Location: London, with time split across two locations in Central and West London (Zones 1 and 2)
Salary: £40,428 rising to £43,705 after 1 year
Flexible working: throughout most of the five-and-a-half‑year programme, you’ll be able to benefit from flexitime and compressed hours, subject to business need. However, during the initial four‑month training period, you will need to follow fixed full‑time hours (36 hours per week, Monday to Friday). Remote, hybrid or home working are not possible in this role.
MI5 keeps the country safe from serious threats like terrorism and attempts by states to harm the UK, its people and way of life. We carry out investigations by obtaining, analysing and assessing intelligence, and then work with a range of partners, including MI6 and GCHQ to disrupt these threats. Through our protective security arm, we provide advice and guidance to government, businesses and other organisations about how to keep themselves safe. A role in MI5 means you’ll do unique and challenging work in a supportive and encouraging environment, making a real difference to UK national security.
Can you see yourself working in a supportive team, exploring complex information and turning it into insight that helps protect the UK? On our five-and-a-half-year Intelligence and Data Analyst Development Programme (I&DADP), you’ll develop the skills, confidence and experience needed to become a fully trained Intelligence and Data Analyst – and play your part in safeguarding national security. You’ll grow through structured training, hands-on analytical work and meaningful, mission-focused tasks that contribute to real investigations.
To join the programme, you must either have: at least one year of full‑time work experience where you have developed and applied the core skills needed for analysis, or a 2:1 degree (or equivalent) where your studies involved working with or interpreting data in a structured way. You don’t need to be a trained analyst – nobody arrives with the full skillset – but you will need certain abilities. If you can spot patterns, solve problems, and make sound, evidence-based decisions, you could thrive here. If you’re curious, able to communicate your thinking clearly, and collaborate well with colleagues to build a shared understanding, then you’ve got the foundations we’re looking for; the programme will teach you the rest.
Across the five-and-a-half-years, you’ll complete an intensive four‑month training period, followed by a two to two-and-a-half‑year analysis delivery posting, and rotate through one or two further posts that deepen your experience and technical capability. You’ll learn how to work with different types of data, uncover patterns that others might miss, develop coding and querying skills, and help investigative colleagues understand threats, risks and opportunities. Throughout, you’ll be supported by managers, development partners and a cohort who learn and develop alongside you.
Before you register:
You must be a British citizen or hold dual British nationality. If you’re successful at the end of the recruitment process, you’ll need to undergo Developed Vetting and comply with our no drugs policy. You must complete your registration, application and all recruitment processes from within the UK. See our website for full eligibility details. Finally, we recommend that you familiarise yourself with our guidance on the use of artificial intelligence tools in applications.
The I&DADP application window opens at 3pm on Monday 27 April 2026. This programme is expected to attract significant interest and may close within a short time frame, so early applications are encouraged.
Register your interest
We’re inviting people from Black, Asian or other ethnic minority backgrounds to register their interest, as these groups are currently under-represented in our workforce.
Please note: a registration of interest does not constitute a job application and has no impact on the recruitment process. Anyone who registers and later decides to apply will need to complete an application form once the application window opens. We welcome applications from everyone and assess solely on merit.
