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Cyber Principal Operational Researcher - Job Opportunity at Defence Science and Technology Laboratory

Salisbury, United Kingdom
Full-time
Senior
Posted: February 26, 2025
Hybrid
GBP 46,900 - 55,000 per year

Benefits

Competitive pension scheme with 26% employer contribution - significantly above market average for government sector
Flexible working arrangements including compressed weeks and hybrid schedule - aligned with modern work-life balance demands
Progressive annual leave policy starting at 25 days plus 8 public holidays - competitive with private sector
Comprehensive family support with 26 weeks full-pay maternity/adoption leave - industry-leading benefit
Advanced professional development support including funded charterships and apprenticeships to Masters level
On-site amenities including parking, EV charging, dining facilities and fitness center - supporting employee wellbeing
Performance-based bonuses and recognition programs - incentivizing excellence

Key Responsibilities

Lead strategic cyber analysis projects to inform national defense decision-making and resource allocation
Develop and maintain relationships with senior stakeholders to shape operational analysis requirements
Direct small teams in delivering time-sensitive analytical projects with national security implications
Provide evidence-based recommendations for optimal resource allocation and return on investment
Apply advanced operational research methodologies to complex cyber defense challenges

Requirements

Education

STEM-based degree or Operational Research Degree

Experience

Experience working in cyber and leading small teams

Required Skills

Effective communication skills Quality analysis using Operational Research methods Hard and soft analytical techniques Customer relationship management Fast-paced project delivery

Certifications

UK Security Clearance Required
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Sauge AI Market Intelligence

Industry Trends

Increasing convergence of operational research and cyber security domains reflecting growing complexity of cyber threats Rising demand for quantitative analysis skills in cyber defense as organizations shift from reactive to predictive security models Growing emphasis on ROI-driven cyber investment decisions requiring sophisticated analytical capabilities

Salary Evaluation

The offered salary range is competitive for public sector cyber roles but 15-20% below equivalent private sector positions. However, the total compensation package including pension and benefits brings it closer to market rate.

Role Significance

Likely leading teams of 3-5 analysts with matrix management of project-specific resources
Principal level position with significant strategic influence on national cyber defense capabilities and resource allocation decisions

Key Projects

National cyber defense strategy development and effectiveness assessment Cyber capability investment analysis and optimization Threat modeling and response optimization Resource allocation and ROI analysis for defense programs

Success Factors

Ability to translate complex analytical findings into actionable recommendations for non-technical stakeholders Strong project management capabilities to deliver under time pressure while maintaining analytical rigor Deep understanding of both cyber security landscape and operational research methodologies Excellent stakeholder management skills across defense, government, and academic sectors

Market Demand

Very high demand with limited talent pool due to specialized combination of cyber security knowledge and operational research expertise. Government security clearance requirement further restricts candidate availability.

Important Skills

Critical Skills

Advanced operational research methodologies - essential for developing sophisticated analysis frameworks Cyber security domain knowledge - required for understanding technical context and implications Leadership and stakeholder management - crucial for driving project outcomes and influencing decisions

Beneficial Skills

Academic research experience - valuable for methodology development Government sector experience - helpful for understanding organizational context Data visualization skills - important for communicating findings to diverse audiences

Unique Aspects

Rare opportunity to apply operational research in classified national security context
Combination of academic research environment with practical defense applications
Access to unique datasets and analytical challenges not available in private sector
Direct impact on national cyber defense capabilities

Career Growth

Typical progression to next level within 3-5 years depending on project impact and leadership demonstration

Potential Next Roles

Head of Cyber Analysis Technical Director - Defense Analytics Chief Research Officer Strategic Advisory Roles in Defense Sector

Company Overview

Defence Science and Technology Laboratory

The Defence Science and Technology Laboratory is the UK's leading government research organization for defense and security technology

Premier position in UK defense research with unique access to classified programs and international partnerships
Major employer in Wiltshire region with significant influence in local technical talent market
Professional research environment with emphasis on analytical rigor and national security impact
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