NXCT Research Data Engineer in Imaging

​​​​​​​​​​​​​University of Manchester and Research IT (RIT)

Researchers at the University carry out world-leading research in many areas — beacons include advanced materials, industrial biotechnology and cancer treatments.  RIT is a fast-growing, 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.

NXCT

The National X-ray Computed Tomography Facility (NXCT, https://nxct.ac.uk/) brings together world-leading capability in lab-based XCT from the universities of Manchester, Southampton, Warwick, University College London and Diamond Light Source.  The Hub in Manchester is hosted by the Henry Royce Institute for advanced materials, which houses the NXCT Digital Imaging Lab (DIL), a new Data Visualisation and Analysis Support Centre for the XCT community.  It provides an unparalleled combination of 3D imaging facilities and data analysis, research knowledge and technical experience to support users that have never worked with X-ray scanning before and to help advanced users conduct exciting new experiments.

​​​​​​​Role

This role is within the Research Platforms Team, around 25 technical IT specialists — often with a research background themselves.  We develop and support e-infrastructure platforms including computationally intensive (e.g., HPC), data storage and edge computing.  Provision is via both on-site hardware and use of off-site, commercial cloud resources.

The role also supports the NXCT Digital Imaging Lab in a user-facing capacity.  The new user facility provides a service to researchers in X-ray CT, both internal and external to the University, to ensure they can extract the most useful information from their data.

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

• Help with the development and maintenance of our platforms, with a focus on storage, VMs, Edge Compute and the NXCT.
• Support users of these platforms, especially the NXCT DIL and associated application software, troubleshooting problems and offering help for XCT analysis face-to-face and via hands-on training, online tutorials and FAQs.
• Identify opportunities to improve our service to users of the DIL and develop policies and workflows to optimise our processes, including data curation.

For further detail and to ask questions, you are strongly encouraged to contact simon.hood@manchester.ac.uk.

Benefits of working at the University are outlined here: https://www.manchester.ac.uk/connect/jobs/benefits-working-here/.

You Will Have — Essential:

• An in-depth knowledge of the Linux operating system or MS Windows — preferably both  — including administration and support. 
• A good working knowledge of:  data storage protocols (e.g., NFS, SMB);  networking (TCP/IP, firewalls, routing);  VMs and containers.
• Experience of using at least one high-level programming language such as BASH, Perl or Python.
• The ability to work as an effective part of a team and to establish productive relationships with  academics, researchers,  technical and non-technical 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 communication skills.
• Experience of using scientific software.
• will Have — Desirable Experience:
• Working within an academic research environment (or a higher, preferably research, degree).
• Image processing, 3D data visualization and/or of developing scientific software.
• Working in a customer support role.

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:

Email: simon.hood@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.