"Linux System Administrator"

Job Details

Benefits: All full-time university staff are eligible for VCU’s robust benefits package that includes comprehensive health benefits, paid annual and holiday leave granted up front, generous tuition benefits, retirement planning and savings options, tax-deferred annuity and cash match programs, employee discounts, well-being resources, abundant opportunities for career development and advancement, and more.

Unit: School Of Medicine MBU

Department: School of Medicine

Duties & Responsibilities:

The School of Medicine Research Technology group is seeking a motivated and innovative Linux/VMware System Administrator to join our team. This position offers a dynamic environment with opportunities for professional growth, collaboration, and technical leadership. The System Administrator will support the School of Medicine’s research and administrative infrastructure, with a focus on virtualization, Linux systems, and research computing workflows.

The individual will join a team of IT professionals who work diligently to meet the individual needs of researchers, balancing the need to extend the boundaries of discovery against practical needs for security, financial responsibility, and planned growth.

Key Responsibilities

• VMware Infrastructure Management: Administer and maintain a School of Medicine VMware environment, ensuring high availability, performance, and scalability.
• End-User Support Triage: Serve as the initial point of contact for technical issues, providing triage and resolution or escalation as appropriate.
• Vendor Coordination: Manage and track interactions with software vendors, including support tickets, updates, and licensing.
• Linux System Administration: Install, configure, and maintain Linux systems and services supporting research and administrative functions, including endpoints.
• Research Computing Support: Collaborate with investigators to understand research workflows and develop technical solutions using tools such as Python and R.
• Data Management: Facilitate secure file transfers, backups, and data sharing using platforms like Globus, SFTP, and others.
• Containerization and Environment Management: Deploy and manage containerized applications and environments using technologies such as Docker, Apptainer and Spack.
• Knowledge Management: Proactively document solutions in the preferred format and platform for dissemination within and outside the team.
• Innovation and Initiative: Act as a self-starter who is excited by challenges and capable of independently identifying and implementing effective solutions in accordance with organizational policy.

Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree – information technology, computer science, or a scientific field preferred.
• Proficiency in Linux system administration and scripting.
• Familiarity with research computing environments and scientific software workflows.
• Strong troubleshooting skills and ability to triage complex technical issues.
• Excellent communication skills for working with faculty, staff, and vendors.
• Ability to document technical processes and create user-friendly guides.
• Demonstrated ability to work in and foster an environment of respect, professionalism and civility with a population of faculty, staff, and students from all backgrounds and experiences, or a commitment to do so as a staff member at VCU.

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience with VMware administration and virtualization best practices.
• Familiarity with research computing environments and scientific software workflows.
• Experience with containerization and environment management technologies such as Spack.
• Working knowledge of Linux configuration and package management tools, especially Puppet, Ansible and Foreman.
• U.S. citizenship, since federal regulations require this for access to certain research data.

Position will remain open until filled.

VCU is committed to hiring veterans! VCU will include a veteran's period(s) of military service in the calculation of their annual leave accrual rate. This may provide veterans with an increased leave accrual!

Salary Range: $75,000 - $95,000

FLSA Exemption Status: Exempt

Restricted Position: No

ORP Eligible: No

Flexible Work Arrangement: Hybrid