Senior System Administrator/Operations

TN United Kingdom; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Senior System Administrator to join their innovative team in Manchester. This role focuses on developing and supporting research VM platforms and edge compute services, providing a balance of technical and user support. The successful candidate will work with cutting-edge technologies in a collaborative environment, contributing to projects that impact research across various fields. With a commitment to employee well-being and professional growth, this position offers a unique opportunity to be part of a forward-thinking institution dedicated to excellence in research and technology.

Benefits

29 days annual leave

Hybrid working

Well-being programs

Learning opportunities

Season ticket loans

Cycle schemes

Staff discounts

Qualifications

• In-depth knowledge of Linux OS and administration.
• Experience with high-level programming languages like Python.

Responsibilities

• Provisioning Linux and Windows VMs and creating templates.
• Maintaining and securing VMs, and supporting users.

Skills

Linux OS Administration

Networking (TCP/IP)

Data Storage Protocols (NFS, SMB)

High-level Programming (BASH, Perl, Python)

Problem-solving Skills

Communication Skills

Team Collaboration

Education

Relevant Work Experience

Tools

HTCondor

Apptainer/Singularity

Cloud Infrastructure

Job description

Senior System Administrator/Operations, Manchester

Client: The University of Manchester

Location: Manchester, United Kingdom

Job Category: Other

EU work permit required: Yes

Job Reference: f47cce8f2cb7

Job Views: 4

Posted: 02.05.2025

Expiry Date: 16.06.2025

Job Description:

The University of Manchester is a renowned global institution known for innovation, with 25 Nobel Prize winners. It has a rich history in computing, starting with the first stored program computer in 1948 and featuring work by Alan Turing.

The university invests heavily in research infrastructure, with over £750 million spent so far, aiming to be a leading research institution.

Research IT (RIT) and the Research Platforms Team: The team supports advanced research computing in areas like materials, biotechnology, and cancer treatments. It is a growing group of about 25 IT specialists, many with research backgrounds, developing and maintaining e-infrastructure platforms, including high-throughput and high-performance computing, data management, edge computing, and secure platforms for sensitive data, utilizing on-site hardware and cloud resources like AWS.

About This Role:

The successful candidate will focus on developing and supporting the research VM platform, edge compute services, and HTCondor. Responsibilities include:

• Provisioning Linux and Windows VMs and creating templates
• Maintaining and securing VMs, and supporting users
• Designing and supporting edge compute platforms for research groups
• Developing and supporting the HTCondor service

The role is approximately 50% technical and 50% user support and engagement. For more information, contact [email protected].

Essential Skills and Experience:

• Relevant work experience
• In-depth knowledge of Linux OS, including administration and support
• Knowledge of data storage protocols (NFS, SMB), networking (TCP/IP), VMs, and containers (e.g., Apptainer/Singularity)
• Experience with high-level programming languages (e.g., BASH, Perl, Python)
• Ability to work effectively in a team and establish relationships with various stakeholders
• Enthusiasm, initiative, problem-solving skills, and a proactive attitude
• Good communication and presentation skills
• Willingness to learn new skills and technologies

Desirable Skills and Experience:

• Knowledge of MS Windows OS administration
• Experience in an academic research environment
• Understanding of cloud infrastructure from major providers
• Experience with HTC or HPC platforms
• Stakeholder management experience

Benefits:

• 29 days annual leave plus Christmas/New Year closure
• Hybrid working (usually 2-3 days on campus)
• Well-being programs, learning opportunities, season ticket loans, cycle schemes, staff discounts, and more

For more information, visit https://www.manchester.ac.uk/connect/jobs/benefits-working-here/. The university is an equal opportunity employer and supports flexible working arrangements. Please note, applications from recruitment agencies are not accepted, and CV submissions by agencies are considered gifts.

For inquiries about the vacancy, visit https://jobseekersupport.jobtrain.co.uk/support/home. The vacancy closes at midnight on the closing date. Refer to the provided person specification criteria in the Further Particulars document.