Posted by The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) group is recruiting graduates for its 2027 Cyber Security Graduate Programme, with an advertised annual salary of £32,000. The programme offers experience across different organisations, teams, and locations involved in the safe and secure management of the UK’s nuclear legacy.
Graduates will develop skills in cyber security, information assurance, risk management, security operations, and incident response. The two-year programme includes two 12-month secondments, professional development, mentoring, and support towards relevant professional accreditation where applicable.
The advertised recruitment deadline is 12 noon on Friday, 6 November 2026. Successful candidates are expected to begin the programme in September 2027.
Job Overview
- Job Title: Cyber Security Graduate, NDA Group Graduate Programme 2027
- Programme: NDA Group Graduate Programme
- Employer During Programme: Energus
- Location: Various locations across England, Scotland, and Wales, including opportunities associated with Thurso
- Employment Type: Two-year graduate programme
- Salary: £32,000 per year
- Programme Structure: Two 12-month secondments
- Education: Minimum 2:2 degree in a relevant subject
- Work Authorization: Right to work in the UK throughout the programme
- Relocation: Support available where required
- Application Deadline: 12 noon, Friday, 6 November 2026
- Expected Start Date: September 2027
- Security Requirements: Security clearance and vetting checks
About the Employer
The NDA group brings together organisations working on the UK’s nuclear decommissioning and environmental restoration responsibilities. Energus employs graduates during the programme, while participants undertake placements within the NDA group.
The graduate programme is designed to develop technical, professional, and behavioural skills through practical assignments, mentoring, training, and exposure to different working environments.
Job Description
As a Cyber Security Graduate, you will help protect the digital systems, information, and technology that support the NDA group’s work. The position provides experience in a highly regulated and safety-critical environment where cyber security is important to protecting critical infrastructure and maintaining operational continuity.
Depending on placement assignments, graduates may gain exposure to cyber risk management, information assurance, security operations, security architecture, governance, compliance, incident response, and cyber resilience.
The programme also includes the DVMS Cyber Resilience Professional Foundation and the BCS Certificate in Information Security Management Principles.
Key Responsibilities
Depending on placement and business requirements, responsibilities may include:
- Supporting cyber security risk assessments.
- Helping investigate security incidents.
- Reviewing and strengthening security controls.
- Analysing emerging cyber threats and vulnerabilities.
- Supporting information assurance and security governance activities.
- Contributing to compliance and security awareness initiatives.
- Helping improve incident response and recovery arrangements.
- Supporting the development of secure technology solutions.
- Working with experienced professionals across different teams and locations.
Qualifications and Requirements
Applicants must meet the following essential requirements:
- A minimum 2:2 degree in a relevant subject.
- The right to work in the UK for the entire programme.
- Willingness and ability to travel and relocate to programme locations when required.
- Ability to demonstrate the group’s values of Respect, Openness, Collaboration, Performance, and Creativity.
- Willingness to complete the required security clearance and vetting process.
Offers are conditional on proof of the right to work and successful security clearance and vetting checks.
The programme may suit graduates who enjoy analytical thinking, problem-solving, technology, and learning about cyber security in complex organisations.
Salary and Benefits
The graduate programme offers an annual salary of £32,000.
Other benefits include:
- 25 days of annual leave.
- Bank holidays and six additional discretionary leave days.
- Company contributory pension scheme.
- Employee Assistance Programme.
- Aviva DigiCare+ wellbeing support.
- Cycle2Work scheme.
- A tailored professional development programme valued at £9,900.
- Membership of up to two professional institutions through the development programme.
- Dedicated mentoring and access to graduate and employee networks.
- Funded travel and subsistence for eligible training and programme events.
- Support towards professional accreditation, registration, or chartership where relevant.
Relocation Support
The NDA group operates at more than 30 sites and office locations across England, Scotland, and Wales. Graduates must be geographically flexible and prepared to relocate according to programme and business needs.
Relocation support is available where required. The listing does not state that visa sponsorship is available, and candidates must already have the right to work in the UK for the duration of the programme.
Recruitment Process
The selection process consists of the following stages:
- Online application form.
- Neurosight psychometric assessment sent by email.
- A 30-minute online video interview with representatives from a sponsoring organisation.
- Face-to-face assessment centre activities.
- Offer and pre-employment security paperwork.
- Onboarding before the September 2027 programme start.
Face-to-face assessment centres are scheduled for early 2027. Applicants should regularly check their email, including spam and junk folders, for recruitment communications.
The employer may close the vacancy early if sufficient applications are received. Only one application to the NDA group Graduate Programme is required.
Who Should Apply?
This programme is suitable for graduates with a relevant degree who want to build a career in cyber security and help protect critical national infrastructure. Candidates should be comfortable learning in different environments, travelling or relocating when required, and completing security vetting.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the salary for the NDA Cyber Security Graduate Programme?
The advertised salary is £32,000 per year.
2. When does the 2027 graduate programme start?
Successful candidates are expected to start in September 2027.
3. What is the application deadline?
The deadline is 12 noon on Friday, 6 November 2026. The vacancy may close earlier if enough applications are received.
4. What degree qualification is required?
Applicants need at least a 2:2 degree in a relevant subject.
5. Is the programme based only in Thurso?
No. The listing identifies various UK locations across England, Scotland, and Wales. Applicants must be geographically flexible.
6. Is relocation assistance available?
Yes. The listing states that support is available to help graduates relocate where required.
7. Does the programme offer visa sponsorship?
The listing does not confirm visa sponsorship. Applicants must have the right to work in the UK throughout the programme.
8. What security checks are required?
Successful candidates must provide proof of their right to work and pass the required security clearance and vetting checks.
How to Apply
Interested candidates who meet the required qualifications and experience criteria should submit their application.
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