Systems Administrator

Harvard University; Boston (MA); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off

Health insurance

Retirement plans

Wellbeing resources

Tuition assistance

Campus perks

Job summary

Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health is actively recruiting a System Administrator for the CBAR infrastructure team. The role supports Linux, Windows, and VMware environments and requires strong security and data-protection experience within regulated settings.

The position emphasizes disaster recovery planning, incident response, and system administration excellence, with a 35-hour workweek and hybrid on-site/remote work in the Boston area. Certification and training are encouraged.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience.
• 5+ years of relevant IT experience including 3+ years in systems administration.
• Experience maintaining and troubleshooting virtual server environments, security measures to protect data, software, and hardware, and familiarity with data security compliance standards such as NIST 800-53 and 21 CFR Part 11.
• Experience with Red Hat Linux, Windows Server/AD, VMware, Linux shell scripting, and analytics tools is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with the IT Infrastructure Team, maintaining Linux, Windows, and VMware environments and related networks.
• Plan and conduct infrastructure engineering duties across systems and configurations.
• Provide technical and project assistance across multiple projects.
• Support system security planning, coordination, and implementation to protect data and hardware.
• Contribute to disaster recovery, business continuity, and security solutions for CBAR computing environments.
• Monitor performance, create accounts, manage access, and perform maintenance and updates.

Skills

5+ years IT experience

3+ years in systems administration

Virtualization (VMware)

Security measures & data protection

NIST 800-53 & 21 CFR Part 11

RHCSA (preferred)

CompTIA Server+ (within 1 year)

Ansible

Jira

Education

Bachelor's Degree or equivalent experience

Tools

Red Hat Linux

Microsoft Windows Server/AD

VMware

Linux shell scripting

SAS/R/Python on research cluster

Ansible

Jira

Job description

• Union: 00 - Non Union, Exempt or Temporary
• Salary Grade: 057
• Department: Department of Information Technology
• FLSA Status: Exempt

Company Description

By working at Harvard University, you join a vibrant community that advances Harvard's world-changing mission in meaningful ways, inspires innovation and collaboration, and builds skills and expertise. We are dedicated to creating a diverse and welcoming environment where everyone can thrive.

Why join the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health?

The Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health is a world-renowned institution dedicated to advancing public health through cutting-edge research, education, and global collaboration. Our school is a special place to work because of its vibrant, mission-driven community, interdisciplinary approach, and commitment to addressing some of the most pressing health challenges worldwide. We foster a collaborative and inclusive work environment where innovation, continuous learning, and work-life balance are valued.

The Center for Biostatistics in AIDS Research (CBAR), an organization within the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, is responsible for the design, monitoring and statistical analysis of clinical trials and observational studies for several major national and international NIH-funded clinical research networks. CBAR employs over 100 statisticians, programmers, research scientists, faculty, and staff. CBAR provides statistical analysis for the world's largest network of AIDS Clinical Researchers. Currently this includes infectious disease networks such as: Advancing Clinical Therapeutics Globally for HIV/AIDS and Other Infections (ACTG), the International Maternal Pediatric Adolescent AIDS Clinical Trials Network (IMPAACT), and the Pediatric HIV/AIDS Cohort Study (PHACS). Results from studies have helped to establish the paradigm for the treatment and prevention of HIV and other infectious diseases, and contributed to international treatment and prevention guidelines. CBAR has a hybrid work environment which includes a combination of on-campus/in-person work and remote work.

The Center for Biostatistics in AIDS Research (CBAR) is actively recruiting a System Administrator position as part of the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health Infrastructure Team within the Department of Information Technology, providing state of the art computational expertise to the CBAR.

Job-Specific Responsibilities:

Job duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

• The System Administrator will collaborate with other members of the IT Infrastructure Team, maintaining and administering Linux, Windows, and VMware computer environments and related computing networks, including computer hardware, system software, applications software, networking, and all configurations.
• The System Administrator will plan and conduct comprehensive infrastructure engineering duties. The role will work as part of a team on building, configuration and maintenance across systems, and implement IT solutions to complex business problems.
• The System Administrator will provide technical and project assistance, and may work on multiple projects simultaneously.
• The System Administrator will support the planning, coordinating, and implementing of system security measures to protect data, software, and hardware.
• The System Administrator will also be involved in exciting new projects involving contributing to planning and orchestrating disaster recovery, compliance, business continuity, and security solutions for the CBAR computing environment. This is the ideal role for a person who enjoys planning, coordinating and implementing IT systems and cyber security measures to protect data, software and hardware.
• The System Administrator will also monitor the performance of, create accounts for, and maintain access to the CBAR computing environment, and will be responsible for performing routine system startup and shutdown procedures, applying patches, managing and installing packages, and performing updates and upgrades to maintain a stable environment (including performing data back-ups and disaster recovery operations). This position will assist with troubleshooting and resolving user/server issues promptly and with proper documentation. This includes working directly with users to solve computing problems.

