National Physical Laboratory

Our world-leading Time & Frequency department are seeking an experienced and practicing Senior Software Engineer with proven expertise in DevOps automation and container orchestration. You will be joining our team at an exciting time - we maintain the UK's National Time Scale, UTC (NPL), and are currently developing a new resilient Time Scale facility that will underpin our Critical National Infrastructure. This will address the risks associated with our dependency on global navigation satellite systems (such as GPS) that are vulnerable to both natural and intentional interference. You'll work closely with the Product Manager(s) and Delivery Manager(s) to align product and business requirements, develop proposals, and balance tech debt to deliver product functionality. Key responsibilities: Oversee software release management - automated deployment to multiple on-prem and cloud environments Develop scripts to automate DevOps functions Manage all content going live Reporting to a Programme Manager, you'll play a pivotal role in the design of critical UK infrastructure that pushes the boundaries of measurement accuracy for the UK's new resilient Time Scale. Required skills, experience and qualifications Proven and recent experience in the delivery of DevOps solutions Team leadership Risk assessment and management Security mindset Clear communicator Automation - Packer, Terraform, Ansible, CI/CD practices, developing pipelines Unix system administration Cloud platform administration Docker, container orchestration Python and shell scripting Professional software development experience Desirable skills Interest in Physics, measurements, and communications, for example time and frequency measurement and time scale steering, real time monitoring and control of electronic hardware, satellite communication, optical fibre and GNSS-based systems. We actively recruit citizens of all backgrounds, but the nature of our work in specific departments means that nationality, residency and security requirements can be more tightly defined than others. You will be asked about this throughout the recruitment process. To work at NPL, you will need to obtain BPSS security clearance. However, to work in this role in the Time & Frequency department, you will need to have an SC clearance with no restrictions, or you must have the ability to obtain an SC clearance. 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.

Overview We are hiring a Scientist to join NPL's Quantum Software & Modelling team in the Quantum Technologies Department. You will be a vital part of NPL's team contributing to achieve the UK's mission to deliver an accessible UK-based quantum computer capable of running 1 trillion operations. The exciting and innovative research will be done in collaboration with experimental teams at NPL, as well as leading national and international quantum computing companies and Universities. Research Areas and Responsibilities The research will be within the following areas: Development of quantum computing and classical computing algorithms and software for applications in materials science, chemistry, machine learning and AI Development of machine learning and other AI approaches for large scale automation and modelling of quantum technologies Theory and algorithms for open quantum systems to determine the physical decoherence mechanisms in qubits Development of methods to determine the effects of noise on quantum algorithms and quantum error correction In this role you'll develop a programme of research, commercial and academic collaborations and support any funding applications we may be undertaking as well as propose your own bids. Qualifications You will have a degree in one of computational physics, chemistry, mathematics, AI, data science, computer science, quantum technologies or related subjects. You will need to demonstrate expertise in at least one, and preferably more, of the following areas: Development of quantum computing algorithms and software Development of machine learning algorithms and software Development of tensor networks algorithms and software Development of algorithms and software for materials or chemistry simulations and their application Development of models and software for open quantum systems Developments of methods for quantum error correction Development of automation algorithms and software Legal and Other Requirements We actively recruit citizens of all backgrounds, but the nature of our work in specific departments means that nationality, residency and security requirements can be more tightly defined than others. You will be asked about this throughout the recruitment process. To work at NPL, you will need to obtain BPSS security clearance. How to Apply Please include a list of publications within your CV and a short covering statement describing your key research accomplishments and how your skills match the requirements. For any role specific queries, please contact .

A leading research laboratory in the UK is seeking a Principal Enterprise Security Architect to oversee cyber security design for national-scale Position, Navigation, and Timing programmes. This role requires extensive expertise in enterprise security frameworks and cloud technologies, with notable certifications like CISSP or CISM. The successful candidate will lead the Cyber Security strategy, engaging with stakeholders and implementing security architecture that aligns with industry standards. A strong background in risk mitigation and excellent communication skills are essential for this specialized position.

