Systems Administrator (Infrastructure, Storage and Backup) for the IT, Scientific Computing and AI Area

CNIO - Spanish National Cancer Research Centre; Madrid; Hybrid; EUR 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Meal allowance

Transportation

Childcare

Job summary

CNIO - Spanish National Cancer Research Centre seeks an experienced Systems Administrator to run the infrastructure behind the centre’s research day to day, including petabyte-scale storage, backup and archive, and the Linux and Windows servers hosting internal and scientific applications.

You will join a growing team, work alongside senior colleagues, and have support from external specialists. The role carries real responsibility from the first months and room to own core systems as you grow.

Qualifications

• A university degree in computing, telecommunications or a related field, or Técnico Superior in systems administration, or equivalent.
• At least 3 years of hands-on server administration (not desktop support).
• Practical experience administering both Linux and Windows servers, including AD and file-share permissions.
• Practical experience with enterprise storage or with backup and restore.
• Scripting to automate routine tasks (e.g., Bash, Python or PowerShell).
• Spanish and English at professional working level.

Responsibilities

• Managing research storage: access and permissions for Windows and Linux users, quotas, new project spaces and restores.
• Operating backup and archive, including tape: daily checks, retention, archiving of scientific instrument data, restores and regular restore tests.
• Managing user accounts and access in Active Directory and Microsoft 365: joiners, movers and leavers, licences, mailboxes, shared mailboxes and distribution lists, access groups and service accounts.
• Maintaining Linux and Windows servers with their certificates and DNS records, and handling routine virtual machine requests.
• Automating repetitive work, writing clear procedures so the service desk can take first-line requests, and acting as second line for infrastructure incidents.

Skills

Server administration

Linux

Windows Server

Active Directory

Microsoft 365

Bash

PowerShell

Python

Documentation

Education

University degree in computing / telecommunications or Técnico Superior in systems administration

Tools

Active Directory

Microsoft 365

Tape backup systems

Job description

• Reference: SA26


• Start date: 13/10/2026 0:00:00


• Expiration Date: 11/11/2026 23:59:00

The IT, Scientific Computing and AI Area at the Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO) is looking for a systems administrator to run the infrastructure behind the centre’s research day to day: petabyte-scale research storage, backup and archive, and the Linux and Windows servers that host internal and scientific applications. You will join a growing team, working alongside senior colleagues in systems administration and scientific computing, with support from external specialists in networking and Microsoft 365. The role carries real responsibility from the first months and room to take ownership of core systems as you grow into it.

The Main Responsibilities Are

• Managing research storage: access and permissions for Windows and Linux users, quotas, new project spaces and restores.


• Operating backup and archive, including tape: daily checks, retention, archiving of scientific instrument data, restores and regular restore tests.


• Managing user accounts and access in Active Directory and Microsoft 365: joiners, movers and leavers, licences, mailboxes, shared mailboxes and distribution lists, access groups and service accounts.


• Maintaining Linux and Windows servers with their certificates and DNS records, and handling routine virtual machine requests.


• Automating repetitive work, writing clear procedures so the service desk can take first-line requests, and acting as second line for infrastructure incidents.

CNIO is one of Europe’s leading cancer research centres. Its research groups and core scientific units (genomics, proteomics, microscopy, cryo-electron microscopy, flow cytometry and others) generate large volumes of data, and the IT, Scientific Computing and AI Area runs the infrastructure that the centre’s research and administration depend on.

Selection Criteria

Required

• A university degree in computing, telecommunications or a related field, or a higher vocational qualification (Técnico Superior) in systems administration, or equivalent.


• At least 3 years of hands-on server administration (not desktop support).


• Practical experience administering both Linux and Windows servers, including Active Directory and file-share permissions.


• Practical experience with enterprise storage or with backup and restore.


• Scripting to automate routine tasks (for example Bash, Python or PowerShell).


• Spanish and English at professional working level.

Valued

• Experience with large-scale or multi-protocol file storage, tape and long-term data archiving.


• Microsoft 365 administration, particularly users, licences and Exchange Online mail.


• Virtualisation, automation and configuration management, monitoring, and certificate and DNS management.


• Knowledge of the Spanish National Security Framework (ENS) or ISO 27001, experience in research, university or hospital environments, and relevant certifications.

Selection Process

Candidates shortlisted on their CV will take a practical exercise and an interview, part of which is held in English. The final decision rests mainly on these two stages.

The CNIO Offers

• Incorporation into a Cancer Research Centre of excellence of international relevance.


• Gross annual salary between €45,000 and €65,000.


• Social benefits. Flexible compensation (health insurance, meals, transportation, childcare).


• Mentoring from senior colleagues from day one, and support for training and certification.


• Hybrid with 2 days on site in Madrid. The role needs regular on-site presence for physical equipment and media.


• Permanent contract.