At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the development and administration of high-performance computing systems for cutting-edge AI research.
- Company: Join the University of Oxford's renowned Visual Geometry Group and Foerster Lab.
- Benefits: Fixed-term role until 2030 with opportunities for professional growth and collaboration.
- Other info: Inclusive environment committed to gender equality and diverse perspectives.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in AI and computer vision while working with top researchers.
- Qualifications: Extensive HPC experience, Linux expertise, and strong communication skills required.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
We are seeking a full-time Senior HPC Systems Administrator to join the Department of Engineering Science at the University of Oxford, working within the internationally recognised Visual Geometry Group (VGG) and the Foerster Lab for AI Research. This post is fixed-term until 30th April 2030. This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced systems professional to lead the development, administration, and strategic evolution of the group’s high-performance computing (HPC) infrastructure supporting cutting-edge AI, computer vision, and multimodal learning research.
The successful candidate will take a leading role in the design, deployment, maintenance, and optimisation of large-scale HPC systems, including CPU and GPU clusters, high-performance storage, and advanced networking technologies. The postholder will work closely with academic researchers, software engineers, and departmental IT teams to ensure robust, scalable, and secure computational infrastructure capable of supporting world-leading research in machine learning and visual computing.
You will possess extensive experience in Linux systems administration and HPC environments, together with strong technical expertise in cluster management, storage systems, networking, scripting, and infrastructure automation. Experience with GPU computing environments, containerisation technologies, cloud platforms, and scientific software environments will be highly desirable. The role also requires excellent communication skills and the ability to collaborate effectively with both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
Responsibilities- Designing, building, and maintaining HPC clusters and associated infrastructure
- Managing Linux compute and storage environments
- Supporting GPU-enabled research computing systems
- Maintaining high-performance storage and backup solutions
- Monitoring system performance, security, and availability
- Supporting and mentoring researchers, software engineers, and postgraduate students
- Developing documentation, training materials, and operational best practices
- Collaborating with departmental and university-wide research IT teams
- Evaluating and deploying new technologies to support evolving research requirements
The successful candidate will work under the direction of the departmental HPC Support Architect, with approximately 20% of their time allocated to broader departmental infrastructure activities.
Essential Skills and Experience- Degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related technical discipline
- Extensive experience managing HPC infrastructure in research or technical environments
- Experience with GPU servers and high-performance networking technologies
- Experience with scripting and automation (e.g. Bash, Python)
- Knowledge of storage systems and backup/archive procedures
- Strong troubleshooting and systems integration skills
- Excellent written and verbal communication abilities
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a research environment
- Experience with SLURM or other job scheduling systems
- Experience with containerisation and virtualisation technologies
- Knowledge of cloud computing platforms
- Familiarity with scientific computing tools and AI/ML research workflows
- Experience supporting research software or academic computing environments
- Knowledge of high-performance file systems such as BeeGFS or Lustre
The Department holds an Athena Swan Bronze Award, recognising its commitment to advancing gender equality and supporting an inclusive working environment.
Senior HPC SYSTEMS administrator in Oxford employer: Corehr
The University of Oxford offers an exceptional work environment for a Senior HPC Systems Administrator, providing the opportunity to contribute to groundbreaking research in AI and computer vision within the esteemed Visual Geometry Group. With a strong commitment to employee development, a collaborative culture, and a focus on inclusivity as evidenced by its Athena Swan Bronze Award, the university fosters a supportive atmosphere where innovation thrives. Additionally, the role allows for engagement with cutting-edge technologies and collaboration with leading researchers, making it a rewarding place for professionals seeking meaningful impact in their field.
