Job Title: HPC Systems Administrator (NQCC)
Salary: Band D S1 £42,840 OR Band E S1 £53,818 gross per annum (Depending upon experience)
Location: Harwell Campus, Oxfordshire, UK
Contract Type: Permanent
Hours: Full time or Part time (minimum 0.8FTE) (We understand the importance of work-life balance, and offer flexible working, but do require at least 4 days a week on-site)
Due to the requirement of obtaining an enhanced security clearance for this role, we are only able to accept applications from persons who have been resident in the UK for the last 5 years. We cannot sponsor visa applications for this role.
Come and do the kind of computing that got you into technology in the first place. Work with cutting-edge tech and world-leading scientists and engineers. And harness the power of some of the country’s most advances supercomputers to tackle work that improves daily life
in the UK and far beyond.
Put simply, come and discover the impact you can make when you’re equipped, encouraged and inspired to perform to your very best.
About the role:
We have an exciting opportunity for an HPC System Administrator to join the National Quantum Computing Centre (NQCC). As part of the Operations Team reporting to the Deputy Director (Operations), the HPC Systems Administrator is essential to the delivery of our ambitious technology roadmap for supporting quantum computing for the UK.
The ideal candidate will join a small team of system administrators overseeing a range of IT systems, including traditional HPC, cloud-based platforms, quantum computing, AI support systems, and more. They will collaborate with the NQCC Control Systems and Quantum Hardware teams to provide diverse operating systems, simulation software, storage, backup support, and quantum-classical integration technologies. The ideal candidate should possess hands-on experience in HPC, GPU, and emerging technologies, strong technical leadership skills, and the ability to maintain relationships with stakeholders. Managing technical documentation, addressing risks, supporting diverse computational infrastructure, and reporting to the HPC/IT Systems Manager and Senior Leadership, are also key aspects of the role.
What will I be doing?
In this role, your responsibilities encompass comprehensive management of NQCC’s compute services, involving deployment, configuration, and maintenance. Oversight of system performance, resource allocation, and problem resolution for hardware and software falls under your purview. You also play a pivotal role in networking services within the HPC ecosystem, ensuring seamless connectivity among compute nodes, GPU clusters, and storage systems. Robust security measures implementation to safeguard systems, Cloud services, and data from cyber threats is a critical aspect. Staying updated on security practices, you propose enhancements for fortified system security. Storage solutions management, user support, and performance tuning are also within your domain. Automation through configuration management tools, devising backup and disaster recovery strategies, and collaboration with IT teams and researchers for tailored solutions are key. Maintaining comprehensive documentation for infrastructure, configurations, and procedures is essential.
Supporting computational projects, adhering to standards, security, and governance while advocating for positive change completes the role. Accurate reporting, collaboration with evaluation, and driving continuous improvement are integral to your responsibilities.
This is an outline description of the key responsibilities and accountabilities involved in the job. This is not an exhaustive list, and the successful applicant might be expected to undertake any other duties across NQCC, appropriate to the Band / level of responsibility for which post-holder has necessary experience and/or training.
Our Benefits:
UKRI recognises and values employees as individuals and aim to provide a pay and rewards package that motivates staff to perform to the best of their ability. The reward package includes a flexible working scheme (subject to business requirements), generous average-salary Defined Benefit pension scheme, and 30 days annual leave allowance plus 10.5 bank holiday/privilege days and several other benefits.
What experience do I need?
Prior knowledge of quantum computing is not required to apply for this role, but it would be an advantage. We offer significant development and training opportunities. Applicants for this role should meet the following criteria:
Essential:
• Systems Administration hands-on experience / proficiency in Linux (e.g., RHEL, SLES, Ubuntu).
• IT and HPC server hardware knowledge, some networking infrastructure awareness.
• Strong grasp of HPC, networking, cybersecurity, encryption, and cloud services.
• Diagnosing system and software issues.
• Effective communication and presentation skills.
• Skilled at relationship-building, collaborative team player and stakeholder influencing.
• Efficient time management and problem-solving abilities.
Desirable:
• Proficient in project management tools and techniques, including risk assessment.
• HPC language proficiency (C/C++, Fortran)
• Proficient in HPC programming languages (Python, CSH, etc.) (Band E)
• Proficient in Parallel programming (MPI, OpenMP, CUDA, OpenACC)
• Skilled in job schedulers and resource managers (SLURM, Altair PBS, UGE) (Band E)
• Knowledge of storage filesystems (Lustre, GPFS, BeeGFS, CEPH etc.) (Band E)
• Cloud/Container experience (OpenStack, Kubernetes, Docker or Podman)
• Quantum computing expertise and/or Relevant degree level education
You would need to be available to occasionally travel/work within the UK and overseas for workshops, conferences, and meeting, when required.
Who are we?
The National Quantum Computing Centre (NQCC) is a new research centre funded by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) through the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) and the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC), which is dedicated to accelerating the development of quantum computing by addressing the challenges of scalability.
How do I apply for this role?
