Senior Research Platforms Engineer (HPC)

Job reference: PSX-026420

Salary: £45,585 to £56,021 per annum, depending on relevant experience

Faculty/Organisational Unit: Professional Services

Location: Oxford Road

Employment type: Permanent

Division/Team: IT Services Research IT

Hours Per Week: Full Time

Closing date (DD/MM/YYYY): 19/08/2024

Contract Duration: Permanent

School/Directorate: Directorate of IT Services

University of Manchester

The University is a global institution known for innovation, world firsts, brilliant discoveries, and has 25 Nobel Prize winners amongst current and former staff and students. The computer revolution started here in 1948 when a machine known affectionately as ‘The Baby’, ran its first stored program. The celebrated wartime codebreaker Alan Turing worked on this computer during his time at Manchester.

The University has committed to becoming one of the world’s leading research institutions through one of the largest investments in facilities ever seen at a UK university, with £750 million spent so far and another £1 billion to follow.

Research IT (RIT)

Researchers at the University carry out research in many areas, including advanced materials, biotechnology, climate, and energy sources. RIT is a fast-growing, can-do group within IT Services which closely supports the research community by delivering specialist IT capabilities which are critical to the success of the researchers.

The Role

You will be a member of the Research Platforms Team, (25+ IT specialists) developing and delivering computational and data storage services to the University research community. These include: high-performance computing (HPC) and high-throughput computing (HTC); resilient and high-performance storage; edge computing; custom Web stacks; and highly-secure platforms for hosting sensitive data.

We are looking for someone to:

Help with the development and maintenance of our on-site platforms (40%), focussing on computation (HPC and HTC);
Provide in-depth technical support to our users (40%);
Help write and deliver face-to-face training courses (10%);
Engage with the research community (10%).

Essential Skills

Substantial experience of using or administering HPC and/or HTC platforms.
An in-depth knowledge of the Linux operating system, including administration and support.
A good working knowledge of IT storage and networking technologies.
The ability to work as an effective part of a team and to establish productive relationships with a wide range of people including academics, researchers, both technical and non-technical IT staff and research support staff, and external partners.
Enthusiasm and initiative: the capacity to anticipate problems and find solutions; the ability to see opportunities and take advantage of them; a desire to learn new skills — both technical and non-technical; and a can-do approach to work as it arises.
Good face-to-face and written communication skills.

Desirable Skills

Experience working within an academic research environment (or a higher, preferably research, degree).
Experience of cluster administration, including scheduling systems (e.g. SLURM, SGE), imaging, monitoring, Infiniband and HA.
A good working knowledge of high-performance data storage platforms such as Lustre and/or GPFS.
Experience installing scientific software packages using a variety of methods (e.g. compilation from source, EasyBuild, containers).
Experience of using at least one high-level programming language such as BASH, Perl or Python.

Benefits

Generous annual leave allowance, including Christmas/New Year closure;
Pension scheme membership;
Well-being programme including fitness and sports facilities;
Learning and development opportunities;
Season ticket loans for public transport;
Cycle to Work Scheme;
Workplace nursery scheme;
Staff recognition schemes;
Staff discounts on a range of products and services including travel and high street savings.
https://www.manchester.ac.uk/connect/jobs/benefits-working-here

As an equal opportunities employer we welcome applicants from all sections of the community regardless of age, sex, gender (or gender identity), ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation and transgender status. All appointments are made on merit.

Our University is positive about flexible working – you can find out more here

Blended working arrangements may be considered

Please note that we are unable to respond to enquiries, accept CVs or applications from Recruitment Agencies.

Enquiries about the vacancy, shortlisting and interviews:

Name: Penny Richardson

Email: pen.richardson@manchester.ac.uk

General enquiries:

Email: People.Recruitment@manchester.ac.uk

Technical support:

Jobtrain: 0161 850 2004 https://jobseekersupport.jobtrain.co.uk/support/home

This vacancy will close for applications at midnight on the closing date.

Please see the link below for the Further Particulars document which contains the person specification criteria.