Infrastructure Analyst (Research IT, HPC)

About IT Services

IT Services at the University of Manchester is a vibrant and fast-moving department, we focus on delivering excellent customer service and quality services for our staff, students and researchers. 

The Team

Researchers at the University of Manchester carry out world-leading research in many areas — beacons include advanced materials, industrial biotechnology and cancer treatments. RIT is a fastgrowing, can-do group within IT Services which closely supports the research community by delivering specialist, e-research capabilities which are critical to the success of their research.  

The Role
This role is within the Research Platforms Team, over 20 technical IT specialists — often with a research background themselves. We develop and deliver computational and data storage services to the University research community. These include: high-performance computing (HPC) and high-throughput computing (HTC); resilient and high-performance storage; edge computing; custom Web stacks; and highly-secure platforms for hosting sensitive data. Provision is via both on-site hardware and use of off-site, commercial cloud resources including Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Azure.

We are looking for an enthusiastic and proactive person who will join the Team to:

• help with the development and maintenance of our platforms (30%), with a focus on computation — HPC and HTC;

• provide in-depth technical support to our users (50%);

• help write and then deliver face-to-face training courses (10%);

• engage with the research community (10%).

The person

The successful candidate should be able to demonstrate:

Essential skills and experience:

• Experience of using or administering HPC and/or HTC platforms.
• A good working knowledge of the Linux operating system, including administration and support.
• The ability to work as an effective part of a team and to establish productive relationships with a wide range of technical and non-technical people including academics, researchers, students, IT staff and research support staff.
• Enthusiasm and initiative: the capacity to anticipate problems and find solutions; the ability to see opportunities and take advantage of them; a desire to learn new skills — both technical and non-technical; and a can-do approach to work as it arises.
• Good face-to-face and written communication skills.

Desirable skills and experience:

• Experience working within an academic research environment (or a higher, preferably research, degree).
• A good understanding of the technologies used to deliver computational, storage, virtual machines (VMs), container and Cloud-based platforms
• Experience installing scientific software packages using a variety of methods (e.g. compilation from source, EasyBuild, containers).
• A working knowledge of the Microsoft Windows OS.
• Experience of using at least one high-level programming language such as BASH, Perl or Python.
• A good working knowledge of fundamental IT storage and networking technologies.

What you can expect in return

• As well as a competitive salary, and working for an internationally recognised University
• A generous annual leave entitlement of 29 days plus bank holidays
• Closure between the Christmas and New Year periods – this is in addition to your annual leave entitlement
• Access to a comprehensive employee assistance programme, supporting your physical, mental, and financial health and legal advice
• Leading pensions schemes, travel season tickets loans, workplace nursery, staff networking groups discounts for all the family to enjoy and so much more.
• Did we mention training, career opportunities and career progression.
• In fact, there are so many benefits available you can see more of them by clicking HERE

Find out more about our organisation and values:

• IT Services: About us and ITS Practice Charter
• Benefits of working at The University of Manchester

When completing the additional information section of your application, please ensure you make reference to the job description and person specification above, as this will form an integral part of the shortlisting process.

As an equal opportunities employer, we welcome applicants from all sections of the community regardless of gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation and transgender status.  All appointments are made on merit

Our University is positive about flexible working – you can find out more here

Blended working arrangements may be considered

Please note that we are unable to respond to enquiries, accept CVs or applications from Recruitment Agencies.

Enquiries about the vacancy, shortlisting and interviews:

Name:  Simon Hood

Email: simon.hood@manchester.ac.uk​​​​​​​

Name:  Penny Richardson

Email: pen.richardson@manchester.ac.uk

General enquiries:

Email: People.recruitment@manchester.ac.uk

Technical support:

https://jobseekersupport.jobtrain.co.uk/support/home

This vacancy will close for applications at midnight on the closing date.

Please see the link below for the Further Particulars document which contains the person specification criteria.