Please submit your Covering Letter (up to 2 pages) and CV that clearly outlines how you fulfil the role criteria along with your motivation to join NQCC, as attachments on your application. Please ensure that your name and the job reference number are in the file name of each document uploaded. Note that failure to address the above criteria or submit your application without a covering letter may result in your application not being considered.
Security Clearance
Due to the nature of the role, and a requirement to support diverse projects, the successful candidate is required to successfully complete national pre-employment control checks to the BPSS (Baseline Personnel Security Standard) to fulfil the role. BPSS checks can take between 9-12 working days.
Once in post you will need to successfully complete a Security Check (SC) clearance.
What could you achieve with the world-leading facilities and experts of one of Europe’s largest research organisations by your side?
Join us and discover what’s possible!
About the National Quantum Computing Centre (NQCC)
As part of the UK’s National Quantum Technologies Programme, UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) is leading a programme to establish a National Quantum Computing Centre, which includes a commitment of £93m over 5 years, dedicated to drive development in the field of Quantum Computing and to place the UK at the forefront of the field. The Centre is a joint initiative of the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) and the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC).
A purpose-built National Quantum Computing Centre will be built and operated by UKRI at the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) campus in Oxfordshire. The Centre will be open and operational by December 2022. Until then, the NQCC’s activities are taking place in other facilities on the Harwell Campus or at partnering institutions. The NQCC will sit alongside other departments within the STFC National Laboratories and will be part of the broader National Quantum Technologies Programme (NQTP).
The primary purpose of the NQCC is to fill a key gap in the research and innovation landscape addressing the challenge of scaling quantum computing. However, this technology is immature and extensive development work is needed to scale the fundamental science to provide usable computing systems.
The NQCC’s initial 5 years will focus on developing a Noisy Intermediate Scale Quantum (NISQ) machine to demonstrate the technology as well as software, algorithm and applications development. The longer-term aim is to scale the technology towards an error and noise-free fault-tolerant machine capability with benchmarking and verification demonstrated in collaboration with the UK and international partners. The NQCC will give assured and direct access to early prototype machines to developers and promote the formation of a strong UK-based quantum computing supply chain.
About The Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC)
As one of Europe’s largest research organisations, we ask the biggest questions in the universe to find answers that change the world around us. We seek understanding. We’re proud of the impact we make. And we’re committed to helping build a globally competitive, knowledge-based UK economy. Being part of all this means contributing to work that pushes boundaries and creates possibilities. You’ll work with, and learn from, true experts. Whatever your role, you’ll be free to question, and encouraged to share ideas. And, in a positive and supportive culture, you’ll discover just what a difference you can make when you’re equipped and inspired to excel.
We’re a place where curious minds thrive. Not bound by profit, we explore ideas that others don’t, ask questions that others won’t, and discover answers that others are not equipped to find. And, alongside Mars landings and black holes, we also explore diverse, international projects in everything from science and engineering to computing and technology. Whether it’s at the cutting edge or behind the scenes, our work is intellectually challenging. It’s very often ground-breaking. And it’s endlessly, irresistibly fascinating.
For more information about STFC please visit https://stfc.ukri.org/
You can also visit our careers site https://www.stfccareers.co.uk/
About UK Research Innovation (UKRI)
UKRI is an organisation that brings together the seven disciplinary research councils, Research England and Innovate UK. Together, we build an independent organisation with a strong voice and vision ensuring the UK maintains its world-leading position in research and innovation.
Supporting some of the world’s most exciting and challenging research projects, we develop and operate some of the most remarkable scientific facilities in the world. We are pushing the frontiers of human knowledge through fundamental research and delivering benefits for UK society and the economy through world-class research, skills and business-led innovation.
More information can be found at www.ukri.org.
Choosing to come to work at UKRI means that you will have access to a whole host of benefits from a defined benefit pension scheme, excellent holiday entitlement, access to employee shopping/travel discounts and salary sacrifice cycle to work scheme. For more details, visit benefits of working for UKRI.
The role holder will be required to have the appropriate level of security screening/vetting required for the role. UKRI reserves the right to run or re-run security clearance as required during the course of employment.
How we support EDI in the workforce
At UKRI, we believe that everyone has a right to be treated with dignity and respect, and to be provided with equal opportunities to thrive and succeed in an environment that enables them to do so. We also value diversity of thought and experience within inclusive groups, organisations and the wider community. For further information, please visit ‘How we support EDI in the workforce’.
Disability Confident Employer
As users of the disability confident scheme, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the vacancy/ies. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.
How to apply
Online applications only preferred for this role. Please submit a CV and covering letter which clearly outlines how you fulfil the criteria specified along with your motivation for UKRI and the role. Ensure that the job reference number is included in the filename description of each document uploaded. Note that failure to address the above criteria or submit an application without a covering letter may result in the application not being considered. Assessment will only be based upon the content of your submitted covering letter and CV and not the ‘experience’ section of the application.
Additional Information
- Organisation: Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) – National Quantum Computing Centre
- Contract Type: Open Ended
- External Closing Date: Jun 30, 2024
- Minimum Salary: Pound Sterling (GBP) 42,840
- Hours: Full-time / Part-time