Job Purpose

The CoSE IT Research Computing Lead is responsible for leading the operational support for research computing systems in the College of Science and Engineering (CoSE), ensuring the highest standards of performance, scalability, and security. The role holder will lead a team and will possess a broad range of expertise in research computing technologies and collaborate with IT professionals and academics to enhance research and teaching through continuous improvement and innovation.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

1.  Lead and manage a team of IT Systems Engineers to ensure a secure high-quality College Research Computing function that meets technological advancements, College needs, and University policies.

2.  Plan and organise workload priorities for the Team, determining individual and/or team objectives.

3.  Work with the Principal Engineer(s) to agree a planned 18-month road map for evolving the services offered ensuring measures are in place to support the timely and budget-friendly delivery for cutting-edge research support.

4.  Introduce and support new systems and applications to inform innovative working practices, enabling complex research to be conducted and to deliver increased efficiencies and/or value.

5.  Work with College Service Resilience Team and University’s Chief Information Security Officer to secure research computing systems and data, developing and implementing recovery protocols as needed.

6.  Keep abreast of technological advancements within the field, provide expert guidance on operational practices and emerging threats/opportunities, helping shape the function's strategic direction.

7.  Work with the Principal Engineer(s) to manage multiple complex Research Computing/Cluster-based projects, ensuring timely and budget-friendly delivery for cutting-edge research support.

8.  Conduct analysis, present results and make recommendations through briefings, presentations or written reports to CoSE IT Leadership and College Leadership to inform decision making.

9.  Ensure service accessibility and compliance with relevant legislation, addressing recommendations from audits or compliance bodies, and manage staff effectively to support service delivery.

10.  Serve as a catalyst for change, leading College and University IT initiatives, promoting collaborative approaches, and championing the implementation of collective strategies like Research Computing as a Service.

11.  Any other duties and projects, appropriate to the grade, required by the Line Manager or Head of College IT.

Knowledge, Qualifications, Skills and Experience

Qualifications

Essential

A1 Ability to demonstrate the competencies required to undertake the duties associated with this level of post having acquired the necessary knowledge and skills in a similar or number of different roles. Or: Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework level 9, (Ordinary Degree, Scottish Vocational Qualification level 4), or equivalent (including professional accreditation with relevant formal training), and experience of personal development in a similar or related role(s).

Desirable

B1 Relevant professional certifications from recognised technical bodies, e.g. CompTIA Linux+ or RHCP.

Knowledge, Skills, and Experience

Essential

C1 Substantial experience in a technical or people management role in IT Infrastructure supporting research computing technology (i.e. applications, software engineering, storage, advanced instrumentations, visualisation, data analytics and management systems).

C2 Awareness of the computing requirements of researchers with a high-level of ability and broad range of data processing needs.

C3 Knowledge of scientific computing packages, their installation and operation, e.g. LAPACK, OpenMPI, CUDA.

C4 Proficient in utilising scripting languages, such as Windows PowerShell/Linux shell script.

C5 Ability to demonstrate knowledge of the architecture of several cluster design and the advantages of each.

C6 Have a deep understanding of the hardware and software components in a cluster e.g. the queueing system (Slurm, SGE, PBS etc).

C7 Excellent technical knowledge across a range of IT areas with specialist in depth knowledge of Linux/Unix enterprise server and storage technology.

C8 Highly effective communication and interpersonal skills, demonstrating creative and innovative thinking which will contribute to a world class research environment.

C9 Sound knowledge of cutting-edge technologies which will ensure our research platforms stay current and appropriate.

C10 Expert technical problem-solving skills gained over a substantial period of working at higher levels of complexity and influence.

C11 Proficient in organising and maintaining computing resources, managing multiple systems concurrently and in a timely manner to adhere to deadlines.

C12 Excellent analytical skills with confidence to challenge and continually improve, diving into the detail as necessary to understand issues (people, process, and technology).

C13 Ability to build and maintain broad network of business relationships with a good knowledge of customer behaviours, needs and expectations building an environment of trust/integrity.

C14 Proven people management skills.

C15 Be able to set clear technical requirements to achieve goals, delegate tasks, provide feedback, and be able to lead and motivate a team of professionals.

C16 Experience of working collaboratively with senior technical and non-technical colleagues with the ability to influence and negotiate at all levels including colleagues who are not part of the direct team.

C17 Experience of making informed decisions under pressure by balancing requirements with technical risk.

C18 Experience in identifying emerging technological influences/disruptors and informing the senior stakeholders of the impact of these in technical/architectural roadmaps and strategic plans.

Desirable

D1 Prior experience of working in a University or Higher Education environment.

D2 Proven experience in driving sustainable behaviour and culture change through processes or methodologies.

D3 Delivery of projects using Agile tools and techniques.

D4 Experience of informing the strategic aims of the function by contributing to the strategic planning round documentation/process.

D5 Experience in managing the full lifecycle of research computing services from initial concept through operational leading to its eventual decommissioning.

D6 Have a good understanding of IT security and resilience, including risk assessment, vulnerability management, major incident response, and backup/recovery strategies and disaster recovery.

Terms and Conditions

Salary will be Grade 7, £40,497 - £45,413 per annum.

This post is full time (35 hours per week) and open ended (permanent).

The University of Glasgow has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.  If you require a Skilled Worker visa to work in the UK, you will be required to meet the eligibility requirements of the visa route to be assigned a Certificate of Sponsorship.

Please note that this post may be eligible to be sponsored under the Skilled Worker visa route if tradeable points can be used under the Skilled Worker visa rules. For more information please visit: https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa.

Closing Date: 31 March 2025 at 23:45