Head: System Administrator (Research Infrastructure)

Stellenbosch University; Stellenbosch; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Job summary

Stellenbosch University Information Technology invites applications for the Head: System Administrator (Research Infrastructure) at Post Level 7 on the Stellenbosch Campus. This role leads Linux server infrastructure, HPC and storage services within the Research IT Infrastructure, ensuring uptime and secure operations.

You will oversee day-to-day systems, assist users, implement HPC software, and drive automation and documentation.

Qualifications

• NQF level 9 in science or engineering with at least two years' relevant experience.
• NQF level 8 in science or engineering with at least four years' relevant experience.
• NQF level 7 in science or engineering with at least six years' relevant experience.
• NQF level 6 in science or engineering with at least eight years' relevant experience.
• Excellent knowledge of Linux operating systems.
• Extended experience in using or administering an HPC.
• Ability to solve problems independently and innovatively.
• Proven analytical skills.
• Good verbal and written communication in Afrikaans or English.

Responsibilities

• Installing, configuring, and maintaining Linux servers and related infrastructure, ensuring optimal performance and uptime.
• Involved in the day-to-day operation of the Research IT Infrastructure, including HPC and storage systems.
• Assisting the infrastructure users.
• Implementing HPC applications as requested by the users.
• Finding innovative solutions to problems.
• Maintaining system and data integrity.
• Creating and maintaining system documentation.
• System automation.
• System monitoring and reporting.

Skills

Linux

HPC

Documentation

System administration

Automation

Troubleshooting

Networking

Interpersonal communication

Education

NQF level 9 qualification in science/engineering with 2+ years experience

NQF level 8 qualification in science/engineering with 4+ years experience

NQF level 7 qualification in science/engineering with 6+ years experience

NQF level 6 qualification in science/engineering with 8+ years experience

Tools

XFS

GlusterFS

Apptainer

Singularity

Docker

Ceph

InfiniBand

Ethernet

Job description

Department Description/Departement Beskrywing

Information Technology

Head: System Administrator (Research Infrastructure) (Post Level 7)

(Stellenbosch Campus)

Ref. IT/377/0926

Information Technology is responsible for the ICT function at Stellenbosch University (SU) and thus provides and facilitates the core IT infrastructure at the University.

Informasietegnologie is verantwoordelik vir die IKT-funksie by die Universiteit Stellenbosch (US) en verskaf en fasiliteer dus die kern IT-infrastruktuur by die Universiteit.

Informasietegnologie

Hoof Stelseladministrateur (Navorsinginfrastruktuur) (Posvlak 7)

(Stellenbosch-kampus)

Verw. IT/377/0926

Informasietegnologie is verantwoordelik vir die IKT-funksie by die Universiteit Stellenbosch (US) en verskaf en fasiliteer dus die kern IT-infrastruktuur by die Universiteit.

Duties/Pligte

• Installing, configuring, and maintaining Linux servers and related infrastructure, ensuring optimal performance and uptime.
• Involved in the day-to‑day operation of the Research IT Infrastructure, including HPC and storage systems.
• Assisting the infrastructure users.
• Implementing HPC applications as requested by the users.
• Finding innovative solutions to problems.
• Maintaining system and data integrity.
• Creating and maintaining system documentation.
• System automation.
• System monitoring and reporting.
• Installeer, konfigureer en onderhou Linux bedieners en verwante infrastruktuur, verseker hul optimale werkverrigting en beskikbaarheid.
• Betrokke by die dag tot dag bedryf van die Navorsing IT Infrastruktuur, insluitend die HPC en stoorspasie.
• Verleen bystand aan die infrastruktuur gebruikers.
• Implementeer HPC programmatuur soos deur die gebruikers versoek.
• Vind innoverende oplossings vir probleme.
• Handhaaf stelsel- en data-integriteit.
• Skep en onderhou stelseldokumentasie.
• Stelseloutomatisasie.
• Stelselmonitering en -rapportering.

Job Requirements/Pos Vereistes

• NQF level 9 qualification (e.g. master's degree) in a science or engineering field with at least two years' relevant experience, OR
• NQF level 8 qualification (e.g. honours or four-year degree) in a Science or Engineering field with at least four years' relevant experience, OR
• NQF level 7 qualification (e.g. three-year degree) in a science or engineering field with at least six years' relevant experience, OR
• NQF level 6 qualification (e.g. national diploma) in a science or engineering field with at least eight years' relevant experience.
• Excellent knowledge of Linux operating systems.
• Extended experience in using or administering an HPC.
• The ability to solve problems independently and innovatively.
• Proven analytical skills.
• A high level of accuracy.
• Good verbal and written communication skills in Afrikaans or English.
• The ability to work in a team as well as independently.
• Excellent interpersonal relationships.
• NKR vlak 9 kwalifikasie (bv. meestersgraad) in 'n wetenskaplike of ingenieursveld met minstens twee jaar se toepaslike ervaring, OF
• NKR vlak 8 kwalifikasie (bv. honneurs of vierjarige graad) in 'n wetenskaplike of ingenieursveld met minstens vier jaar se toepaslike ervaring, OF
• NKR vlak 7 kwalifikasie (bv. driejarige graad) in 'n wetenskaplike of ingenieursveld met minstebs ses jaar toepaslike ervaring, OF
• NKR vlak 6 kwalifikasie (bv. nasionale diploma) in 'n wetenskaplike of ingenieursveld met minstens agt jaar se toepaslike ervaring.
• Uitstekende kennis van Linux as bedryfstelsel.
• Uitgebreide ervaring in die gebruik of administrasie van 'n HPC.
• Die vermoë om probleme onafhanklik en innoverend op te los.
• Bewese analitiese vaardighede.
• 'n Hoë vlak van akkuraatheid.
• Goeie mondelinge en skriftelike kommunikasievaardighede in Afrikaans of Engels.
• Die vermoë om in 'n spanverband asook selfstandig te werk.
• Uitstekende interpersoonlike verhoudinge.

Recommendation/Aanbeveling

• Any other IT-related industry qualifications.
• Programming experience.
• Strong understanding of high-speed interconnects (InfiniBand, Ethernet).
• Experience with Xfs and Gluster.
• Experience with container technologies (Apptainer, Singularity, Docker).
• Experience with Ceph.
• Excellent knowledge of networks and firewalls.
• Enige ander IT-verwante industriekwalifikasies.
• Ervaring in programmering.
• Diepte insig in hoë spoed netwerkverbindings (Infiniband, Ethernet).
• Ervaring met Xfs en Gluster.
• Ervaring met "container" tegnologie (Apptainer, Singularity, Docker).
• Ervaring met Ceph.
• Deeglike kennis van netwerke en "firewalls".

Enquiries/Navrae Enquiries about this post: Mr APC Nieuwoudt on 021 808 4288, or at [e-mail]

Enquiries about remuneration/benefits and technical assistance with the electronic application process: Human Resources Client Services Centre on 021 808 2753 (Stellenbosch), or 021 938 9636 (Tygerberg), or at [e-mail]

Navrae oor hierdie pos: Mnr. APC Nieuwoudt by 021 808 4288, of by [e-mail]

Navrae oor vergoeding/voordele en tegniese ondersteuning met die elektroniese aansoekproses: Menslike Hulpbronne Kliëntedienssentrum by 021 808 2753 (Stellenbosch), of 021 938 9636 (Tygerberg), of by [e-mail]

CurrencyZAR Commencement Date01-Nov-2026 Closing Date30-Sep-2026 Amount of Travel Work At Home