Year in Industry- Cyber Security Analyst

AWE; Reading; On-site; GBP 23,000 - 28,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading security agency in Reading is offering a one-year placement as an Undergraduate Cyber Security Analyst. This role involves monitoring for cyber threats, participating in incident response, and contributing to the safety of national security. The ideal candidate is studying towards a relevant degree and is expected to have a strong interest in Cyber Security. The position offers a salary of £23,500 plus multiple benefits, encouraging candidates to apply early.

Benefits

Holiday entitlement of 270 hours annually

9-day working fortnight

Salary-sacrifice benefit scheme

Welcome payment

Qualifications

• Must be graduating in 2028 or 2029 and taking a placement year from summer 2026 to summer 2027.
• Minimum of a 2:2 in your degree so far by August 2026.
• British National required due to security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Protect AWE assets by detecting and responding to Cyber threats.
• Monitor external and internal threats.
• Participate in threat hunting and incident response.

Skills

Teamwork

Problem-solving

Curiosity

Education

Studying towards a degree in Information Technology or Cyber Security

Job description

Overview

Cyber Security Analyst Year in Industry Programme 2026. Starting salary £23,500 + plus benefits and welcome bonus | Office based in Aldermaston, nr Reading, Berkshire.

PLEASE NOTE WE CAN ONLY ACCEPT ONE APPLICATION PER CANDIDATE PER YEAR. ANY DUPLICATE APPLICATIONS WILL BE WITHDRAWN.

We are offering a rewarding and exciting one-year placement as an Undergraduate Cyber Security Analyst at AWE - a role where you will make a genuine contribution to keeping the UK safe and secure.

About AWE

We\'re a team of remarkable people, united by one extraordinary mission: keeping the UK safe and secure. The UK\'s independent nuclear deterrent has existed for 75 years to deter the most extreme threats to our national security and way of life, helping to guarantee our safety, and that of our NATO allies.

Our work is critical. We\'re delivering Astraea, the next warhead for the UK\'s nuclear deterrent and pushing the boundaries of nuclear science and technology. But that\'s just part of the story.

We support the UK government in a range of vital areas - from counter-terrorism to global nuclear test monitoring to building a world-class community of experts in nuclear science. This is work that protects lives and strengthens national security.

At AWE, you\'ll find more than just a job. You\'ll find purpose, growth, and a community like no other. Whether you\'re just starting out or looking to take your career to the next level, this is your chance to learn from the best, develop your skills, and be part of something truly unique.

Be extraordinary at AWE.

www.awe.co.uk

Entry Requirements

As an Undergraduate Student within the Cyber Soc Team, we are looking for you to work in an exciting and growing area of Cyber Security. We are looking for students who are studying towards a degree in;

• Information Technology, Computer Networks and Security, Cyber Security and Mathematics or similar with an interest or specialism in the area of Cyber Security.
• Before starting with the business, you will need to be able to provide evidence that you have attained a minimum of a 2:2 in your degree so far by August 2026.
• You must be able to join AWE in August 2026. We recruit on a rolling basis which means as soon as our positions have been filled, we will close.
• Be graduating in 2028 or 2029 and taking a placement year as part of your degree from summer 2026 to summer 2027.

What to Expect on the Programme

Information Services (IT) provides the People, Processes and Technology to facilitate the collection of AWE\'s Data, Knowledge and Information from contributors, managing and storing it to optimise its efficient retrieval. Our people combine technical skills with an understanding of broader business objectives to enable the AWE to achieve its strategic goals and support National Nuclear Security.

The Cyber SOC\'s mission is to protect AWE assets by detecting and responding to Cyber threats. This is achieved through monitoring for external and internal threats, threat hunting, incidents response, forensics and investigation.

What we do at AWE is unique and so are our threats. The Cyber SOC monitor both traditional networks and cloud environments and the SOC benefits from having a wide range of tooling available to the analysts.

Analysts within the SOC have the ability to help grow and shape what we monitor and how we respond to threat. We offer and encourage self-development to ensure our analysts remain knowledgeable and the skills in order to maintain our mission.

