Senior Research Systems Administrator

Location: Digital & Information Services - IT Services, Digital and Information Services, Central Oxford

Would you like to use your systems expertise to help shape a new University-wide research computing service from its foundations?

As Senior Research Systems Administrator, you will combine deep Linux expertise with HPC, HTC, container and AI technologies to develop reliable research computing platforms, with the autonomy to influence how the service evolves.

Location: Central Oxford / Begbroke Science Park
Salary: £49,119–£58,265 per annum
Contract: Full Time, Fixed Term until 31 July 2029, with the expectation of extension, subject to funding

About Us

The University of Oxford offers the opportunity to contribute to world-leading research in an inspiring and inclusive environment.

Within IT Services and the Digital Governance Unit, Oxford Research Computing (OxRC) is an evolving University-wide service bringing together research computing infrastructure and expertise. It provides High-Performance Computing (HPC), High-Throughput Computing (HTC), research data and emerging artificial intelligence (AI) services, enabling complex, data-intensive and computationally demanding research.

What We Offer

Benefits include:

• 38 days’ annual leave, including public holidays, with options to purchase additional leave.
• Generous family leave, including up to 26 weeks’ full-pay maternity and adoption leave and 12 weeks’ full-pay paternity/partner leave.
• Hybrid and flexible working.
• Excellent contributory pension scheme.
• Cycle loans, discounted bus travel and season ticket loans.
• Access to University social, cultural and sports clubs.
• Rental Deposit Loan Scheme for eligible new employees.

About the Role

You will develop, operate and continuously improve complex Linux-based research computing infrastructure spanning HPC, HTC and emerging AI and GPU-enabled services.

Joining OxRC as this University-wide service develops, you will have scope to shape both its technology and ways of working. You will work with researchers and technical colleagues to translate scientific and computational requirements into practical solutions across Linux/Unix, Kubernetes, Infrastructure as Code, compute, storage and networking.

You will contribute to platform development, automation, service improvement and specialist support, while helping researchers use advanced computing effectively.

We are keen to appoint someone who can begin contributing within a relatively short timeframe and welcome applications from candidates available to start promptly.

About You

You will bring:

• A relevant degree-level qualification or equivalent professional knowledge and substantial practical experience.
• Significant experience designing and supporting complex Linux-based infrastructure.
• Scripting experience, such as Python or BASH.
• Experience with Kubernetes or equivalent container orchestration technologies.
• Experience with HPC/HTC systems, including job schedulers.
• Experience with Infrastructure as Code tools such as Ansible.
• Experience designing, securing and improving complex IT services.
• Strong communication, collaboration and independent problem-solving skills.

Application Process

Please submit a CV, covering letter/supporting statement and details of two referees via the 'Apply' button above.

Closing date: 12 noon, Monday 12 October 2026. Interviews will take place as soon as possible thereafter.

Advert information