Linux Engineer DANS

KNAW (Nederlandse Akademie van Wetenschappen); Den Haag; Hybrid; EUR 60.000 - 80.000; Full time

Job summary

A research organization in The Hague is seeking a Linux Engineer to ensure the smooth operation of data services. The role involves system administration, development, and automation using modern technologies. Candidates should have solid knowledge of Linux, Ansible, and cloud services, and be fluent in Dutch and English. The position offers a competitive salary and a supportive work environment, with opportunities for personal development.

Benefits

8% vacation allowance

8.3% year-end bonus

Travel allowance

Home working allowance

Pension accrual with ABP

Extra days off option

Qualifications

• Extensive knowledge of Linux and cloud infrastructure.
• Experience in development and automation tasks.
• Ability to translate client needs into ICT solutions.

Responsibilities

• Ensure smooth operations between platforms and services.
• Maintain and secure Linux and cloud infrastructure.
• Assess and mitigate security issues.

Skills

Linux (RHEL/Ubuntu)

Ansible

Docker

Terraform/OpenTofu

Kubernetes

BASH

Python

Education

Completed higher professional or academic education in a relevant IT field

Tools

Zabbix monitoring

Job description

Do you believe that science should be transparent and accessible? Should research data be open and reusable? Would you like to contribute to open science at both national and European levels? If so, we invite you to join us!

Linux Engineer at DANS

What will you be doing?

As part of our ICT Support Team, you will ensure smooth operations between platform service providers, operational systems, and our developers. Independence is key: you will take responsibility for deployments, operational testing, and the overall availability and usability of DANS data services and APIs.

In this role, approximately 80% of your time will be devoted to system administration tasks: maintaining, securing, and optimising our Linux and cloud infrastructure. The remaining 20% of your time will be focused on development and automation, for example by writing scripts, setting up CI/CD processes, or implementing Infrastructure as Code using Ansible and Terraform/OpenTofu, and potentially exploring “serverless” implementations in the future.

You will work in a technically strong team that continuously seeks improvements in reliability, scalability, and security. You will assess, implement, and mitigate security issues, and ensure the proper use and specifications of encrypted storage for data deposits. In addition, you will take care of daily maintenance and support.

What will you bring to the table?

For this challenging position, we are looking for an enthusiastic professional with a completed higher professional or academic education in a relevant IT field, or with proven knowledge and experience in this area.

You have extensive knowledge of:

• Linux (RHEL/Ubuntu)
• Ansible
• Docker
• Terraform/OpenTofu
• Kubernetes
• BASH
• Python

It is an advantage if you have experience with:

• Hardware management
• Storage
• Network security
• Cloud technologies
• Zabbix monitoring

Who are you?

Customer-oriented and an excellent communicator, you can translate client needs into effective ICT solutions. Fluent in both Dutch and English, spoken and written, you combine a goal- and solution-oriented mindset with a hands‑on mentality. Working independently suits you well, yet you also thrive in a team environment — ideally in collaboration with academically trained professionals.

What do we offer?

DANS provides a pleasant working environment, where a motivated and well‑cooperating group of research data experts and engineers is dedicated to Open Science and FAIR data. At DANS, we value initiative, expertise, result‑orientation, reliability and collaboration. We appreciate a lively atmosphere among colleagues and attach great importance to mutual knowledge exchange. Personal development is not forgotten, and employee satisfaction is high.

Where is your workplace?

DANS is located on Anna van Saksenlaan in The Hague, within walking distance of Laan van NOI station. It is possible to work partially (up to 50%) from home.

Who can you contact for more information?

For further information about the position, please contact Marc van Eersel at [e-mail].

About DANS

DANS is the national expertise centre and repository for research data. We help researchers make their data available for reuse. This allows researchers to use the data for new research and makes published research verifiable and reproducible. With over 300,000 datasets and a staff of fifty, DANS is one of the leading repositories in Europe. DANS is an institute of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW) and the Dutch Research Council (NWO). Working at DANS means working in an informal and international environment where colleagues with diverse backgrounds collaborate to achieve goals, and where people are given the opportunity and the confidence to fulfil their roles and develop as they see fit. Internally, we apply the same principles of our service: we are accessible, reliable and innovative.

Terms of employment

Depending on education and experience the minimum salary is € 3.546 to a maximum of € 5.538 gross per month for a fulltime employment (38 hours, scale 10 cao Nederlandse Universiteiten/KNAW). This is exclusive of 8% vacation allowance, 8.3% year-end bonus, travel allowance, internet allowance, home working allowance and pension accrual with ABP. Initially, it is a fixed‑term contract for one year with the possibility of a permanent contract.

The KNAW offers its staff an excellent package of secondary benefits. A package that meets the different needs of employees depending on their stage of life, lifestyle or career ambitions. For example, by working an extra two hours a week, it is possible to increase the number of days off from 29 to 41 days a year (with fulltime employment).

Applying for a Certificate of Good Conduct is part of the employment procedure.