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Job description
Summary details
Unit name:
Division/Section:
Job title
Reports to:
*Salary range:
*Band (Grade):
*Contract type (e.g. Open/Fixed term):
*Hours (e.g. full or part time):
Detailed job description
MRC Biostatistics Unit
Computing
Unix System Administrator
IT Manager
£26,282 - £37,040
Band 4
Open Ended
Full-time
The BSU operates a multi platform infrastructure (Windows, Macintosh, Linux and Solaris) and currently
has a total of ~120 deployed systems, including a broad range of software and support of servers,
compute engines as well as desktop facilities.
Overall purpose:
 To provide technical expertise on Unix/Linux based servers, Virtualisation and Networking services in
the provision of the Unit’s IT functions at an enterprise level to the Scientific Support and Administrative
staff.
 As a Unix/Linux Systems Administrator, the successful candidate will work as an integral part of the
System Administration team to securely administer the Unit’s computing systems and networks. To
undertake day-to-day and long term technical support/projects.
Key responsibilities:
 The post’s function requires sound judgement in order to evaluate unfolding innovations in relation to
their relevance to the Unit’s computing needs and probable use. This means also that the post holder must
be conversant with recent technology. The post holder will be expected to keep abreast of relevant
technical literature in all forms and may be expected to attend relevant meetings and conferences to
achieve this. Many of the tasks involved require foresight to enable good planning and to make efficient
use of available resources. The post-holder will also be expected to tackle difficult and frequently
protracted problems with skills and determination to obtain successful results efficiently.
 The post-holder will be expected to manage and complete projects as directed by the IT Manager. These
may involve independent working or working with other members of the computer group; such projects
may have a time scale of many months and may have deadlines that need to be met.
Main duties:
 To be the technical lead, implement and administer Unix/Linux based server systems in both physical and
virtualised environments.
 To manage and administer Unix mail server (Exim, Dovecot), including email access via webmail
(Roundcube).
 To be the main technical lead in the administration of NIS/LDAP, NFS, and DNS servers, including other
networking services.
 Manage and upgrade the Unit’s network architecture, switches and dedicated firewall configuration and
apply sound experience in Cisco Routers/Switches or dedicated firewall appliances.
 To have responsibility for the implementation and monitoring of the Unit’s IT security policy on the Unix
Systems – including maintaining awareness of new security issues amongst UNIX users as they arise.
Making recommendations for protection against these and implementing any agreed new measures
required.
 To monitor compliance of policies on Internet access network and system activities.
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To manage and deploy services onto a virtualised platform using VMware vSphere where appropriate.
To configure and administer NAS storage systems and related protocols –CIFS/NFS, including backup
tools.
To provide backup assistance and the maintenance of large file systems.
Creating and documenting describing the systems configuration and operations.
Contribute to writing of Disaster Recovery processes documentation, as directed.
To handle any helpdesk queries escalated at level 3.
Responsibility for maintenance and development of HPC clusters and related future scientific computing
equipment working closely with the HPC engineers at Cambridge University.
To provide general technical assistance as required in the software and hardware diagnostics across the
platforms (PC, Macintosh and Unix equipment) in the Unit. This includes direct involvement in all
aspects of installation, upgrades and maintenance.
Depending on skills and experience, potentially to be Deputy IT Manager, in receipt of a deputising
allowance, and with responsibility for overseeing the work of the group during standard short periods of
absence. This role would rotate between band 4 Systems Administrators if both had the skills and
experience required.
Ability to evaluate and install new products as the trends in the technology advances to fit the needs of
the Units IT requirements. Advise on the appropriate hardware and software specification.
Given the technical nature of the role, post holder has autonomy to review and recommend to the IT
Manager technical administration standards within IT infrastructure. For the right candidate, training will
be encouraged in newer technologies.
Working relationships:
IT Manager (B3)
Helpdesk Engineer
(B5)
Systems Administrator
(B4)
UNIX Systems
Administrator (B4)
The post-holder will report to the IT Manger and will liaise with other Research Support staff, postdoctoral scientists and students within the group and across the BSU and with external collaborators.
