About the job

Job summary

We are looking for a self-motivated, enthusiastic individual to support and work with computational biologists and chemists in the CBR Division. 

This role will include the system administration of networked Linux-based file servers and standalone Linux systems, and to a lesser extent Window-based systems. Areas of responsibility will include setting appropriate user and group permissions, and applying updates and security patches according to mandated security requirements.  Another aspect will be to help curate, manage and move large data sets, and where possible explore automating these processes to improve efficiency and robustness. It is expected that the person will also be able to give expert advice and share best practice, in particular regarding the system administration of Linux systems.

It is expected that the candidate will have core skills in the areas covered above but less experienced candidates will have the opportunity to grow into the role and pursue training to expand their skills. Whilst the position is primarily focused at supporting computational biologists and biochemists there will be opportunities to contribute technical expertise to directly support the delivery of projects, work more widely with others across the CBR Division and take part in a wider community of practice.

Dstl (the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory) delivers high-impact Science and Technology for the UK's defence, security and prosperity. In order to do this, we need people who can use their skills to innovate and develop technologies to ensure we are at the forefront of science. We work in niche areas that are sensitive in nature, operationally-critical to the UK and internationally recognised in importance.

Dstl recognises the importance of diversity and inclusion as people from diverse backgrounds bring fresh ideas. We are committed to building an inclusive working environment in which each employee fulfils their potential and maximises their contribution.

We particularly welcome female, ethnic minority and those from the LGBTQI community, as they are under-represented within Dstl at these levels.

Job description

In this role you will: 

•    Manage user account and privileges.
•    Install software and perform software updates to maintain systems.
•    Keep paperwork up to date for our bespoke IT systems.
•    Manage data, performing backups, migrations, and restorations as required.
•    Set up and monitor queuing systems (e.g. SLURM) on HPCs.
•    Ensure environments are stable and available.

You’ll work with research scientists from different scientific disciplines. Reporting your technical work to Senior Technical staff, you will be line managed by the Team Leader for the Molecular and Computational Biology team.

The Molecular and Computational Biology team is made up of scientists with a core of expertise in Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Genomics and Computational Biology.

Person specification

We are looking for someone who has:

•    Proficiency in Linux Operating Systems including administrative utilities for managing user accounts and permissions. 
•    Experience of managing data (backups, migrations, and restorations of data).
•    Familiarity with containerisation tools (e.g. Docker and Singularity).
•    Strong problem-solving and analytical abilities. 
•    Good organisational skills and ability to prioritise and plan own work to deliver to agreed standards.
•    The ability to work well with others including scientists, who may require support, or IT staff (e.g. service desk personnel, system architects or system engineers).
•    A desire to continue expanding their technical knowledge in this domain.

Technical Qualifications, Skills and Experience:

Level 4 – System Administrator

Essential:
•    A graduate degree in a relevant subject area or equivalent industry experience.
•    Experience of managing of Linux operating systems (e.g. Ubuntu and Rocky)
•    Experience of writing Bash scripts.
•    Knowledge of administering HPC systems (including scheduler software).
•    Familiar with Linux system patching and update procedures.

Level 5 – Senior System Administrator

In addition to Level 4 System Administrator requirements

Essential:
•    Understanding of Git and version control.
•    Knowledge of programming languages.
•    Experience of using automated processes and workflows.
•    Experience of setting up HPC systems. 
•    Familiarity with cloud-based technology.

Desirable:
•    Windows administration.
•    Experience of containerisation (e.g. Docker and Singularity).

Important Information

Our work in defence, security and intelligence requires our employees to be UK Nationals who are able to gain a high level of security clearance to undertake the projects we are involved in to protect us from security threats. For this reason, only UK Nationals will be able to apply for this role. If you are an international or dual-national candidate, and you think you have the skills we need, please consider applying to any of our government, security or defence partners.

This role will require full UK security clearance and you should have resided in the UK for the past 5 years. For some roles Developed Vetting will also be required, in this case you should have resided in the UK for the past 10 years.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £33,658, Defence Science and Technology Laboratory contributes £908,766 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

Things you need to know

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.

We want you to have your best chance of success in our recruitment process, so If at any stage of the application process you would like help or assistance please contact the Dstl Recruitment Team dstlrecruitment@dstl.gov.uk and we will do all we can to support you.

Applications will be sifted on w/c 15th July. Interviews will be held w/c 12th August.

Candidates will be asked to express which level they would like to be sifted against in their application. Candidates may be offered the opportunity to interview for either a level 4 or 5 position based on their sift score.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new window).

See our vetting charter (opens in a new window). People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

Open to UK nationals only.

This job is not open to candidates who hold a dual nationality.

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window). The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria. The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.