Infrastructure Analyst

Research IT Senior Platforms Engineer:  NXCT

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, delivering specialist, e-research capabilities critical to the success of their research.

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 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 users of the NXCT Digital Imaging Lab by providing a streamlined data management and curation process, from data collection through processing and storage. This requires working with NXCT users and staff to understand their Big Data requirements and identifying areas for improvement. The role provides a bridge between the science and IT communities.

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

• Help with the development and maintenance of our IT platforms, with a focus on storage, VMs, Edge Compute and the NXCT.
• 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/.

Will Have — Essential:

• A degree (or equivalent) in a science-related discipline or experience of supporting users in a scientific research environment.
• 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. 

Will Have — Desirable:

• Knowledge of image processing, 3D data visualization and/or of developing scientific software.
• Experience of working in a customer support role.
• A good working knowledge of IBM GPFS.

What you will get in return:

• Fantastic market leading Pension scheme
• Excellent employee health and wellbeing services including an Employee Assistance Programme
• Exceptional starting annual leave entitlement, plus bank holidays
• Additional paid closure over the Christmas period
• Local and national discounts at a range of major retailers

As an equal opportunities employer we welcome applicants from all sections of the community regardless of age, sex, gender (or gender identity), 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

Hybrid working arrangements may be considered.           

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

Any recruitment enquiries from recruitment agencies should be directed to People.Recruitment@manchester.ac.uk.

Any CV’s submitted by a recruitment agency will be considered a gift.

Enquiries about the vacancy, shortlisting and interviews:

Name: Goar Sanchez Sanz 

Email: goar.sanchezsanz@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.