidays

Financial support for relocation

O'Reilly books subscription

Company bonus scheme

Enhanced maternity/paternity leave

Cycle-to-work scheme

Electric Car Scheme

Free seasonal fruit and beverages

Qualifications

• Must be British Citizens and willing to undergo background checks for security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Join a research team focused on security innovations.
• Participate in training through the CoreTech Academy to improve skills.

Skills

An interest in how software vulnerabilities work

Familiarity with one or more high-level languages such as C, C++ or Java

Experience in basic scripting using Python

Familiarity with the Linux OS and working in the shell

Participation in Capture the Flag (CTF) challenges

A basic understanding of how computers communicate (networking)

Reverse engineering using Ghidra

Interest in Software Defined Radios & OpenCPI

Ethical hacking

Familiarity with Android and adb shell

Hardware Hacking

Strong inter-personal skills and enthusiasm for working with others

Curiosity about the inner workings of technology

Job description

Overview

CoreTech Security's mission is to deliver high-end security research and bespoke solutions to some of the most interesting cyber security clients in the UK. In practice, this means that we have built a world-class team of vulnerability researchers, reverse engineers, and high-assurance software engineers.

CoreTech is looking for talented individuals with an active interest in subjects such as reverse engineering, hardware teardown and cyber engineering to join our world-class research team. We deliver bespoke and innovative solutions which enable the operational needs of our clients. Our team is highly experienced, deeply technical and has a rich history of blending rapid prototyping, security research and software engineering skills.

Our Operational Research team uses a blend of technical skillsets, state of the art tooling and creative innovation to achieve the best results for our clients. This role requires an inquisitive mindset and enthusiasm for solving difficult research tasks.

CoreTech Academy

As a CoreTech graduate you will be enrolled on the CoreTech Academy where you'll be provided with the opportunity to rapidly skill up in bug hunting and reverse engineering through a mix of training, mentoring and shadowing with our experienced team. The Academy also provides the opportunity to attend seminars and presentations on a whole range of subjects, presented by colleagues from across the business.

Skills you may have

• An interest in how software vulnerabilities work
• Familiarity with one or more high-level languages such as C, C++ or Java
• Experience in basic scripting using Python
• Familiarity with the Linux OS and working in the shell
• Participation in Capture the Flag (CTF) challenges
• A basic understanding of how computers communicate (networking)
• Reverse engineering using Ghidra
• Interest in Software Defined Radios & OpenCPI
• Ethical hacking
• Familiarity with Android and adb shell
• Hardware Hacking
• Strong inter-personal skills and enthusiasm for working with others
• Curiosity about the inner workings of technology

Work Benefits

• Promotions are based on technical excellence and reviewed regularly
• 25 days holiday per year (with bank holidays on top), option to buy up to 5 days per year
• Level up with an extra day of holiday per year, up to an extra 5 days, starting from 2 years' service
• We offer financial support to cover HMRC allowable costs of relocating if you're moving to the area
• Training and development opportunities to support your career aspirations
• O'Reilly books subscription which provides access to a huge range of technical books
• Regular events including internal technical conferences, company socials and pizza-fuelled lunchtime seminars
• Free seasonal fruit, tea, coffee, milk, squash and hot chocolate

Private medical including access to:

• Private online GP, and a helpline to speak with various healthcare professionals
• Physiotherapists, osteopaths or chiropractors for muscle, bone, and joint pain
• Mental health - counselling, and specialist consultations and treatment with psychologists and cognitive behavioural therapists
• Annual Health assessment

Financial Benefits

• A company bonus scheme so that everybody is rewarded for company success. This is an annual award that is based on the company hitting its targeted forecast. We have achieved this every year to date
• 8% company contribution to pension with no minimum requirement for employee contribution
• Death in Service cover of 4x base salary

Lifestyle Benefits

• Enhanced maternity/paternity/adoption leave: 12 weeks maternity leave at full pay as soon as you join, further enhanced to 20 weeks full pay from 2 years' service. 2 weeks paternity leave at full pay as soon as you join, further enhanced to 4 weeks full pay from 2 years' service
• Enhanced cycle-to-work scheme including the ability to purchase a bike over £1,000 (e-bikes, specialist cycles and trikes allowed)
• The Electric Car Scheme - a pre-tax salary sacrifice scheme to enable you to purchase an electric car at a saving of 30-60% on the car lease, maintenance, servicing and roadside assistance

Salary

Our graduate salary for September 2026 is £37,500. We appreciate that starting work in a new location can be expensive at a time when you are just starting out on your career. To help with this, we offer:
1. A zero-interest graduate loan of up to £2,000, repaid monthly during your second year of service
2. If you're moving to the area, we offer financial support to cover allowable costs of relocating
We will also perform 6 monthly pay reviews for your first two years and aim for our graduates to be promoted to consultant grade within two years of joining.

Location

We are based in the centre of Cheltenham in a stunning new build contemporary office, 5 minutes walk from the local shops and cafes. Our website has a few pictures, which you can take a look at.

Additional Details

Please note, due to sensitivity of the role, successful applicants must be British Citizens and willing to undergo extensive background checks to obtain a security clearance.

Application Process

Our interview process is quick and to the point: if you look like a good fit for the role, we'll schedule a brief call to discuss it in more detail and answer any questions you may have. If that goes well, we'll arrange a technical interview to understand your level of experience. We aim to get back to you with an answer within a couple of days of the technical interview.