Research Computing Storage Administrator

Corehr; Oxford; Hybrid; GBP 52,000 - 76,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid and flexible working

Cycle loan scheme

Discounted bus travel

Rental Deposit Loan Scheme

Job summary

University of Oxford is establishing a new Research Computing Storage team. The role maintains and develops storage foundations for HPC/HTC clusters, TRM, and Research File Service, ensuring secure, efficient data movement across platforms.

You will own storage services, work with OxRC and information governance colleagues to solve complex challenges, and enable researchers with scalable, high-performance storage for AI workloads.

Qualifications

• Degree-level qualification or equivalent experience in a research computing environment.
• Extensive experience managing large-scale storage platforms in HPC/HTC environments.
• Experience with parallel filesystems (Scale/GPFS, Lustre, WEKA) and object/block storage (NetApp ONTAP, Ceph).
• Strong Linux administration skills; scripting in Python, Bash or similar.

Responsibilities

• Maintain, improve and integrate storage services supporting HPC/HTC clusters and the Trusted Research Environment.
• Shape storage services for evolving research computing, data movement and secure data access.
• Collaborate across OxRC, information security and governance to tackle complex storage challenges.
• Develop controlled dataflows and Globus-based services to support compliant research data handling.

Skills

Linux administration

Scripting (Python/Bash)

High-speed networking knowledge

Technical writing/communication

Education

Degree-level qualification (or equivalent)

Tools

Scale/GPFS

Lustre

WEKA

NetApp ONTAP

Ceph/CephFS

Globus data transfer

Job description

UK date and time: 24-September-2026 11:59

Research Computing Storage Administrator

Digital and Information Services, Central Oxford

Help shape the storage infrastructure that enables researchers across the University to work securely and effectively with large-scale, data-intensive computing. This is an exciting opportunity for a self-directed Research Computing Storage Administrator to contribute to a new unit being established at the University, bringing specialist storage and Linux expertise to help shape an evolving research computing service spanning HPC, HTC, research data and emerging AI platforms.

Location

Central Oxford / Begbroke Science Park

Contract

Full Time, Fixed Term Contract until 31 July 2029, with the expectation of extension, subject to funding

About Us

Spanning the historic streets of the “city of dreaming spires”, the University of Oxford has been ranked the world's leading university for ten consecutive years. A place where centuries of tradition meet world-changing innovation, we offer you the chance to shape the future while working in an inspiring environment that promotes excellence. Here, you’ll contribute to an organisation which delivers ground-breaking research that tackles global challenges - from advancing sustainability to pioneering healthcare solutions - and join a diverse, inclusive community that champions your wellbeing, development, and aspirations.

What We Offer

Working at the University of Oxford offers several exclusive benefits, such as:

38 days of annual leave (inclusive of public holidays) to support your wellbeing, with the option to purchase up to 10 extra days and additional leave after long service.

One of the most generous family leave schemes in UK higher education, offering up to 26 weeks of full-pay maternity and adoption leave, plus 12 weeks of full-pay paternity/partner leave.

A commitment to hybrid and flexible working to suit your lifestyle.

Affordable and sustainable commuting options, including a cycle loan scheme, discounted bus travel, and season ticket loans.

Access to a vibrant community through our social, cultural, and sports clubs.

A Rental Deposit Loan Scheme for eligible new employees to access an interest-free loan to help cover the cost of a rental deposit in Oxford.

About the Role

This new Research Computing Storage Administrator role will help develop the storage foundations of the University’s evolving research computing environment. You will maintain, improve and integrate storage services supporting established HPC and HTC clusters alongside the developing Trusted Research Environment and Research File Service, helping researchers move, manage and use data securely across increasingly complex computing platforms.

The role will suit a self-directed technical specialist who is comfortable taking ownership, applying their judgement and helping to shape services as the new unit develops. Working with technical specialists across OxRC and colleagues in information security, information governance and research teams, you will tackle complex storage challenges and contribute expertise across technologies including parallel filesystems, Ceph-based storage, Linux, high-speed networking and data movement. You will also help develop controlled dataflows, including Globus-based services, and support the evidence, documentation and guidance needed for secure and compliant research data services.

Joining OxRC at this stage provides a distinctive opportunity to influence how research storage services are developed and integrated from an early point in the unit’s evolution. Your technical expertise and initiative will help create resilient, scalable storage capabilities for data-intensive research and emerging AI workloads, while contributing to the University’s ambition for a more unified research computing environment.

As this role supports ongoing strategic priorities, we are keen to appoint someone who can begin contributing within a relatively short timeframe and would welcome applications from candidates who are available to start promptly.

About You

You’ll bring:

• A degree-level qualification, or demonstrably equivalent experience, in a research computing environment.
• Extensive experience managing large-scale storage platforms in a comparable environment, including high-performance parallel filesystems such as Scale/GPFS, Lustre or WEKA.
• Experience administering bulk block, file or object storage platforms, such as NetApp ONTAP, Ceph or CephFS.
• Strong Linux system administration and troubleshooting expertise, preferably in RHEL-based environments, including scripting skills using Python, Bash or similar.
• Familiarity with high-speed Ethernet operating systems such as Cumulus or SONiC, and NVIDIA InfiniBand technologies.
• Knowledge of commonly used storage protocols, including NFS, SMB and S3.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain complex technical concepts clearly to stakeholders from different backgrounds.