Research Computing Storage Administrator

University of Oxford; Oxford; Hybrid; GBP 52,000 - 76,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Pension scheme

Cycle loan scheme

Leave benefits

Job summary

University of Oxford IT Services invites applications for a Research Computing Storage Administrator to help develop storage foundations for the evolving computing environment. You will maintain, improve and integrate storage services supporting HPC/HTC clusters, the Trusted Research Environment and Research File Service, enabling researchers to move and manage data securely.

You will work with specialists across OxRC and colleague teams to tackle storage challenges, contribute expertise in

Qualifications

• A degree-level qualification or equivalent experience in a research computing environment.
• Extensive experience managing large-scale storage platforms (Scale/GPFS, Lustre or WEKA).
• Experience administering bulk block, file or object storage (NetApp ONTAP, Ceph, CephFS).
• Strong Linux system administration and scripting skills (Python, Bash) in RHEL-based environments.
• Familiarity with high-speed networking and storage protocols (NFS, SMB, S3).

Responsibilities

• Maintain, improve and integrate storage services for HPC/HTC clusters and Trust Environment.
• Develop data workflows and secure data movement using Globus-based services.
• Collaborate with information security, governance and research teams to meet compliance.

Skills

High-performance computing experience

Linux system administration

Scripting (Python/Bash)

Strong communication

Education

Degree-level qualification or equivalent

Tools

Scale/GPFS

Lustre

WEKA

NetApp ONTAP

Ceph/CephFS

NVIDIA InfiniBand

Cumulus/SONiC

Job description

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.

• 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. 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. IT Services and the Digital Governance Unit enable the University\'s research, education and administration through secure, reliable and continually improving digital services. Within this environment, Oxford Research Computing (OxRC) is being established to bring together infrastructure and technical expertise from across the University, supporting researchers through high-performance computing, high-throughput computing, research data services and artificial intelligence platforms. Joining at this formative stage offers the opportunity to contribute to how the new unit develops its services and builds a more integrated approach to research computing across the University.

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.
• An excellent contributory pension scheme.
• 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.