At a Glance
- Tasks: Shape a new research computing service using your Linux and HPC expertise.
- Company: Join the University of Oxford, a world-leading institution with a rich history.
- Benefits: Enjoy 38 days of leave, flexible working, and generous family leave schemes.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse community with excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on groundbreaking research while developing your skills.
- Qualifications: Degree in IT or equivalent experience; strong Linux and scripting skills required.
The predicted salary is between 49119 - 58265 £ per year.
Would you like to use your systems expertise to help shape a new University-wide research computing service from its foundations? As Senior Research Systems Administrator, you will combine deep Linux expertise with HPC, HTC, container and AI technologies to develop reliable research computing platforms, with the autonomy to influence how the service evolves as it becomes established.
Location: Central Oxford / Begbroke Science Park
Salary: £49,119 - £58,265 per annum
Contract: Full Time, Fixed Term until 31 July 2029, with the expectation of extension, subject to funding
About Us: Spanning the historic streets of the “city of dreaming spires”, the University of Oxford has been ranked the world's leading university for ten consecutive years. A place where centuries of tradition meet world-changing innovation, we offer you the chance to shape the future while working in an inspiring environment that promotes excellence. Here, you’ll contribute to an organisation which delivers ground-breaking research that tackles global challenges - from advancing sustainability to pioneering healthcare solutions - and join a diverse, inclusive community that champions your wellbeing, development, and aspirations.
IT Services and the Digital Governance Unit help provide the digital foundations on which the University’s research, education and administration depend. Within this environment, Oxford Research Computing (OxRC) is an evolving service bringing together research computing infrastructure and expertise from across the University, providing High-Performance Computing (HPC), High-Throughput Computing (HTC), research data and emerging artificial intelligence (AI) services. Its work gives researchers access to the specialist computing capability they need to pursue complex, data-intensive and computationally demanding research.
What We Offer: Working at the University of Oxford offers several exclusive benefits, such as:
- 38 days of annual leave (inclusive of public holidays) to support your wellbeing, with the option to purchase up to 10 extra days and additional leave after long service.
- One of the most generous family leave schemes in UK higher education, offering up to 26 weeks of full-pay maternity and adoption leave, plus 12 weeks of full-pay paternity/partner leave.
- A commitment to hybrid and flexible working to suit your lifestyle.
- An excellent contributory pension scheme.
- Affordable and sustainable commuting options, including a cycle loan scheme, discounted bus travel, and season ticket loans.
- Access to a vibrant community through our social, cultural, and sports clubs.
- A Rental Deposit Loan Scheme for eligible new employees to access an interest-free loan to help cover the cost of a rental deposit in Oxford.
About the Role: As Senior Research Systems Administrator, you will help develop, operate and continuously improve complex Linux-based research computing infrastructure, spanning established HPC and HTC platforms and emerging AI and GPU-enabled services. Your technical expertise will help ensure these services remain secure, resilient and effective as research requirements and technologies evolve. You will be joining OxRC as this new University-wide research computing service is being established and developed. This creates particular scope for a self-directed systems professional to contribute not only to the technology, but also to how the service evolves: identifying improvements, helping establish effective ways of working and applying your expertise to emerging requirements. You will engage with researchers and technical colleagues across the University, turning scientific and computational requirements into practical solutions across technologies including Linux/Unix, Kubernetes, Infrastructure as Code, compute, storage and networking. This is a role for someone who wants their infrastructure expertise to have a direct connection to research and who values the scope to shape a developing service. You will contribute to platform development, automation, service improvement and specialist support, while helping researchers use advanced computing effectively through training and community engagement.
As this role supports ongoing strategic priorities, we are keen to appoint someone who can begin contributing within a relatively short timeframe and would welcome applications from candidates who are available to start promptly.
About You: You will bring:
- A degree-level qualification in a relevant discipline with a significant computing or information technology component, or equivalent professional knowledge and substantial practical experience.
- Significant experience designing, implementing and supporting complex Linux-based infrastructure and services, including independently troubleshooting complex technical issues.
- Experience using scripting, such as Python or BASH, to automate systems administration and improve service delivery.
- Experience designing, deploying and operating containerised computing platforms using Kubernetes or equivalent container orchestration technologies.
- Experience with HPC and HTC systems and software, including technologies such as job schedulers.
- Experience using Infrastructure as Code approaches and tools, such as Ansible, to automate infrastructure provisioning and management.
- Experience contributing to the design, implementation, security and continuous improvement of complex IT services.
- Strong communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to work independently, respond positively to changing requirements and translate research needs into effective technical solutions.
Application Process: To apply, please upload:
- A covering letter/supporting statement
- Your CV
- The details of two referees
The closing date for applications is 12 noon on Monday 12th October 2026. Interviews will take place as soon as possible thereafter.
Senior Research Systems Administrator in Oxford employer: University of Oxford
The Department of Politics and International Relations at the University of Oxford is an exceptional employer, offering a collaborative and intellectually stimulating environment where finance professionals can thrive. With a commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion, along with generous benefits such as 38 days of annual leave and a robust family leave scheme, employees are supported in both their professional and personal lives. This role not only provides the opportunity to influence strategic financial decisions within a world-renowned department but also fosters continuous growth and development in a vibrant academic community.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Research Systems Administrator in Oxford
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We think you need these skills to ace Senior Research Systems Administrator in Oxford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show off your coding skills:When applying for a software engineering role, it's super important to showcase your coding skills. Make sure your CV includes your tech stack, any relevant programming languages you’re comfortable with, and examples of projects you've worked on. If you have a GitHub profile, link it up! We love to see code in action.
Tailor your portfolio:For a full-time role, we’d expect to see some solid examples of your work in your portfolio. Make sure to include at least two or three projects that highlight your problem-solving skills and your ability to work with different technologies. Focus on the projects that are most relevant to the position at University of Oxford.
Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at University of Oxford and how your skills align with the role. Show us your passion for software development. We dig enthusiastic candidates who understand the value of collaboration and continuous learning!
Be clear and concise:When it comes to writing your CV and cover letter, clarity is key. Avoid jargon that could confuse us and stick to simple, direct language. Highlight your achievements with quantifiable results where possible, and keep everything easy to read. A well-organised application goes a long way!
How to prepare for a job interview at University of Oxford
✨Brush Up on Your Coding Skills
For a full-time software engineering role, it's crucial that we stay sharp with our coding abilities. Expect technical questions that might involve solving problems on the spot or discussing algorithms. Practise on platforms like LeetCode or HackerRank to get comfortable with the types of questions that often come up.
✨Know Your Tools and Frameworks
Make sure we’re well-acquainted with the tools and technologies listed in the job description. Familiarise ourselves with any specific frameworks or programming languages mentioned. If University of Oxford uses React or Node.js, for instance, be ready to discuss how we’ve used them in previous projects or coursework.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Bring along a portfolio that highlights our best work. This could be code samples, GitHub repositories, or any side projects we’ve built. Make sure we can talk through our thought process for each project, especially the challenges we faced and how we solved them—this shows our problem-solving skills in action.
✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions
While technical skills are key, full-time positions also require cultural fit. Be ready to discuss our previous experiences and how we handle teamwork, conflict, and deadlines. Brush up on the STAR method—Situation, Task, Action, Result—to clearly articulate our past experiences when discussing how we've contributed to a team.
