Fixed-term: 1 year.
There are three positions available from August/September. They are at the Departments of Chemistry and Earth Sciences and the Faculty of Mathematics. The exact start dates will be by negotiation.
The Department of Earth Sciences is the top Earth Science department in the 2016 Complete University Guide for the UK, in international league tables we are consistently listed in the top five. The role of IT is central to much of the research carried out in the department, this includes developing sophisticated computer models of how the Earth works and interrogating large datasets produced from instrumentation in our labs.
The Faculty of Mathematics is one of the world's leading centres for teaching and research in mathematics. Our researchers work across pure and applied mathematics, statistics and theoretical physics. Their work ranges from exploring number theory and the origins of the universe to improving healthcare and understanding climate change. Computers and IT are essential to much of this research. They allow researchers to create mathematical models and simulations, develop specialist software, use machine learning and analyse large amounts of data.
The Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry enjoys a world class reputation as a centre of excellence for Chemical Research and Teaching. This is underpinned by the application of wide range of IT technologies and solutions to meet the aims of the Department.
We wish to appoint three trainee students, one each in the Departments of Chemistry and Earth Sciences and one in the Faculty of Mathematics, to provide IT support to the community of researchers, students and support staff.
The key responsibilities of the roles include:
- Share in staffing the Help Desk with other members of the team: triaging the problems as they come in and assigning them to the appropriate support queue or person.
- Perform first line support duties chiefly but not exclusively on Linux, Windows and Mac platforms.
- Perform a share of the procurement, installation, configuration, decommissioning and disposal of desktop hardware.
- Manage user access to data and resources using the standard tools of the Departments.
- Develop scripts and code under the guidance of senior technical members of the team to improve delivery of IT services.
- Assist with the installation, configuration, and disposal of server hardware.
These "Sandwich Student" roles will provide a great opportunity for a self-starting student to gain valuable work experience in a team supporting a complex environment with real users. The major element of the role will be providing front line support. Training and support will be provided for learning technologies such as Python where appropriate.
Click the 'Apply' button below to register an account with our recruitment system (if you have not already) and apply online.
For informal queries please contact Emma Graham (ejg49@cam.ac.uk).
Please quote reference MA51115 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.
The Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry holds an Athena SWAN silver award for women in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Medicine. The Department of Earth Sciences holds an Athena SWAN bronze award for women in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Medicine.
The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.
The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.
Key information
Department/location
Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry
Salary
£23,350
Reference
MA51115
Category
Date published
2 October 2026
Closing date
12 November 2026