PLEASE NOTE: This position has a term appointment of November 30, 2027 with the possibility of extension.

PLEASE NOTE: This position requires schedule flexibility to work longer hours when implementing and evaluating technology and, as necessary, to troubleshoot and resolve problems. This includes maintenance one Saturday each month.

PLEASE NOTE: Certifications in Red Hat Certified System Administrator (RHCSA) is preferred. Within one (1) year of hire, the finalist must obtain RHCSA and CompTia Server+ certification if they do not have it prior to hire. The costs will be paid for by the hiring department.

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications:

• Minimum of two years’ post-secondary education or relevant work experience

Additional Qualifications and Skills:

• Bachelor's Degree or equivalent experience
• 5+ years of relevant IT experience, including 3+ years in systems administration
• Experience maintaining and troubleshooting virtual server environments, experience with security measures to protect data, software, and hardware, and familiarity with data security compliance standards such as NIST 800-53 and 21 CFR Part 11
• Experience in the following technologies:
  • Red Hat Linux
  • Microsoft Windows Server and Active Directory
  • Virtualization (e.g., VMWare)
  • Linux shell scripting
  • Experience with statistical software (e.g., SAS, R, Python) on a research computing cluster is a plus
  • Experience with Ansible and Jira are a plus

Commitment to customer service, experience and/or comfort working in a demanding, fast-paced environment, keeping abreast of industry trends and changes in technologies, team-orientation and flexibility are all attributes of a successful applicant to this position.

Excellent interpersonal skills with aptitude to be empathetic toward coworkers and customers

Excellent oral and written communication skills

Experience working both independently and collaboratively as part of a team

Organized, attention to detail, self-starter, able to communicate complex IT and security concepts effectively with non-technical people

Certificates and Licenses:

• Certifications in Red Hat Certified System Administrator (RHCSA) and CompTia Server+ is required within 1 year of being hired if the person is not certified prior to being hired. The costs will be paid for by the hiring department.
• Completion of Harvard IT Academy specified foundational courses (or external equivalent) preferred

Additional Information

• Appointment End Date: November 30, 2027
• Standard Hours/Schedule: 35 hours per week
• Visa Sponsorship Information: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position
• Pre-Employment Screening: Identity, Education, Criminal.

Join the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health to support our mission of health research and education, and to be a part of the oldest institution of higher learning in the country!

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• The Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health does not provide visa sponsorship, now or in the future, for staff positions.
• Harvard University requires pre-employment reference checks and background screenings.
• This position has a 90day orientation and review period.

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The health of our workforce is a priority for Harvard University. With that in mind, we strongly encourage all employees to be up to date on CDC-recommended vaccines.

This position has been determined by school or unit leaders that some of the duties and responsibilities can be effectively performed at a non-Harvard location. The work schedule and location will be set by the department at its discretion and based upon operational needs. When not working at a Harvard or Harvard-designated location, employees in hybrid positions must work in a Harvard registered state in compliance with the University’s Policy on Employment Outside of Massachusetts . Additional details will be discussed during the interview process. Certain visa types and funding sources may limit work location. Individuals must meet work location sponsorship requirements prior to employment.

Salary Grade and Ranges

This position is salary grade level 057. Please visit Harvard's Salary Ranges to view the corresponding salary range and related information.

Harvard offers a comprehensive benefits package that is designed to support a healthy work-life balance and your physical, mental and financial wellbeing. Because here, you are what matters. Our benefits include, but are not limited to:

• Generous paid time off including parental leave
• Medical, dental, and vision health insurance coverage starting on day one
• Retirement plans with university contributions
• Wellbeing and mental health resources
• Support for families and caregivers
• Professional development opportunities including tuition assistance and reimbursement
• Commuter benefits, discounts and campus perks

EEO/Non-Discrimination Commitment Statement

Harvard University is committed to equal opportunity and non-discrimination . We seek talent from all parts of society and the world, and we strive to ensure everyone at Harvard thrives. Our differences help our community advance Harvard's academic purposes.