Systems Administration Apprenticeship

The University of Edinburgh; City of Edinburgh; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 29,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Edinburgh is offering a two-year Systems Specialist apprenticeship within the Edinburgh Parallel Computing Centre. This full-time role involves providing support and administration for advanced computing systems, ideal for candidates pursuing a degree in computing or IT. Apprentices will receive training and mentorship in a collaborative environment, contributing to cutting-edge research and technology.

Benefits

Generous holiday entitlement

Defined benefits pension scheme

Staff discounts

Family-friendly initiatives

Flexible work options

Qualifications

• Vocational qualifications or progress towards a degree in computing or IT.
• Interest in emerging technologies and problem-solving.
• Excellent communication and organisational skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide infrastructure deployment and support for systems.
• Assist in system administration and cybersecurity tasks.
• Resolve user queries and incidents.

Skills

Interest in emerging computer technologies

Knowledge of operating systems

Problem-solving skills

Organisational skills

Communication skills

Education

Vocational qualifications (N/SVQ 2/3, ONC or equivalent)

Progress towards a relevant degree in computing or IT

Tools

Linux server administration

Shell scripting

Ansible

Kubernetes

Wazuh

Job description

Grade UE04:£25,733 - £28,381 per annum

College of Science & Engineering / Edinburgh Parallel Computing Centre (EPCC)

Full-time: 35 hours per week

Fixed-term: 24 months

EPCC is offering the opportunity to join our team for a two-year Systems Specialist apprenticeship.

The Opportunity:

EPCC is the UK’s leading centre for supercomputing and data science service provision. We host and manage a unique collection of leading-edge systems such as the UK’s national supercomputing service (ARCHER2) and the Edinburgh International Data Facility (EIDF). We provide researchers and industry with a range of services including high performance computing, powerful private cloud-based virtual desktops, AI-capable GPU and Cerebras wafer-scale clusters and highly secure data storage and analysis capability for trusted research environments.

Our apprentices join the small and friendly Systems team within EPCC that provides infrastructure deployment and support, system administration, cybersecurity and operations functions for the systems hosted at the University of Edinburgh's Advanced Computing Facility (ACF), a secure state-of-the-art data centre located at the Bush Estate on the outskirts of Edinburgh.

EPCC has a long and successful history of providing apprenticeships and is committed to providing training, development and coaching to enable apprentices to succeed in their studies and early careers.

Apprenticeships are full time (35 hours per week), including up to one day per week study allowance, and are most suitable for candidates wishing to complete a degree in the field of Computing and IT as a Graduate Apprentice. Apprentices are based at the ACF and the Bayes Centre in the University of Edinburgh’s central campus.

Your skills and attributes for success:

• Vocational qualifications (N/SVQ 2/3, ONC or equivalent) and/or at least two years’ progress towards a relevant degree in computing or IT.
• A keen interest in emerging computer technologies, and an enthusiasm for broadening knowledge about computing, IT, data centres, networks, cybersecurity, etc.
• A good, demonstrable working knowledge of managing different operating systems and support in a networked environment, and interest in developing skills in, e.g., Linux server administration, shell scripting, slurm, Ansible, Kubernetes, Wazuh.
• An enthusiasm for learning and applying specialist skills to solve technically complex problems and generate innovative solutions to operational and development challenges.
• A commitment to providing outstanding service to users and colleagues, resolving queries and incidents and driving continual improvement in operational processes, including use of automation.
• Excellent organisational and task management skills to balance work and study commitments, and drive to independently follow tasks through to successful completion while responding positively to changes in priorities.
• Excellent communication, collaborative and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams, including technical,academic and research colleagues.

Click here to view a copy of the full job description (opens in a new tab).

As a valued member of our team you can expect:

• A competitive salary of £25,733 - £28,381 per annum.
• An exciting, positive, creative, challenging and rewarding place to work.
• To be part of a diverse and vibrant international community.
• Comprehensive Staff Benefits, such as a generous holiday entitlement, a defined benefits pension scheme, staff discounts, family-friendly initiatives, and flexible work options. Check out the full list on ourstaff benefits page (opens in a new tab) and use our reward calculator to discover the total value of your pay and benefits.

Championing equality, diversity and inclusion

The University of Edinburgh holds a Silver Athena SWAN award in recognition of our commitment to advance gender equality in higher education. We are members of the Race Equality Charter and we are also Stonewall Scotland Diversity Champions, actively promoting LGBT equality.

Prior to any employment commencing with the University you will be required to evidence your right to work in the UK. Further information is available on ourright to work webpages (opens new browser tab).

On this occasion the University will not consider applicants requiring sponsorship for this role. International workers will therefore only be able to take up this role if they can demonstrate an alternative right to work in the UK.

Key dates to note

The closing date for applications is5 June 2025.

Unless stated otherwise the closing time for applications is 11:59pm GMT. If you are applying outside the UK the closing time on our adverts automatically adjusts to your browsers local time zone.