Department of Physics

Further Particulars - OS X, Linux/Unix Systems Administrator for Theoretical Physics

Grade 7

The Post

Applications are invited for the post of OS X, Linux/Unix Systems Administrator for the Theoretical Physics sub-department. 

Background to the Post

The Department of Physics currently comprises over 80 academic staff (Professors, Readers and Lecturers), about 170 postdoctoral researchers and engineers, 100 technical and clerical staff, plus 200 graduate students and 580 registered undergraduate students. The Department of Physics is part of the Division of Mathematical and Physical Sciences.The research undertaken by the department ranges from the Universe as a whole to the smallest sub-atomic particles.

The Theoretical Physics sub-department has currently about 25 academic staff, 20 postdoctoral fellows and about 40 graduate students. It comprises of three research groups in Theoretical Astrophysics, Theoretical Particle Physics and Theoretical Condensed Matter Physics. Theoretical Physics currently operates a Sun Ray network and will move to an Apple desktop network in the near future. It also maintains a 64 node Beowolf cluster and various Linux/Unix based compute servers.

IT support in the Physics Department is divided into two areas. Within sub departments, IT staff support the users, their physics applications and the required hardware. Central IT staff support the services which can be shared across the whole department. These include email routing, firewalls, MS windows, the physical network and its security. The post holder will need to work closely with these staff to develop an integrated and user-friendly infrastructure.

Post holder's Duties

The post-holder will work under the direction of the Head of Theoretical Physics to build up and administer a new Apple Mac based computer system for Theoretical Physics, to maintain the existing Sun Ray system in the transition period and provide user support. A more detailed description of the post holder's duties is indicated in the job description as annexed. If you require an informal discussion before applying you should request this via the contact details given below.

Application Procedure

There is no specific application form. Applicants should send a letter of application quoting reference DR07/002supported by a full curriculum vitae and the names and addresses of two referees by the closing date ofMay 14, 2007 to:

Mrs. Gill Dancey,

Rudolf Peierls Centre for Theoretical Physics,

University of Oxford,

Oxford, OX1 3NP

Email : g.dancey1@physics.ox.ac.uk

Applicants should ensure that their application includes contact numbers and addresses (telephone, fax, e-mail) which could be used to contact them quickly to arrange an interview. Applications will be acknowledged and it will be assumed that referees may be contacted at any stage unless applicants indicate otherwise.

Appointment Procedure

A selection panel consisting of IT staff from within the Department of Physics and senior academics from Theoretical Physics will consider all applications. Preference will be given to applicants who are assessed as having strong qualifications and experience in the areas indicated in the job description. Short-listed candidates will be invited for interview by the selection panel. Interviews will be held during May/June 2007. The applicant finally selected will be offered an initial 3-year appointment starting as soon as possible with a starting salary on the grade 7 salary scale, £24,886 - £30,607 depending on the selection panel's assessment of skills and experience.The appointment of an applicant who does not hold the status of a "Resident Worker" within the EC will be subject to the granting of a UK work permit.

Annexe: Job Description

Annexe

Job Description

Job Title: OS X/Linux/Unix Systems Administrator (Theoretical Physics)

Salary Grade: 7

Job Outline:

To install and maintain OS X and Linux/UNIXbased IT services required by the Theoretical Physics sub department.

Job Content:

Current requirements of the post, responsibilities cover three main areas.

1)Systems administration of OS X, Linux/Unix based systems within the Theoretical Physics sub-department.

These include:

-Building up an Apple Mac desktop network (iMac, Mac Pro) around XServe and XServe RAID.

-Administer this system (Apple-specific and Unix/X11 services) and provide user support.

-Support the current Sun Ray Linux/Solaris based network in a transition period.

-Administration of other Linux/Unix systems (compute servers) used by Theoretical Physics.

-Ensuring backups to both local tape and network based storage functions smoothly.

-Handling hardware/software calls to suppliers as necessary.

-OS Upgrades, and package management.

-Other network services including Printing, login/remote access, NTP, DHCP, NFS, NIS, batch systems (PBS), www, autofs, syslog, backups, firewall. 

2)User Support

-User support for members of the Theoretical Physics sub department.

-Authoring of Web based help for the Academic Users of the system.

-Creating and maintaining accounts

-Supporting users with the installation and setup of specialist software. 

3)Other duties will include

-To attend the ÔAdvisory Panel on Computing and Technical Committee for Physics Computing meetings with other IT staff.

-To advise the Senior Physics Systems Manager on any issues arising and on any changes or enhancements required to the services.

-Some out of hours working may be required to minimise disruption to users of the services.

Education and Experience:

The successful candidate should hold a degree in a technical subject or be able to demonstrate equivalent relevant experience.

The following experience and knowledge is highly desirable :

-Detailed knowledge of Linux/Unix operating systems management.

-Significant experience of Linux/Unix or OS X system administration in a large-network environment.

-Knowledge of network services including DHCP, NTP, NFS, NIS, www.

-Excellent organisational and communication skills.

-Ability to work independently.

The following experience would be an advantage.

-Knowledge of OS X.

-Knowledge of standard scientific software, in particular Mathematics, Maple, MatLab, IDL.

-Management of clusters and batch systems.

-C / C++ Programming.

-Experience of securing networks including the programming of firewalls. 

-OS X and MS Windows applications.