Additional information:
o The post-holder may be expected to supervise and train new members of the computer group.
Equality & Diversity
The MRC values the diverse skills and experience of its employees and is committed to achieving equality of treatment
for all. Our objectives are that all individuals shall have equal opportunities for employment and advancement on the
basis of their skills, aptitudes and abilities. The MRC is committed to the engagement and retention of the best possible
talent and to creating an environment that encourages excellence in scientific research through good equalities and
diversity leadership and management.
Corporate/Local responsibilities & requirements
The job holder must at all times carry out their responsibilities with due regard to the MRC’s:
 Code of Conduct
 Equality and Diversity policy
 Health and Safety policy
 Data Protection and Information Security policy
 The MRC’s obligation to comply with IT-related legislation, for example the Data Protection,
BSU Unix Systems Administrator Job description & person specification
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Regulation of Investigatory Powers, Copyright designs and Patents and other Acts of Parliament.
Job descriptions should be reviewed on a regular basis and at the annual appraisal. Any changes
should be made and agreed between the post holder and their manager.
The above is not exhaustive and the job holder is required to undertake such duties as may
reasonably be requested within the scope of the post. All employees are required to act
professionally, co-operatively and flexibly in line with the requirements of the post and the MRC.
Person requirements
Education / Qualifications / Training required:
Essential:
Educated to Scientific/Computing degree or equivalent IT related Professional level qualifications
/experience.
Desirable:
Any formal Computing qualifications Unix/Cisco based.
Previous work experience required:
Essential:
 Significant experience in Unix (Solaris) and Linux systems administration and development in a mixed
computing environment; including networks, security, hardware, diagnostics, troubleshooting the most
difficult of problems. This will include experience in NIS, LDAP, DNS, NFS and Unix based Email
Server.
 Proven experience of Cisco and firewall networking technologies.
Knowledge and experience:
Essential:
 A strong background in installation, configuration and management of servers in heterogeneous network
environment. (Unix/Linux, Windows, Mac).
 Experience in installation, configuration and implementation of Solaris (10 and above), Linux (servers.
 Experience in migration of network services from Solaris to Linux platform. Essential to understand and
have had proven experience in (installation, configuration and implementation) of the networking
services: DNS, NIS/LDAP, NFS.
 Thorough understanding of Cisco routers or installation and management of dedicated firewall systems.
Potential candidate should have excellent knowledge and understanding of security principals to protect
the network.
 To be able to analysis router logs and identifies any potential risk to the network.
 To be able to analyse system logs and identify potential issues with computer systems. Able to
recommend third party reporting tools.
 Proven experience in configuration, management and implementation of Unix based operating system
mail server: Mail based skills (Exim, Dovecot, Mailman, or similar mail based skill set).
 Experience in management and implementation in VMware virtualization.
 Experience in administration of NAS storage systems e.g. NetApp file storage, to serve network file
system protocols to both Windows and Linux users.
 Excellent scripting skills.
Desirable:
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Be familiar and experience in automation Linux servers and desktops.
Experience of managing Sun Servers.
Background knowledge of Solaris Volume manager and ZFS file systems. Familiar with or interest in
emerging use of High Performance Clustering.
Be able to Administer of Windows Server Active Directory.
Experience in configuration and administration of networking topology and TCP/IP protocols. To
investigate the introduction of Network Address Translation (NAT) as a way of simplifying network
administration and security.
Personal Style and Behaviour:
Essential:
 Excellent problem solving capabilities; the ability to work independently as well as part of team.
 Excellent organisation skills e.g. ability to prioritise and multi task, lead technical projects, guide the
team, and complete the project within defined timescales. A good decision maker and diligent in the
execution of tasks.
 Excellent interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills.
 Willingness to learn and develop personal skills.
 A can-do proactive approach to work and a willingness to help others use IT effectively.
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