Senior System Administrator/Operations

The University of Manchester

The University is a global institution known for innovation and world firsts, with 25 Nobel Prize winners. The computer revolution started here in 1948 when a machine known affectionately as ‘The Baby’, ran its first stored program. The celebrated wartime codebreaker Alan Turing worked on this computer during his time at Manchester.

The University has committed to becoming one of the world’s leading research institutions through one of the largest investments in facilities ever seen at a UK university, with £750 million spent so far and another £1 billion to follow.

Research IT (RIT) and the Research Platforms Team

The research community at the University carries out world-leading research in many areas — beacons include advanced materials, industrial biotechnology and cancer treatments. RIT is a fast growing, can-do group within IT Services (ITS) which delivers specialist, e-research capabilities which are critical to the success of that research.

This role is within the Research Platforms Team, around 25 technical IT specialists — and growing — many with a research background themselves. We develop and support e-infrastructure platforms for the University research community including: high-throughput (HTCondor) and high-performance (HPC) computing; a dedicated research VM platform; data management and storage; edge computing; and highly-secure platforms for hosting/processing sensitive data. Provision is via both on-site hardware and use of off-site, commercial cloud resources (e.g., AWS).

About This Role

The successful candidate will focus on the development and support of the research VM platform, our edge compute service and potentially HTCondor. In particular:

• provisioning of mainly Linux, but also some MS Windows, VMs and template creation;
• operational maintenance and security of VMs, and user support;
• design, build and operational support of dedicated, computational and data storage edge compute platforms for individual research groups;
• development and operational support of our HTCondor service (https://ri.itservices.manchester.ac.uk/htccondor/).

It is expected that the role will be approximately: 50% technical; 50% user support and engagement with the research community. To find out more you are strongly encouraged to contact simon.hood@manchester.ac.uk.

You Will Have — Essential:

• Previous relevant work experience.
• An in-depth knowledge of the Linux operating system, including administration and support.
• A good working knowledge of: data storage protocols (e.g., NFS, SMB); networking (TCP/IP, firewalls, routing); VMs and containers (e.g., Apptainer/Singularity).
• Experience of using at least one high-level programming language (e.g., BASH, Perl or Python).
• The ability to work as an effective part of a team and to establish productive relationships with academics, researchers, technical and non-technical IT staff and research support staff.
• Enthusiasm and initiative: the capacity to anticipate problems and find solutions; the ability to see opportunities and take advantage of them; and a can-do approach to work as it arises.
• Good communication and presentation skills.
• A keen appetite to learn new skills and technologies.

You will Have — Desirable:

• A good working knowledge of the MS Windows operating system, including administration and support.
• Experience working within an academic research environment.
• An understanding of the storage and computational infrastructure and capability of at least one major cloud provider.
• Experience using (or administering) a HTC (or HPC) platform.
• Experience in stakeholder management and engagement in providing services.

Benefits

• 29 days annual leave allowance, plus Christmas/New Year closure.
• Pension scheme membership.
• Hybrid working (the team is usually on campus 2 or 3 days a week).
• Well-being programme including fitness and sports facilities.
• Learning and development opportunities.
• Season ticket loans for public transport.
• Cycle to Work Scheme.
• Workplace nursery scheme.
• Staff recognition schemes.
• Staff discounts on a range of products and services including travel and high street savings.

For more information, visit https://www.manchester.ac.uk/connect/jobs/benefits-working-here/.

As an equal opportunities employer we welcome applicants from all sections of the community regardless of age, sex, gender (or gender identity), ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation and transgender status. All appointments are made on merit.

Our University is positive about flexible working – you can find out more here

Hybrid working arrangements may be considered.

Please note that we are unable to respond to enquiries, accept CVs or applications from Recruitment Agencies.

Any recruitment enquiries from recruitment agencies should be directed to People.Recruitment@manchester.ac.uk.

Any CVs submitted by a recruitment agency will be considered a gift.

Enquiries about the vacancy, shortlisting and interviews:

Name: Simon Hood

Email: Simon.Hood@manchester.ac.uk

General enquiries:

Email: People.recruitment@manchester.ac.uk

Technical support:

https://jobseekersupport.jobtrain.co.uk/support/home

This vacancy will close for applications at midnight on the closing date.

Please see the link below for the Further Particulars document which contains the person specification criteria.