The National Physical Laboratory (NPL) is seeking a Principal Enterprise Security Architect to lead cyber security design and assurance for national scale Position, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) programmes; requiring expertise in enterprise security architecture frameworks, cloud and IT technologies, risk mitigation, and relevant certifications such as CISSP or CISM, while collaborating with senior stakeholders and ensuring alignment with NPL's security strategy and compliance with government and industry standards. This role will be responsible for the overall cyber security design, development and delivery across strategic PNT programmes. The role will be responsible for delivering assurance relating to activities of high complexity and risk, making decisions that will enable NPL to achieve its goals within its risk appetite. The Principal Enterprise Security Architect will lead the Cyber Security pillar within the PNT Technical Design Authority, overseeing the implementation of solutions to ensure technology and digital solutions align with the enterprise security roadmap. This specialist position will report into the head of NPL's Cyber Security Team, part of the NPL CIO function helping to provide all of NPL with day to day information risk consultancy, advice, and guidance. It will also support with prioritisation of risk mitigation activities, tracking of risk tolerance and reporting while supporting the design and implementation of the assurance framework. Key Responsibilities Lead the cyber security architecture and design function across NPL's PNT programmes to deliver at National Scale To oversee the design, delivery, and running of Cyber Operational capability that is dedicated for NPL's PNT programmes Develop an enterprise architecture and guiding principles for the PNT programmes which aligns with the NPL's security strategy Communicate with senior stakeholders (across NPL and UK Government) and be responsible for defining the vision, principles and strategy for security architecture. Work alongside the Enterprise Architecture team to provide a consolidated and aligned architectural position to guide NPL in the safe use of IT technologies and systems Lead the technical cyber security design of systems and services across multiple PNT programmes and projects / technologies, up to an organisational or inter organisational level Make and influence important business and architectural decisions Research, identify, validate and adopt new security technologies and methodologies that help NPL achieve its business objectives Research and apply innovative security architecture solutions to new or existing problems, and be able to justify and communicate design decisions Lead the engagement with NPL's customers within both the UK Government and the private sector on security risk and architectural decisions Understand the impact of decisions, balancing requirements and deciding between approaches based on the business requirements and risk appetite of NPL Identify and communicate current and emerging threats, whilst designing security architecture elements to provide mitigation against those threats Maintain an understanding of the emerging threat profile, work with the wider team to contextualise this threat in terms of NPL's own business/delivered programmes and ultimately develop a prioritised mitigation strategy. Develop a security posture which delivers this mitigation through both technical implementation, operating procedures and business processes Qualifications and Experience Essential: Referenceable, in depth knowledge and experience in Cyber Security and IT; including business process design; Ability to work with Enterprise Security Architecture frameworks (SABSA / TOGAF); Designing and constructing business processes, functions and organisational structures using appropriate tools/modelling languages; Significant knowledge of cloud architecture and integration technologies; Understanding of IT, networking and virtualisation technologies; Proven ability to define architecture roadmaps, associated strategies, including design analysis; In depth assessment of IT systems, cloud offerings (IaaS, PaaS and SaaS), services and IT Security controls to provide an independent view of their compliance and effectiveness with Security Policy, IT Security standards and external regulatory requirements; Assessing architectural designs to determine whether the relevant IT Security controls have been identified in line with business objectives and risk mitigation; Experience of cross security domain approaches and solutions; A working knowledge of IT Security risk assessment processes and ability to identify a proportionate set of IT Security controls, aligned with business objectives; Excellent communicator, verbal and written, with the ability to explain complex issues to a variety of stakeholders; technical and non technical. Desirable: Secure delivery of scale national infrastructure and subsequent managed service; including the ability to design and build practical security infrastructure within this environment, based on a contextualised understanding of risk; Experience of operating in Critical National Infrastructure (CNI) and the requirements around cyber security and operational resilience; Understanding of threats in a government, mission and critical national infrastructure environments; Analysis, creation and compilation of relevant documentation determining the compliance level of systems and services, technical security controls with applicable certification, accreditation, and internal policy requirements; Stakeholder engagement; promoting a mind set of developing secure systems, transferring knowledge of security standards / processes and acting as a subject matter expert (SME); Experience of leading and mentoring colleagues; Ability to work in small teams, across highly specialised technology areas with diverse projects. Essential Cyber Security Certifications: One of the following - Certified Information Security Systems Professional (CISSP) - SABSA Chartered Security Architect (SCF) - Certified Information Security Manager (CISM). Two or more of the following certifications (or equivalent) - CompTIA Security+ - Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP) - Systems Security Certified Practitioner (SSCP) - GIAC Security Essentials Certification (GSEC) - Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) - Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control (CRISC) - ISO 27001 Lead Auditor - ISO 27001 Lead Implementer - Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA). We actively recruit citizens of all backgrounds, but the nature of our work in specific departments means that nationality, residency and security requirements can be more tightly defined than others. You will be asked about this throughout the recruitment process. To work at NPL, you will need to obtain BPSS security clearance. However, to work in this role in the Time & Frequency department, you will need to have an SC clearance with no restrictions, or you must have the ability to obtain an SC clearance. 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.

A leading scientific laboratory in the UK seeks a Scientist for their Quantum Technologies Department. In this role, you will contribute to the development of quantum computing algorithms and support collaborations with national and international teams. Candidates should possess a degree in a relevant field and demonstrate expertise in several areas, including machine learning and quantum error correction methods. This exciting opportunity involves participation in significant research activities and development of funding applications.