M365 Security Engineer – Cloud Security (SC)

About the role

You will lead the security of a sophisticated Microsoft 365 estate for a nationally significant scientific research organisation. Working on‑site in Oxford three days a week, you will protect sensitive research data and ensure secure collaboration across the whole digital environment.

Key responsibilities

• Design, implement and maintain identity protection, access governance and cloud threat‑defence across Entra ID, Conditional Access, MFA, PIM and Microsoft Defender.
• Configure, monitor and optimise Microsoft Purview and related compliance services.
• Investigate complex security incidents, conduct deep forensics and remediate threats.
• Collaborate with cyber‑security, infrastructure, networking and service‑delivery teams to embed security into new services.
• Document security standards, policies and procedures and provide guidance to stakeholders.

Required profile

• Extensive hands‑on experience securing Microsoft 365 environments in complex or hybrid settings.
• Proven ability to diagnose, investigate and resolve advanced security issues.
• Strong communication skills and confidence to work autonomously with senior technical and business partners.

Required skills

• Microsoft 365 security
• Entra ID (Azure AD)
• Conditional Access
• Multi‑Factor Authentication (MFA)
• Privileged Identity Management (PIM)
• Microsoft Defender for Cloud Apps
• Microsoft Purview
• Identity protection and access governance

What we offer

• £500 per day (Inside IR35) – visible salary
• Hybrid working model – 3 days on‑site, 2 days remote
• 6‑month contract with potential extension to 12 months or beyond
• Opportunity to contribute to high‑impact national research projects