Senior HPC Technical Manager

Consortium of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Voluntary and Community Organisations Limited; North East; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading educational institution in North East England seeks an expert for the COSMA HPC system. Responsibilities include system operation, user support, and collaboration with technical teams. Ideal candidates will hold a relevant degree and possess significant experience in Linux and HPC technologies. This role includes substantial professional development opportunities and benefits such as extensive leave and pension schemes.

Benefits

30 days annual leave plus public holidays

Generous pension scheme

Health and wellbeing support

Staff volunteering opportunities

Qualifications

• Significant HPC expertise, including command-line operation.
• Experience leading teaching or research projects.
• Ability to provide specialist advice to customers.

Responsibilities

• Operate and develop the COSMA HPC system.
• Provide expert user support and maintain system efficiency.
• Lead and coordinate software/hardware initiatives.

Skills

Linux administration

HPC tools

Bash/Python scripting

Network management

Problem-solving

Education

Degree level education or equivalent experience

Tools

OpenStack

Docker

Kubernetes

Ansible

Job description

Role Overview

Fixed‑term position for 2 years (potential extension) at the Institute of Computational Cosmology, Durham University's Department of Physics. This role is primarily responsible for the operation and ongoing development of the COSMA High Performance Computing (HPC) system, providing expert user support and leading both software and hardware initiatives that will shape the future of UK HPC.

Key duties include routine and emergency maintenance, user liaison, optimisation of research codes for supercomputing platforms, and collaboration with DiRAC technical support teams across the UK. The role offers hands‑on experience with OpenStack, Ansible, Docker, Kubernetes, Bash, Python, and traditional HPC server administration.

Key Responsibilities

• Operate and develop the COSMA HPC system.
• Provide expert user support and maintain system efficiency.
• Lead and coordinate software/hardware initiatives for UK HPC.
• Collaborate with COSMA staff and DiRAC teams for service delivery.
• Optimise cosmology and physical science codes for supercomputing execution.
• Attend conferences, HPC events, and regular meetings with UK HPC facilities.
• Engage in training and professional development activities.

Qualifications & Experience

• Degree level education (or equivalent experience).
• Significant Linux and/or HPC expertise, including command‑line operation.
• Experience in networks sharing best practice and building professional relationships.
• Experience implementing policies and procedures that support service improvement.
• Expertise in Linux system management, software installation, OpenStack, Ansible, Docker, Kubernetes, networking, security, data analysis, and system monitoring.
• Experience leading teaching or research projects in educational, commercial or industrial settings.
• Ability to provide specialist advice to a wide range of customers, including senior colleagues and the UK research community.
• Resident or intention to reside within 30 minutes of the Physics department.
• Physical ability to access and manipulate computer and data‑centre hardware.

Skills, Abilities & Knowledge

• Excellent spoken and written communication; build effective relationships internally and externally.
• Proficiency in Linux administration, job scheduling (SLURM), Bash/Python scripting, networks, storage, and HPC tools.
• Recognition of industry and professional standards, evidence of ongoing training in HPC technologies.
• Commitment to continuous professional development.
• Problem‑solving, strategic planning, regulatory compliance, and teaching/training capabilities.

Desirable Criteria

• End‑user engagement and user support experience.
• HPC experience (computing, storage, networking).
• OpenStack, Docker, Ansible, Kubernetes expertise.
• Up‑to‑date knowledge of system security.
• Ability to work to deadlines, manage unexpected issues.
• Experience in web frameworks, virtualization, containers.
• Fluent Python and Bash scripting.
• Leadership of sub‑projects, data interpretation, server maintenance.
• Long‑term strategic planning, database, data curation, HPC solutions.
• Management and development experience across large technical service teams.
• Knowledge of SLURM scheduler and Lustre storage solutions.

How to Apply

To progress to the assessment stage, candidates must provide evidence for all essential criteria listed above. You are encouraged to submit evidence for desirable criteria, though this is at the discretion of the recruiting panel. Applications are preferred online; updates will be sent via the university's recruitment system.

What You Need to Submit

• A CV
• A cover letter with a supporting statement outlining how you meet the criteria, with examples where necessary.

For any inquiries about the role, contact Alastair Basden ([e-mail]).

Working at Durham

A competitive salary is part of many benefits you’ll receive, including:

• 30 days annual leave plus 8 public holidays and 4 customary days (42 days total).
• Emergency work during the university’s Christmas/New Year closure.
• Generous pension scheme (USS).
• Parking, cycle‑to‑work scheme, bus/trains discount.
• Comprehensive professional development courses and pathways.
• Health and wellbeing support, gym facilities, Employee Assistance Programme.
• On‑site nursery and holiday camps for children 5‑16.
• Family‑friendly policies (maternity, adoption, generous leave).
• Staff volunteering opportunities.
• Discount portal (supermarkets, retailers, Apple, cinema, attractions).
• Salary sacrifice scheme.
• Relocation assistance, visa support, interest‑free loan for dependants.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

Durham University is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion. We encourage applications from under‑represented groups, including disabled, women, and BAME communities. We make reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process. To apply, please refer to the university's privacy statement for data handling. The university also ensures compliance with immigration requirements for international candidates.