Vulnerability Researcher

Searchability; Gloucester; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading cybersecurity organization in Gloucester is seeking a Vulnerability Researcher. This hands-on research role focuses on identifying weaknesses in hardware and embedded systems, with an attractive salary package up to £70,000 depending on experience. The position offers hybrid working arrangements and requires SC clearance. Interested candidates should have strong technical skills, including experience in programming and problem-solving within a team-focused environment.

Benefits

Generous annual leave allowance

Pension scheme with strong employer contribution

Annual bonus scheme

Flexible benefits including health options

Qualifications

• Experience with hardware development and prototyping.
• Hands-on experience extracting data from flash memory.
• Strong Linux knowledge and command line proficiency.

Responsibilities

• Conduct deep technical research into hardware and embedded systems.
• Identify weaknesses and explore novel attack techniques.
• Work closely with multidisciplinary teams to design prototypes.

Skills

Hardware development and prototyping

Data extraction from flash memory

Logic analysers and oscilloscopes

Side channel attack methods

Programming in C, C++, and Python

Linux command line proficiency

Analytical mindset

Job description

Vulnerability Researcher, Gloucester UK

Key highlights

• Salary up to £70,000 depending on experience
• Hybrid working, average 2 days onsite per week
• Hands‑on research role working at the cutting edge of cyber and hardware security
• SC clearance required

About the client

Our client is a highly respected UK organisation delivering advanced cyber and security research for critical national programmes. They invest heavily in innovation, technical excellence, and long‑term capability building. Due to continued growth in specialist research projects, they are now looking to appoint an experienced Vulnerability Researcher.

The benefits

• 37 hour working week with an early finish on Fridays
• Generous annual leave allowance plus public holidays
• Pension scheme with strong employer contribution
• Annual bonus scheme
• Enhanced family friendly and sick pay policies
• Access to flexible benefits including health and wellbeing options

The Vulnerability Researcher role

As a Vulnerability Researcher, you will carry out deep technical research into hardware and embedded systems, identifying weaknesses and exploring novel attack techniques. You will work closely with multidisciplinary teams to design prototypes, test hypotheses, and document findings that directly influence future cyber capabilities.

Key responsibilities include

• Hardware teardown, characterisation, and reverse engineering
• Data extraction from flash memory technologies such as NAND, eMMC, and SPI
• Performing side channel attacks including timing, voltage glitching, and power analysis
• Developing rapid hardware and software prototypes
• Analysing system behaviour and network protocols to uncover vulnerabilities
• Producing clear technical documentation for a range of stakeholders

Vulnerability Researcher essential skills

• Experience with hardware development and prototyping
• Hands‑on experience extracting data from flash memory
• Use of logic analysers, oscilloscopes, and advanced soldering techniques
• Understanding of side channel attack methods
• Programming experience in C, C++, Python, or similar
• Strong Linux knowledge and command line proficiency
• Analytical mindset with strong problem‑solving skills
• Eligible for, or already holding, eDV clearance

Desirable experience

• Reverse engineering using tools such as Ghidra, IDA Pro, or Binary Ninja
• Vulnerability research, exploit development, or mitigation bypass
• Embedded development on ARM, AVR, or MIPS platforms
• Exposure to RF systems, SDRs, or mobile network technologies
• Network engineering experience in a lab or professional setting

Key skills

Vulnerability Researcher, hardware security, reverse engineering, embedded systems, side channel analysis, Linux, Python, C, cyber research, NSD