Fall 2025 - Student Opportunities in Cryptography

Salary:  $23.27-$37.77

Closing date: 2025-01-22

Reference number: RF-12655

About CSE

The Communications Security Establishment (CSE) is Canada’s agency responsible for foreign signals intelligence, cyber operations and cyber security. Learn more about our mission.

Student positions at CSE are unlike most others. We offer both practical and developmental work experience and allow students to be part of meaningful, exciting, projects, with the hope that they will want to join us full-time following their studies.

CSE is committed to fostering a culture of equity, diversity and inclusion. This isn’t just an ideal, it’s crucial to our mission. Find out about our workplace culture, including our diversity and inclusion initiatives.

Become part of our team and you’ll understand why CSE is the most important organization you’ve never heard of.

Job summary

Cryptography

 

We are currently looking for students to work in a dynamic, innovative operational environment, be part of a team applying your analytical and problem-solving skills to a variety of problems in support of the SIGINT and Cyber missions.

 

Students will be mentored by and working alongside our Cryptanalysts and Crypto-Scientists at CSE.  You will assist in one or more of the following functions:

·        Operations, developing and maintaining cryptographic capabilities and using them to support Government of Canada Intelligence and Cyber Defense requirements.

·        Cryptologic research, design, develop, assess, and attack cryptographic algorithms and protocols.

 

We are looking for students from a variety of backgrounds who:

·        Are creative and critical thinkers who love solving problems;

·        Have an interest in learning more about cryptography and cryptographic protocols;

·        Are committed, resilient and tenacious in the face of adversity;

·        Want to be part of a great team that delivers results for the Government of Canada and Canadians.

 

Salary

To find out more about our student salary scale visit the Compensation page on our website.

Area of selection

Open to Canadian citizens.

 

Location

Ottawa, Ontario.  All jobs require full-time onsite presence in one of our two accessible facilities.

Learn more about where we work.

 

Conditions of employment

A valid Enhanced Reliability Status (ERS) or an Enhanced Top Secret (ETS) security clearance is a condition of employment that must be met before an offer can be made.

For more information about our hiring process, visit our hiring process and security page on our website.

Essential qualifications

In order to be considered, your cover letter must clearly explain how you meet the following education and experience requirements.

Education

You must be registered as a 2nd, 3rd, 4th year or full-time graduate student in a recognized post-secondary program in Canada in a field related to the position, such as (but not limited to): Mathematics, Computer Science, Statistics, Physics or Engineering (e.g. Computer, Software, Electrical) with a strong math background, and with experience in coding.

 

Note: The educational program must be recognized in Canada, and you must be able to provide a transcript from your most recent term. Students graduating prior to, or during, the work term are not eligible to apply.

 

Experience

Experience with any of the following is essential:

·        Researching and analyzing diverse information to solve problems.

·        Experience coding using a language such as Python or C++.

·        Experience communicating the results of your work to various stakeholders (e.g. peers, supervisors) verbally and in writing.

·        Experience designing, programming or testing algorithms in a variety of domains such as algebra, discrete math, computational number theory, probability and statistics, combinatorics, or cryptography.

·        Experience communicating the results of your work to a variety of audiences (e.g. peers, working groups, supervisors, etc.)

 

Competencies

The following technical, behavioural and leadership competencies will be assessed at a later date. You do not need to include information about them in your application. 

Technical competencies

1.      Knowledge and Application of a Field of Mathematics, Computer Science, Physics or Engineering

Undergraduate level

·        Basic understanding of existing theories, principles and concepts

·        Under guidance, implement existing techniques and/or tools

Masters level

·        General understand of existing theories, principles and concepts (in order to interpret them

·        Investigate applicability of existing theories, principles, concepts, techniques and tools to mission problems.

·        General understanding technical papers and applies relevant concepts.

·        Implement existing scientific techniques and/or tools.

·        Contribute to original research

PhD level

·        Advanced understanding of advanced existing theories, principles and concepts in order to interpret them.

·        Integrate a variety of scientific concepts and possibly incorporates novel applications when addressing mission problems.

·        Build upon existing scientific techniques and/or tools.

·        Conduct original research.

 

2.      Cryptography and Cryptanalysis

·        Apply mathematics and skills to find vulnerabilities in cryptographic primitives, protocols and implementations.

Behavioural competencies

·        Cognitive thinking skills

·        Interactive Communication

Leadership competencies

·        Change and Innovation

·        Collaboration

Assets

Assets are “nice-to-have” expertise and skills we’re interested in. You will not be eliminated if you do not meet or possess these qualifications. However, if you do have them, they may be used to identify which team you could best complement.

Please demonstrate on your application if you meet or possess the asset education or asset experience listed below.

Asset experience

Experience with the following would be an asset but not necessary:

·        Experience with mathematical programming, including use of C, C++ or Python or software packages such as Sage, Maple, Mathematica;

·        Experience with network protocols, and protocol analysis tools such as Wireshark;

·        Experience in Cyber Security principles and practices;

·        Experience in post quantum cryptography and or quantum information theory;

How to apply

You may submit your candidacy online by selecting “Apply” at the top or bottom of this page.

If you cannot apply online or have a disability preventing you from applying online, please inform us by email at students-etudiants@cse-cst.gc.ca prior to the closing date of this selection process.

Important information

The process will be conducted in the official language of your choice.

To address CSE’s current representation gaps, priority may be given to persons who self-declare as belonging to the following designated employment equity groups: women; Indigenous peoples, including First Nations who are status, or registered and non-status, or non-registered, Inuit and Métis; persons with disabilities, including people with a mental health condition and neurodivergent people; and persons from racial or ethnic groups. 

Please note the Employment Equity Act, which is under review, uses the terminology Aboriginal peoples and visible minorities.

CSE offers an assessment process that will accommodate any reasonable measures you require to be assessed in a fair and equitable manner. Those measures are available to all candidates during our processes. Information you provide will be addressed confidentially.

All communications with CSE relating to this process, including email messages and telephone conversations, may be used in the assessment of qualifications.

We thank you for your interest in CSE. However, only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.