Cyber Security Research Placement (12.5 months)

Job Description

Job Description:

Start date: 17 August 2026

Location: Newport

Duration : 12.5 months

Application: We love your interest in joining Airbus! There is no limit on the number of positions you can apply for, however, please be aware that you can only progress in the selection process for one position at a time . We recommend reviewing all available opportunities and applying to those that best match your experience and aspirations.

AI Guidance: We know you might be thinking about using AI to help you in your application - before you do, please read our guidelines on the use of AI for recruitment at Airbus http://airbus.com/en/careers/use-of-ai.

Apply early to avoid missing out - we may close adverts once we receive sufficient applications.

Benefits:

Salary: £23,400

35 hours per week // Flexible working hours // Half day Fridays! // 25 days holiday plus bank holidays

About us:

Ready to protect a global aerospace leader from the world's most sophisticated cyber threats? The Airbus Cyber Innovation team is at the forefront of this battle, pioneering next-generation security solutions for the aerospace and defence sector. This is your chance to work alongside leading experts, tackling the ever-evolving challenges that define modern cybersecurity and make a discernible impact on critical global infrastructure.

Our team is a dynamic collective of specialists in fields ranging from cyberpsychology and smart manufacturing (IoT/ICS) to artificial intelligence, cryptography, and cloud security. We don't expect you to be an expert in any of these; instead, we seek interns with a powerful sense of curiosity, a deep passion for learning, and a proactive drive to contribute your unique ideas to our hands-on experiments and prototype development. We value a fresh perspective and an eagerness to challenge the status quo.

This is more than an internship; it's an opportunity to turn theory into reality. You will conduct research into new tools and technologies, build and test innovative prototypes, produce technical reports to communicate findings, and support cyber innovation activities at Airbus. You may even have the chance to contribute to research published at international conferences. Immerse yourself in a world-class R&D environment, develop highly sought-after technical skills, and gain firsthand insight into the critical cybersecurity questions facing a major global organization today.

What you will be doing:

During your placement, you will undertake cutting edge digital security research and innovation activities under the guidance of experienced innovators and subject matter experts, to develop solutions to Airbus’ cybersecurity innovation needs.

As part of the Cyber Innovation Team you will:

• Contribute to ongoing and new research projects;
  
• Learn about the complex and upcoming needs of a large organisation;
  
• Work with a range of teams within the business to develop new innovations;
  
• Collaborate with universities and academics across the world;
  
• Get involved in scouting the market for new cybersecurity technologies and assessing their capabilities;
  
• Write internal technical reports and contribute to papers published at leading cybersecurity conferences;
  
• And potentially travel to other Airbus sites, events and academic conferences across Europe.
  

Requirements:

Our placements are open to Undergraduates only . Therefore it is mandatory for candidates to be an undergraduate for the whole duration of the placement. Please inform your graduation date on your application.

*Your application should include a CV along with a Cover Letter outlining your motivation and suitability for the role.*

Education

Successful candidates will be able to demonstrate some of the following:

• Studying towards a degree in Cyber Security, Computer Science, Computing, or equivalent;
  
• Passed modules in any of the following or similar: Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Cryptography, Data Science, Secure Software Development, Risk Management, Cybersecurity Law, Security Architecture, Cybersecurity of Operational Technology (OT) / SCADA, Cloud Security, Network Security, Offensive & Defensive Security, and/or Security Monitoring.
  

Technical

Practical understanding, skills and experience with the following will be helpful although not mandatory:

• Technical report writing;
  
• Research (e.g. Searching for and distilling information, note taking, problem solving, critical thinking, communicating results, time management);
  
• Operating Systems (e.g. Linux, Windows, Android);
  
• Networking (e.g. Routing and Switching, VLANs, firewalls);
  
• Protocols (e.g., TCP/IP, MODBUS, Profinet, CIP, S7, Zigbee, CANBUS, Bluetooth);
  
• Common Cyber Security Tools (e.g. Wireshark, Nmap, Nessus, Splunk, Metasploit, Burp Suite etc.)
  
• Data Science / Analytics
  
• AI, machine learning, LLMs, Neural networks, and unsupervised machine learning such as clustering and anomaly detection;
  
• Coding (e.g. Python, C++, Java, R, Rust);
  
• Google Workspace;
  

Behavioural

• The ability to listen, understand and communicate information verbally, textually and diagrammatically;
  
• The desire to work in a technical research environment;
  
• Motivation to develop yourself academically, technically and personally;
  
• An interest in finding and developing creative solutions to complex problems;
  
• Ability to work relatively autonomously with minimal supervision;
  
• Natural curiosity to discover new things and explore new avenues;
  
• Willingness to travel and engage with people;
  
• Professional level of written and speaking English skills. Other languages are a bonus.
  

SECURITY CLEARANCE: You will be subject to a BPSS (Baseline Personnel Security Standard) check. You may also need to gain UK SC-level Security Clearance or Export Control, depending on the role.

Contact

Please let us know if you need us to make any adjustments to allow you to access and participate fully in the recruitment process. If you wish to discuss this further please contact us. Any information disclosed will be treated in the strictest confidence.

#UK_PLA

This job requires an awareness of any potential compliance risks and a commitment to act with integrity, as the foundation for the Company’s success, reputation and sustainable growth.

Company:
Airbus Operations Limited

Employment Type:
Internship
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Experience Level:
Student

Job Family:
Cyber Security

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Airbus is committed to achieving workforce diversity and creating an inclusive working environment. We welcome all applications irrespective of social and cultural background, age, gender, disability, sexual orientation or religious belief.

Airbus is, and always has been, committed to equal opportunities for all. As such, we will never ask for any type of monetary exchange in the frame of a recruitment process. Any impersonation of Airbus to do so should be reported to emsom@airbus.com .

At Airbus, we support you to work, connect and collaborate more easily and flexibly. Wherever possible, we foster flexible working arrangements to stimulate innovative thinking.