Senior Research Systems Administrator

Salary: £40,000 - 80,000 per year

Requirements:

• A degree-level qualification in a relevant discipline with a significant computing or information technology component, or equivalent professional knowledge and substantial practical experience.
• Significant experience designing, implementing and supporting complex Linux-based infrastructure and services, including independently troubleshooting complex technical issues.
• Experience using scripting languages such as Python or BASH to automate systems administration and improve service delivery.
• Experience designing, deploying and operating containerised computing platforms using Kubernetes or equivalent container orchestration technologies.
• Experience with HPC and HTC systems and software, including technologies such as job schedulers.
• Experience using Infrastructure as Code approaches and tools, such as Ansible, to automate infrastructure provisioning and management.
• Experience contributing to the design, implementation, security and continuous improvement of complex IT services.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to work independently, respond positively to changing requirements and translate research needs into effective technical solutions.

Responsibilities:

• Develop, operate and continuously improve complex Linux-based research computing infrastructure, including established HPC and HTC platforms and emerging AI and GPU-enabled services.
• Help ensure our services remain secure, resilient and effective as research requirements and technologies evolve.
• Contribute to the development of our new University-wide research computing service, including identifying improvements and helping establish effective ways of working.
• Engage with researchers and technical colleagues across the University to turn scientific and computational requirements into practical solutions.
• Work across Linux/Unix, Kubernetes, Infrastructure as Code, compute, storage and networking technologies.
• Contribute to platform development, automation, service improvement and specialist support.
• Help researchers use advanced computing effectively through training and community engagement.

Technologies:

• AI
• Ansible
• Bash
• Support
• Kubernetes
• Linux
• Python
• Security
• Unix

More:

We are the University of Oxford, a diverse and inclusive community committed to excellence, wellbeing and development. Our IT Services and Digital Governance Unit provide the digital foundations for the Universitys research, education and administration. Oxford Research Computing (OxRC) is an evolving service bringing together research computing infrastructure and expertise to provide HPC, HTC, research data and emerging AI services. This role offers scope to shape the development of the service and connect infrastructure work directly to research. It is based in Central Oxford and Begbroke Science Park, with hybrid and flexible working options. The position is full time and fixed term until 31 July 2029, with the expectation of extension subject to funding, and pays £49,119–£58,265 per annum. We offer 38 days of annual leave inclusive of public holidays, family leave, a contributory pension, commuting support, social and cultural activities, and a rental deposit loan scheme for eligible new employees. Applications should include a covering letter or supporting statement, CV and details of two referees. The closing date is 12 noon on 12 October 2026.

last updated 39 week of 2026