Scientific Computing Support Desk Manager and Engineer

About Us

Diamond Light Source is the UK’s national synchrotron; a huge scientific facility designed to use very intense beams of X-ray and UV light 10 billion times brighter than the sun. As one of the world’s most advanced scientific facilities, innovation and discovery drives everything that we do and our scientists focus and using this light through microscopes called beamlines to gain insight and new understanding of a vast range of materials, ranging from structures of new vaccines and treatments for disease, to innovative materials and engineering applications such as next generation materials for battery and memory technology to jet engine blades.

Diamond is a true Big Data facility, generating multiple Petabytes of scientific data per-annum, across more than thirty experimental beamlines, much of which requires fast feedback and near real time processing to guide experiments and data collection, as well as reading back multiple Terabytes of data to our High-Performance Compute clusters for further analysis. Diamond’s Scientific Computing team provides the high-performance digital infrastructure required to keep this pipeline of data flowing, and we work in partnership with Diamond’s scientists, and researchers across the globe, to provide them with the compute, storage, networking, and visualisation platforms necessary to keep them (and Diamond) at the forefront of scientific research.

About the Role

As the Scientific Computing Support Desk Manager and Engineer within Scientific Computing team you will play a crucial role in the development and support of the platforms and services that underpin the operations (Controls) and Scientific outputs at Diamond. To fulfil this role you will be an enthusiastic and capable problem solver able to head up the support desk team that provides first and second line infrastructure support to staff and users of the facility. The support desk you will lead is backed by a diverse team of subject matter experts including high performance computing and storage, cloud, Linux, and Microsoft services. Responsibilities of the role will include:

• Brokering and coordinating technical solutions within your team and across Scientific Computing,
• Managing the JSM service desk,
• Line management to support team staff,
• Responsibility ensuring the documentation and knowledge bases are maintained.
• Contributing to the specification, purchase and development of new infrastructure and services.

In addition to providing the expertise and management necessary to lead the Support Desk team, you will also work with the Head of Scientific Computing and Team Leaders to contribute to identification of the support requirements necessary for a major upgrade of the whole facility: Diamond-II. Diamond-II will enhance the capabilities of the experimental facility in every dimension and require a digital infrastructure to match. As such, as well as giving you the opportunity to fully utilise your current expertise, the role will also provide broad scope for being exposed to, investigating, developing, and delivering proof of concept systems as well as delivering production scale systems for Diamond-II

Internally known as: Senior Computer Systems Administrator (Customer Support)

About You

You will be an IT Service Management professional holding a degree level qualification or certification in a related area related to IT Service Management or be able to demonstrate equivalent experience to take on the role. You should also be able to demonstrate knowledge and experience of the following areas.

• Managing a helpdesk environment
• Computer systems support at levels 1 and 2.
• Supervising or managing staff
• Managing modern computing systems ideally in a research field

You will also demonstrate the ability to:

• Communicate technical issues to all audiences.
• Produce clear and informative documentation.
• Influence senior management using your professional knowledge and experience.

Benefits

Diamond offers an exceptional benefits package to support staff in achieving a positive work/life balance. This includes 26 days annual leave plus Christmas closure, public holidays, 2 annual volunteering days and flexible working hours. We also offer an excellent defined benefit pension scheme. Staff also have access to a range of amenities on site including a nursery, cafes, a restaurant and sports and leisure facilities. A relocation allowance may also be available where applicable.

To Apply

Please use the online application process to apply and tell us why you believe you are suitable for this role.

The initial closing date for applications is 7th April, however applications will be reviewed and interviewed on an ongoing basis until this vacancy is filled.