Senior Research Platforms Engineer (HPC)

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.

Applying

Please apply via the University website: https://www.jobs.manchester.ac.uk/Job/JobDetail?JobId=29924