At a Glance
- Tasks: Support researchers with HPC systems and manage data storage solutions.
- Company: Join the Francis Crick Institute, Europe's largest biomedical research hub.
- Benefits: Enjoy 28 days leave, health support, and a generous pension scheme.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace with excellent career development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in cutting-edge biomedical research and innovation.
- Qualifications: Degree in computing/science/engineering and experience with HPC systems required.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 50000 € per year.
Working Pattern: This is a full-time, fixed-term position (12 months) on Crick Terms and Conditions of Employment.
Reports to: Research Computing Platforms Manager
Salary: From £50,000 with benefits, subject to skills and experience
Closing Date: 26th of May 2026 at 23.59
About us
The Francis Crick Institute is Europe’s largest biomedical research institute under one roof. Our world‑class scientists and staff collaborate on vital research to help prevent, diagnose and treat illnesses such as cancer, heart disease, infectious diseases and neurodegenerative conditions. The Crick is a place for collaboration, innovation and exploration across many disciplines. A space where the brightest minds can pursue big and bold ideas and discover answers to crucial scientific questions. We support them in a dynamic environment which fosters excellence with state‑of‑the‑art infrastructure, cutting‑edge facilities, and a creative and curious culture. We’ve removed traditional boundaries of departments, divisions and disciplines and instead have an open approach that supports every researcher. This gives us the freedom to take risks and carry out high‑quality, pioneering research. Creating a space for discovery without boundaries helps us to turn our science into benefits for human health and the economy.
About the role
We are looking for a HPC Systems Engineer to join our ITO Research Computing Platforms Team at the Crick. In this role, you will provide user support and assist in the design, implementation, development, and service delivery of the institute’s HPC, Cloud, and Research Data Storage and Management hardware and software through a mix of on‑premises systems and cloud services. Collaboration is key to the Crick and in this role, you will support the research community and work across various departments at the Crick, working closely with Research labs, Science Technology Platforms and other operations teams. The Crick has powerful CPU and GPU HPC clusters and a 30 Petabyte Spectrum Scale high storage system. This is a fantastic opportunity to apply your skills and experience in a stimulating environment to make a real difference.
What you will be doing
- User Support and Training
- Help researchers make effective use of HPC and data storage systems by responding to support queries, providing advice, training and documentation.
- Deploy Linux and Windows scientific applications on HPC platforms.
- Provide HPC training for non‑computing research scientists.
- Systems Administration
- Monitor health, security and performance of systems software/hardware and scientific applications, working actively with vendors and members of the enterprise IT team to troubleshoot and quickly restore services when required.
- Assist in the management of scheduler policies, access permissions, quotas, directory structures, and distribution of data across storage systems and tiers.
- Automate operational tasks and perform changes to systems software/hardware required to improve management and service delivery.
- Assist in the deployment of proof‑of‑concept systems and services to meet evolving scientific requirements.
- Assist in the specification, selection and implementation of new research storage and HPC systems.
About you
You should have:
- A degree in a computing/science/engineering subject with a significant computational component, or equivalent skills and experience.
- Experience in using/managing HPC systems and scheduler policies – e.g. SLURM, SGE, etc.
- Experience in using/operating IBM Spectrum Scale storage system – e.g., GPFS.
- Experience in using OS deployment, configuration management and continuous integration tools - e.g. xCAT, Ansible, Terraform, Git, GitHub, Jenkins, etc. (desirable)
- Experience in development and/or deployment of scientific research software - Conda (desirable)
At the Francis Crick Institute, we believe that diversity and inclusion are essential to driving innovation and scientific discovery. We are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered to succeed, regardless of their background, identity, or personal circumstances. We actively encourage applications from individuals of all genders, ethnicities, abilities, and experiences. We are a Disability Confident: Committed employer and we will ensure that everyone can apply and be part of our recruitment processes and so we'll make reasonable adjustments if you need them – just let us know when you apply. If you need assistance with applying (i.e. would like to apply by phone or post) please email: karen.au@crick.ac.uk.
What will you receive?
At the Francis Crick Institute, we value our team members and are proud to offer an extensive range of benefits to support their well‑being and development:
- Generous Leave: 28 days of annual leave, plus three additional days over Christmas and bank holidays.
- Visas: Applicants for this role will be eligible for sponsorship to work in the UK.
- Pension Scheme: Defined contribution pension with employer contributions of up to 16%.
- 24/7 GP consultation services.
- Occupational health services and mental health support programmes.
- Eye care vouchers and discounted healthcare plans.
- Childcare support allowance.
- Annual leave purchase options.
- Discounted gym memberships, bike‑to‑work scheme, and shopping discounts.
- Subsidised on‑site restaurant and social spaces for team interaction.
- Crick Networks offering diverse groups’ support, community and inclusive social events.
Please note you must meet the essential criteria listed within the Role Profile to have your application reviewed. We reserve the right to withdraw this advert at any given time due to the number of applications received.
HPC & Research Data Systems Engineer employer: The Francis Crick Institute
The Francis Crick Institute is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic and collaborative work environment that fosters innovation and exploration in biomedical research. With state-of-the-art facilities, generous benefits including 28 days of annual leave, and a commitment to diversity and inclusion, employees are empowered to grow and make meaningful contributions to vital scientific advancements. Located in the heart of London, the Crick provides unique opportunities for professional development and engagement with world-class researchers.
Contact Detail:
The Francis Crick Institute Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land HPC & Research Data Systems Engineer
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees at the Crick Institute on LinkedIn. A friendly chat can give us insider info about the role and help us stand out in the application process.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by brushing up on your HPC knowledge and relevant technologies. We should be ready to discuss our experience with systems like SLURM and IBM Spectrum Scale, as well as any projects we've worked on that relate to the role.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase our problem-solving skills! During interviews, we can share specific examples of how we've tackled challenges in previous roles, especially those involving user support and system administration.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure our application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows we’re genuinely interested in being part of the Crick community.
We think you need these skills to ace HPC & Research Data Systems Engineer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the HPC & Research Data Systems Engineer role. Highlight relevant experience, especially with HPC systems and any specific tools mentioned in the job description. We want to see how your skills align with what we're looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about this role and how your background makes you a great fit. Don’t forget to mention your collaborative spirit, as teamwork is key at the Crick.
Showcase Your Technical Skills:Be sure to include any technical skills that are relevant to the position, like experience with SLURM or IBM Spectrum Scale. We love seeing candidates who can demonstrate their hands-on experience with the tools we use every day.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smooth application process. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands. Plus, it shows us you’re serious about joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at The Francis Crick Institute
✨Know Your HPC Systems
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of HPC systems and scheduler policies like SLURM or SGE. Be ready to discuss your experience with these systems, as well as any specific challenges you've faced and how you overcame them.
✨Showcase Your Collaboration Skills
Since collaboration is key at the Crick, think of examples where you've worked effectively with others. Prepare to share how you’ve supported research teams or collaborated across departments, highlighting your ability to communicate complex technical concepts to non-technical staff.
✨Demonstrate Problem-Solving Abilities
Be prepared to discuss how you've monitored system health and performance in previous roles. Think of specific instances where you had to troubleshoot issues quickly and restore services, and be ready to explain your thought process during those situations.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect technical questions related to OS deployment, configuration management, and tools like Ansible or Terraform. Brush up on these topics and be ready to discuss how you've used them in past projects, as this will show your hands-on experience and readiness for the role.
