Overview
This role is part of the Research Platforms team in IT Services of the University and is focused on providing the platforms, tools, support and services that enable the University’s world leading research. The University of Sheffield is a Russell Group university with a world-wide reputation in research from engineering and advanced manufacturing to physical science, health and AI.
The team manages several research compute platforms including our High Performance Compute (HPC) clusters to enable research into AI and machine learning, science, health and biosciences and engineering. Our newest cluster has over 11,000 CPU cores, >2PB of high-performance storage and >100 high-end Nvidia GPUs.
We also support and manage the cloud (AWS) platforms that provide a secure environment for research on health and social care data to improve the health outcomes for the region, the UK and across the world.
As a Research Platforms Engineer, you would work with your colleagues across ITS to ensure that the platform is reliable and available and is configured with the software tools needed by researchers.
We are looking for talented people with a demonstrable interest in managing large, complex and high-performance computing platforms to support analytical and data processing workflows. The role represents an entry point into a career in Digital Research Infrastructure and an opportunity to develop the skills needed to run the platforms that underpin research computing and AI.
Main duties and responsibilities
- Work with the team in delivering and running research IT platforms, which can meet the diverse needs and requirements of research groups at the University of Sheffield. This includes:
- HPC compute platforms capable of running the wide spectrum of research applications
- High performance and scalable storage systems for I/O intensive compute tasks
- Developing platforms capable of providing a secure environment for storing and processing sensitive research data
- Supporting the use of cloud-based platforms and technologies by researchers
- Management and configuration of scheduling software and implementation of policies to allocate resources between users, providing the capability for research groups to purchase dedicated access to resources.
- Carry out routine maintenance tasks, and identify ways to improve and automate those tasks, across both on-prem and cloud based platforms.
- Monitor performance, availability and security of the research platforms, providing regular reports.
- Work with other members of the ITS team to provide technical guidance and ensure that we deliver the appropriate platforms to meet the requirements of UoS researchers.
- Assist research groups in migrating their activities from legacy computer clusters on campus onto an appropriate solution (using local/regional/national or cloud solutions as appropriate)
- Continue to develop innovative solutions to provide easy access to the facility, which lowers the barrier for uptake for users with little experience with high-performance computing.
- Work with vendors and service providers in order to procure and maintain infrastructure and services, which meet research computing requirements of the University.
- Carry out other duties, commensurate with the grade and remit of the post
Person
Our diverse community of staff and students recognises the unique abilities, backgrounds, and beliefs of all. We foster a culture where everyone feels they belong and is respected. Even if your past experience doesn't match perfectly with this role's criteria, your contribution is valuable, and we encourage you to apply. Please ensure that you reference the application criteria in the application statement when you apply.
Understanding and some experience of HPC and cloud based research computing platforms including job schedulers (e.g. Slurm), virtualisation (e.g. VMWare, AWS EC2), and containerisation (e.g. k8s, Docker Swarm, Podman
Knowledge of multiuser systems, user account management, authentication and permissions
Application, interview and test
Ability to work to existing admin processes and develop robust automations with future resilience, replicability and management in mind. Knowledge of Infrastructure-as-code technologies such as Puppet and CloudFormation are a distinct advantage.
Application, interview and test
Effective communication skills, both written and verbal, report writing skills, ability to write clear and accurate technical documentation.
Understanding of monitoring and managing physical and virtual computing platforms and infrastructure.
Understanding of how to use cloud infrastructure and networking to ensure system and data security
Ability to assess and organise resources, and plan and progress work activities
An inquisitive mind and a desire to explore new technologies/techniques and engage with other research computing professionals
Further Information
Research Platforms Engineering Lead
https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/it-services/about
For informal enquiries about this job contact Saul Cozens, Head of Product for Research and Innovation IT at
[email protected] Next steps in the recruitment process
It is anticipated that the selection process will take place in May 2026. This will consist of application including a submitted CV, and interview and technical test (provided in advance). Candidates selected for the interview will also get the chance to meet members of the team. We plan to let candidates know if they have progressed to the selection stage in the first week of June.
Contact the IT Services recruitment team (
[email protected]) if you require any reasonable adjustments.
If you need any support, equipment or adjustments to enable you to participate in any element of the recruitment process you can contact
[email protected]Our vision and strategic plan
We are the University of Sheffield. This is our vision: sheffield.ac.uk/vision ().
What we offer
- A minimum of 41 days annual leave including bank holiday and closure days (pro rata) with the ability to purchase more.
- Flexible working opportunities, including hybrid working for some roles.
- Generous pension scheme.
- A wide range of discounts and rewards on shopping, eating out and travel.
- A variety of staff networks, providing opportunities for social interaction, peer support and personal development (for example, Race Equality, LGBT+, Women’s and Parent’s networks).
- Recognition Awards to reward staff who go above and beyond in their role.
- A commitment to your development access to learning and mentoring schemes.
- A range of generous family-friendly policies
- paid time off for parenting and caring emergencies
- support for those going through the menopause
- paid time off and support for fertility treatment
- and more
We are a Disability Confident Employer. If you have a disability and meet the essential criteria for this job you will be invited to take part in the next stage of the selection process.
A basic DBS check will be needed for this role. More details on the checks can be found on the Government website: gov.uk/criminal-record-checks-apply-role (opens in a new window).
Possession of a criminal record is not an automatic bar to employment at the University of Sheffield. We recognise the value of steady employment in the rehabilitation process and examine each case in its own right. More information can be found on our Information for candidates page:- sheffield.ac.uk/jobs/candidates (opens in a new window).