Benefits

• £23,500 salary
• Holiday entitlement of 270 hours of leave annually including bank holidays
• Excellent work/life balance and a vibrant and welcoming grad social scene
• 9-day working fortnight - so every other Friday off
• A salary-sacrifice benefit scheme
• A welcome payment
• Potential to secure a Graduate role for when you finish university, subject to availability
• Access to savings on a wide range of everyday spending across retail, hospitality and leisure
• Access to our Employee Assistance Programme
• Access to our Occupational Health Services

The Application Process

1. Online application: Apply for one pathway; take your time to explore the options and choose the one that best matches your interests and goals.
2. Online test: If successful, you will be invited to complete our online assessment stage. These include online testing against numerical, verbal, logical and cognitive reasoning tests. Practice assessments will be available.
3. Virtual assessment: Successful candidates will be invited to our virtual assessment centres. These run throughout November into January 2026. Dates will be confirmed via email. Webinars are provided to guide you on what to expect.
4. You must be able to Join AWE in August 2026. Applications close on Friday 24th October, but will close earlier if we receive enough applications. Apply sooner rather than later.

Candidates must be willing and able to obtain and maintain the necessary security clearance for the role. Please note that you must be a British National to apply for a role with us.

Reasonable Adjustments: Our aim is to make you feel confident and informed throughout your journey with us. We\'re not trying to catch you out. Our ambition is to create a workplace where differences are recognised and celebrated. Our mission relies on the diversity and our people being able to bring their energy to work and perform their best. We encourage diverse applicants and we\'re here to support you all the way. We encourage you to let us know if you need any adjustments on your application. Any inclusion information you provide us will be used to encourage and support you through the application process and will be held only for this purpose in accordance with GDPR. Learn about how we handle your data.

Why us?

Build your career as future leader

Our focus lies on a number of key themes such as: \'self and team awareness\' - providing an opportunity to better understand your own strengths and how these could contribute effectively to collaborative situations.

Create your network

AWE\'s early careers community is full of energy, connection, and opportunity. You\'ll find plenty of ways to get involved through events organised by our ERGs, spontaneous activities and the Recreation Society. It\'s a space where you can build relationships, share experiences, and enjoy life beyond your role.

Continual support to grow

You will be supported by a dedicated line manager and Evolve pathway lead who will help your transition into the business, provide pastoral support and work with you on your development journey. You will be aligned to a \'buddy\', who will normally be a fellow graduate from an earlier cohort.

Who We\'re Looking For

We\'re looking for people who are naturally curious, enjoy solving complex problems, and aren\'t afraid to ask questions when things don\'t quite make sense. You\'ll bring a dependable, team-focused mindset and a willingness to learn because in a unique, classified environment like ours, trust and integrity are key.

You'll thrive at AWE if you\'re resilient, eager to grow and excited to apply your skills to real-world challenges. You\'ll embrace our behaviours: connecting with respect, keeping our promises, staying safe and secure, and embracing simplicity.

Contact us

If you have questions during the application process, please reach out to the Early Careers Team at [e-mail]

Next steps

Everyone who works at AWE brings unique skills and perspectives to the table. We recognise that great people don\'t always \'tick every box\'. That\'s why we focus on your potential, your fit with our values, your transferable skills as well as your experience. Even if you don\'t meet every point above, but you feel that this role and AWE are a great fit for you, please go ahead and apply, we\'d love to receive your application.

Important things you need to know:

• We encourage you to apply promptly to avoid disappointment if applications are high and the role therefore closes.
• You will need to obtain and maintain the necessary security clearance for the role. This will be funded by AWE. The nature of our work does mean you need to be a British Citizen who has been resident in the UK for the past 5 years in order to apply for SC clearance and 10 years for DV.
• We want you to feel comfortable and able to shine during our recruitment process. Please let us know on your application form if you need any adjustments/accommodations during the process.
• Our interviews typically take place over Teams and for most roles are a 1 stage process.

Our ambition is to create workplaces where we recognise and celebrate differences, encourage diverse contributions and our employees feel able to be themselves at work. We strive to create a genuine culture of openness and inclusion and encourage diverse applicants. Any inclusion information you provide will be stored in accordance with GDPR and kept separate from your application form and CV, and the information will not be shared with anyone involved in interviewing or making hiring decisions.

Please note that you must be a British Citizen to apply for a role with us.