Digital Research Compute Lead

This new role is available from 01/10/2025 – 30/09/2027 on a fixed-term contract and offers the opportunity of hybrid working – some time at home and some time on campus. This role is initially offered on a two-year fixed-term basis, with the possibility of extension subject to funding and further approvals.

Summary of role

Deliver high-performance and sustainable computing for a world-class research environment.

Exeter’s researchers tackle global challenges, from climate modelling to AI-driven healthcare, and need world-class computing power to do it. From simulating complex systems and processing vast datasets to powering AI and machine learning, advanced computing is the engine that turns ideas into breakthroughs.

You will collaborate with some of the world’s leading technology providers, working at the forefront of HPC, cloud, and AI innovation to ensure Exeter’s platforms harness the best tools and expertise available.

Your direction will ensure Exeter’s compute platforms are designed, operated, and evolved to meet the most demanding research challenges — enabling innovation, accelerating discovery, and keeping the University at the forefront of computational research. You will lead the strategy, development, and operation of computing services, co-designing solutions with researchers, and overseeing cost recovery and sustainability models. You will work closely with the Digital Research Programme Manager to plan and deliver new computing capabilities, and with the Digital Research Services Portfolio Manager to ensure operational services remain strategically aligned, financially sustainable, and delivering measurable value to the University’s research community.

What you’ll be doing

• Manage HPC, mid-tier, cloud-integrated, and hybrid compute platforms, ensuring secure and scalable services.
• Develop and deliver the compute roadmap, aligned with research needs and technologies.
• Co-create innovative computing solutions with researchers and service partners.
• Manage and grow a skilled technical team to deliver high-quality, sustainable services.
• Represent Exeter in national and sector-wide HPC and research computing initiatives.

About you
We are looking for a technically skilled, collaborative leader with a passion for enabling research and a vision for continuous improvement. You will bring:

• Strong technical leadership in HPC, research computing, or advanced IT services.
• Experience with HPC/Linux systems and related technologies.
• Proven ability to work collaboratively with researchers on service design.
• Financial and operational management skills.

Help Shape the Future of Research at Exeter

By joining us, you will be part of the University’s Digital Research Infrastructure (DRI) programme — a major strategic investment in advanced computing, data platforms, and digital skills. This is your opportunity to help shape and deliver services that enable exceptional, world-class research across disciplines.

Please ensure you read the Job Description and Person Specification (available on the university's website, accessed by the 'Apply' button) for full details of this role.

We will be reviewing applications as they come in, so please don’t hesitate in applying, as we reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications.

Further information
For an informal conversation about the role before applying, please contact the DRI Recruitment Team.

For more information about our vision for shaping the future of Digital Research Infrastructure and for details of other vacancies available in this space, please see here.

This role may be subject to additional background screening.

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