Senior Research Systems Administrator

Corehr; Oxford; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

38 days annual leave

Family leave schemes (up to 26 weeks +

Hybrid/flexible working

Cycle loan and travel discounts

Rental Deposit Loan Scheme

Vibrant community clubs

Job summary

University of Oxford is seeking a Senior Research Systems Administrator to shape a University-wide research computing service. You will combine Linux expertise with HPC/HTC, container and AI technologies to build reliable platforms and influence service evolution.

You will join Oxford Research Computing (OxRC) as the service develops, engaging with researchers and technical colleagues to deliver secure, scalable infrastructure and practical solutions across Linux/Unix, Kubernetes, and networking.

Qualifications

• Degree-level qualification with computing/IT component.
• Significant experience designing, implementing and supporting Linux-based infrastructure.
• Experience scripting with Python or Bash to automate tasks.
• Experience deploying containerised platforms using Kubernetes or similar tools.
• Experience with HPC/HTC systems and job schedulers.
• Experience with IaC tools (e.g., Ansible) to automate provisioning.
• Proven ability to design, secure and improve complex IT services.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop, operate and continually improve Linux-based research computing infrastructure (HPC/HTC, AI services).
• Engage with researchers and IT colleagues to translate research needs into practical technical solutions across Linux, Kubernetes, storage and networking.
• Automate provisioning and management using IaC and tools like Ansible and Kubernetes.
• Provide training and community engagement to enable researchers to use advanced computing effectively.

Skills

Linux admin

Kubernetes

Python

Bash

HPC/HTC

Infrastructure as Code

IT service design

Communication

Education

Degree in computing or IT

Tools

Ansible

Kubernetes

Job schedulers

Infrastructure as Code

Job description

UK date and time: 24-September-2026 12:45

Digital and Information Services, Central Oxford

Would you like to use your systems expertise to help shape a new University-wide research computing service from its foundations?

As Senior Research Systems Administrator, you will combine deep Linux expertise with HPC, HTC, container and AI technologies to develop reliable research computing platforms, with the autonomy to influence how the service evolves as it becomes established.

Location: Central Oxford / Begbroke Science Park

Contract: Full Time, Fixed Term 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.

IT Services and the Digital Governance Unit help provide the digital foundations on which the University's research, education and administration depend. Within this environment, Oxford Research Computing (OxRC) is an evolving service bringing together research computing infrastructure and expertise from across the University, providing High-Performance Computing (HPC), High-Throughput Computing (HTC), research data and emerging artificial intelligence (AI) services. Its work gives researchers access to the specialist computing capability they need to pursue complex, data-intensive and computationally demanding research.

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

As Senior Research Systems Administrator, you will help develop, operate and continuously improve complex Linux-based research computing infrastructure, spanning established HPC and HTC platforms and emerging AI and GPU-enabled services. Your technical expertise will help ensure these services remain secure, resilient and effective as research requirements and technologies evolve.

You will be joining OxRC as this new University-wide research computing service is being established and developed. This creates particular scope for a self-directed systems professional to contribute not only to the technology, but also to how the service evolves: identifying improvements, helping establish effective ways of working and applying your expertise to emerging requirements. You will engage with researchers and technical colleagues across the University, turning scientific and computational requirements into practical solutions across technologies including Linux/Unix, Kubernetes, Infrastructure as Code, compute, storage and networking.

This is a role for someone who wants their infrastructure expertise to have a direct connection to research and who values the scope to shape a developing service. You will contribute to platform development, automation, service improvement and specialist support, while helping researchers use advanced computing effectively through training and community engagement.

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 will bring:

• A degree-level qualification in a relevant discipline with a significant computing or information technology component, or equivalent professional knowledge and substantial practical experience.


• Significant experience designing, implementing and supporting complex Linux-based infrastructure and services, including independently troubleshooting complex technical issues.


• Experience using scripting, such as Python or BASH, to automate systems administration and improve service delivery.


• Experience designing, deploying and operating containerised computing platforms using Kubernetes or equivalent container orchestration technologies.


• Experience with HPC and HTC systems and software, including technologies such as job schedulers.


• Experience using Infrastructure as Code approaches and tools, such as Ansible, to automate infrastructure provisioning and management.


• Experience contributing to the design, implementation, security and continuous improvement of complex IT services.


• Strong communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to work independently, respond positively to changing requirements and translate research needs into effective technical solutions.

The closing date for applications is 12 noon on Monday 12th October 2026. Interviews will take place as soon as possible thereafter.