Systems Administrator in Glasgow

Job Purpose

The Systems Administrator plays a key role in ensuring the availability, performance, and security of IT systems supporting the Scottish Universities Environmental Research Centre (SUERC). Based primarily at the SUERC site, the postholder will provide operational support for 90-100 staff, delivering administration, maintenance, and support of local server infrastructure, networks, end-user devices, websites, collaboration platforms, and specialist systems that underpin SUERC's research, operational, and administrative activities.

Reporting locally to the Head of Operations, with support and engagement from the University of Glasgow College IT function and Central IS team, the postholder will work closely with both local stakeholders and central University IT teams to maintain reliable services and coordinate infrastructure improvements, upgrades, and projects.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

• 1 Contribute to the installation, configuration, maintenance, and support of server infrastructure, including physical and virtual servers, storage systems, cloud services, and network components that support SUERC operations.




• 2 Monitor system performance, investigate faults, and proactively address issues to ensure high levels of service availability, resilience, and performance.




• 3 Troubleshoot and resolve a broad range of technical issues affecting infrastructure, network services, AV equipment, specialist research systems, end-user devices, and associated hardware.




• 4 Provide first and second-line technical support to SUERC staff, ensuring incidents, service requests, and technical enquiries are resolved in a timely and professional manner.




• 5 Administer and maintain SUERC's inventory of IT assets, including laptops, desktops, Apple Mac devices, peripherals, and associated equipment, ensuring asset records remain accurate and up to date.




• 6 Coordinate the procurement, deployment, replacement, and lifecycle management of IT equipment in accordance with university policies and local operational requirements.




• 7 Provide administration and user support for SUERC SharePoint sites, document libraries, permissions, and associated Microsoft 365 collaboration tools, ensuring effective information management and access controls.




• 8 Support the maintenance, development, and administration of SUERC websites, including content management systems such as WordPress, coordinating with stakeholders and third‑party suppliers where required.




• 9 Act as a liaison between SUERC and the University of Glasgow Information Services and College IT teams, coordinating infrastructure projects, network upgrades, systems enhancements, and service improvements.




• 10 Support the planning and delivery of major IT‑related projects, including network communications upgrades, server refresh programmes, systems migrations, and infrastructure improvements.




• 11 Assist with the administration, monitoring, testing, and documentation of backup, disaster recovery, and business continuity arrangements to ensure organisational resilience.




• 12 Conduct regular testing of backup and recovery processes and maintain associated documentation to support SUERC's Business Continuity Planning (BCP) requirements.




• 13 Document system configurations, procedures, support activities, technical standards, and operating procedures to facilitate knowledge sharing, operational continuity, and audit compliance.




• 14 Work collaboratively with University IT specialists, external vendors, contractors, and technical stakeholders to support service delivery and project implementation.




• 15 Follow all agreed operating policies, procedures, security standards, and practices as approved by University Information Services, College IT teams, and SUERC management to maintain a secure and robust environment.




• 16 Undertake any other duties and projects appropriate to the grade as required by the Head of Operations or College IT management.

Knowledge, Qualifications, Skills and Experience

Knowledge, Qualifications

Either:

• A1 Ability to demonstrate the competencies required to undertake the duties associated with this level of post through relevant knowledge, skills, and experience gained in a similar role. Or Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework Level 7 (Advanced Higher, Scottish Vocational Qualification Level 3, Higher National Certificate) or equivalent, together with experience of personal development in a similar technical role.




• A2 Technical knowledge of server, network, and systems administration concepts.




• A3 Working knowledge of information security good practice within a complex networked environment.




• A4 Understanding of technical requirements and the ability to translate user needs into practical solutions.

Desirable:

• B1 Knowledge of system monitoring, capacity planning, and infrastructure performance management.




• B2 Awareness of Cyber Essentials Plus, ISO 27001, and related information security frameworks.

Skills

Essential:

• C1 Strong problem‑solving and troubleshooting skills, with the ability to investigate technical issues, identify root causes, and implement effective solutions.




• C2 Ability to manage and maintain accurate system, asset, and technical documentation.




• C3 Ability to work independently while recognising when issues require escalation to senior technical colleagues.




• C4 Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to work effectively with technical and non‑technical stakeholders.




• C5 Ability to adapt to evolving technologies, systems, and organisational requirements.

Experience

Essential:

• E1 Experience supporting end‑user computing devices, including Windows and Apple Mac computers / OS, laptops, peripherals, printers, and mobile devices.




• E2 Experience using scripting and automation tools such as Windows PowerShell and/or Linux shell scripting.




• E3 Experience in troubleshooting and supporting Microsoft 365 services, including SharePoint Online and associated collaboration tools.

Desirable:

• F1 Experience working within a research, higher education, scientific, or laboratory environment.




• F2 Experience supporting specialist scientific equipment, laboratory‑connected systems, data acquisition platforms, or research computing environments.




• F3 Experience coordinating with centralised IT service providers within a large organisation.




• F4 Experience supporting and configuring specialist software applications.




• F5 Experience supporting virtualised and networked environments, including storage systems and backup technologies.




• F6 Experience supporting content management systems, preferably WordPress, including user administration, maintenance, troubleshooting, and system support.




• F7 Experience coordinating infrastructure upgrades, migrations, and service improvement projects involving multiple stakeholders.




• F8 Experience working to and with business continuity processes.

Terms and Conditions

Salary will be Grade 5, £28,031 - £31,236 per annum.

This post is full time (35 hours p/w) and open ended.

Closing date: 28 October 2026

This role is not eligible for sponsorship under the UK Skilled Worker visa route. Candidates must therefore have an existing right to work in the UK or be able to secure this independently prior to commencing employment. For further information on alternative immigration options, please visit University of Glasgow’s UKVI Website.

As a valued member of our team, you can expect:

• 1 A warm welcoming and engaging organisational culture, where your talents are developed and nurtured, and success is celebrated and shared.




• 2 An excellent employment package with generous terms and conditions including 41 days of leave for full time staff, pension - pensions handbook https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/payandpensions/pensions/, benefits and discount packages.




• 3 A flexible approach to working.




• 4 A commitment to support your health and wellbeing, including a free 6-month UofG Sport membership for all new staff joining the University https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/staff/healthwellbeing/.

We believe that we can only reach our full potential through the talents of all. Equality, diversity and inclusion are at the heart of our values. Applications are particularly welcome from across our communities and in particular people from the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) community, and other protected characteristics who are under‑represented within the University. Read more on how the University promotes and embeds all aspects of equality and diversity within our community https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/.

We endorse the principles of Athena Swan https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/athenaswan/ and hold bronze, silver and gold awards across the University.

We are investing in our organisation, and we will invest in you too. Please visit our website https://www.gla.ac.uk/explore/jobs/ for more information.

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