Job summary
The work of the Pathogen Genomics Unit is world-class and offers a varied, challenging and rewarding work environment. This is an opportunity to be at the forefront of Public Health Microbiology in Wales and internationally. The Bioinformatics team in the Pathogen Genomics Unit (PenGU) is the software development and analysis support arm of the Public Health Genomics Programme, and operates an in-house Linux computer cluster. This team supports genomic diagnostics, bespoke software development, genomic surveillance of communicable disease and infections in Wales, and Health Protection Teams in outbreak investigation and control.
This role is a permanent post of a dedicated System Administrator to join our Pathogen Genomics Unit. This role is crucial for the smooth operation, security, and performance of our Linux computer cluster, which is vital for processing and analysing next-generation sequencing (NGS) data of clinical samples.
Main duties of the job
The postholder will be responsible for the day-to-day management of the Linux computer cluster within the Pathogen Genomics Unit. They will work closely with the team to maintain the cluster infrastructure, troubleshoot issues, and develop and implement necessary improvements to support the unit's clinical, public health and research objectives.
The ability to speak Welsh is desirable for this post; Welsh and/or English speakers are equally welcome to apply .
About us
Public Health Wales is the National Public Health Institute in Wales. Our vision is 'Working to achieve a healthier future for Wales'. We play a pivotal role in driving improvements in population health and well-being, reducing health inequalities, improving healthcare outcomes, protecting the public and supporting the development of health in all policies across Wales.
Never more has public health been so important as we come through the Coronavirus pandemic, face the challenges of the cost-of-living crisis and tackle and prevent the harmful effects of climate change. We are an organisation that places ourselves at the heart of supporting people, communities, partners, and the Welsh Government in addressing these major challenges and providing solutions for action.
Our organisation is guided by our Values, 'Working together, with trust and respect, to make a difference'. We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace that values equality, diversity and inclusion. We welcome applications which represent the rich diversity of the communities we serve and from those wishing to work part time or on a job share basis.
To find out more about working for us and the benefits we offer please visit https://phw.nhs.wales/careers/
For guidance on the application process, please visit https://phw.nhs.wales/working-for-us/applicant-information-and-guidance/
Job description
Job responsibilities
The post holder will be:
Responsible for the day-to-day monitoring and management of servers, with a particular focus on Linux systems including Rocky/RHEL distributions.
Tasked with supporting the setup, configuration, and ongoing maintenance of Linux clusters to ensure optimal performance and reliability.
Expected to support the managing of private HPC cloud platforms such as OpenStack and VMware, including monitoring and allocating computing resources for new and existing virtual machines.
Responsible for applying firmware, system software and security updates to maintain security and compliance standards.
Expected to drive collaboration with the PenGU team to understand the needs of the service and provide technical solutions to support their objectives.
Responsible for documenting cluster configurations, procedures, and troubleshooting steps to maintain an up-to-date knowledge base.
Expected to drive continuous improvement in cluster performance and reliability by staying current with industry trends and emerging technologies.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The post holder will be:
Responsible for the day-to-day monitoring and management of servers, with a particular focus on Linux systems including Rocky/RHEL distributions.
Tasked with supporting the setup, configuration, and ongoing maintenance of Linux clusters to ensure optimal performance and reliability.
Expected to support the managing of private HPC cloud platforms such as OpenStack and VMware, including monitoring and allocating computing resources for new and existing virtual machines.
Responsible for applying firmware, system software and security updates to maintain security and compliance standards.
Expected to drive collaboration with the PenGU team to understand the needs of the service and provide technical solutions to support their objectives.
Responsible for documenting cluster configurations, procedures, and troubleshooting steps to maintain an up-to-date knowledge base.
Expected to drive continuous improvement in cluster performance and reliability by staying current with industry trends and emerging technologies.
Person Specification
Qualifications and Knowledge
Essential
- A degree in a computer science discipline or equivalent level of knowledge and skills working to support system administration of HPC environments.
- Familiarity with current RHEL or Debian based Linux distributions.
- Understanding of networking concepts, including TCP/IP, DNS, and DHCP.
- Knowledge of system monitoring tools and techniques for monitoring system performance and health.
- A broad basic knowledge of information governance, data security and privacy issues
- Familiarity with scripting languages, such as Bash, Python or PowerShell
- Good understanding of backup and recovery procedures for data protection
Desirable
- A postgraduate degree in a computer science discipline or equivalent experience
- Certification in system administration or related areas (e.g. Red Hat Certified System Administrator)
- Background in a system administration or IT field
- Understanding of virtualization technologies and their applications in system administration.
- Confident in the use of scripting languages for automation.
- Basic knowledge of public health and health service organization in Wales.
Experience
Essential
- Experience in service-level system administration or a related field.
- Practical experience with system administration tasks, including software installation, configuration, and troubleshooting.
- Experience in local network configuration.
- Experience of project-based working.
- Experience of producing written reports and working to deadlines.
Desirable
- Experience in Linux system administration in a professional setting.
- Experience of working in software development and of software versioning systems.
- Experience with virtualization technologies such as VMware, Hyper-V, OpenStack.
- Experience in communicating technical information to non-technical users.
- Experience of research and development.
Skills and Attributes
Essential
- Proficiency in Linux commands and shell scripting.
- Good problem-solving skills, with the ability to analyse and resolve technical issues efficiently.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including report writing and documentation in appropriate formats.
- Ability to monitor workload, work to agreed objectives, set priorities and meet deadlines
- Proficient in the use of standard Microsoft software, such as Outlook, Teams, Word, Excel, PowerPoint.
- Eagerness to learn and grow in a technical role, with a commitment to continuous personal development.
- Able to work independently and as a member of a team, with high levels of motivation
- Able to respond calmly to unpredictable work patterns and meet urgent deadlines
- Conscientious and pays attention to detail
- Ability to maintain required levels of confidentiality
- Flexible, adaptable and innovative approach to work
- Ability to demonstrate understanding and application of our workplace values, together with the underpinning behaviours identified for success in this role
Desirable
- Skilled in Linux based network management
- Skilled in provisioning automation tools such as Ansible.
- Ability to plan and organise a number of concurrent projects
- Ability to communicate complex requirements to non-specialists and collaboratively develop solutions
- Positive attitude and willingness to collaborate with team members to achieve common goals.
- Ability to work independently and take initiative in solving problems and completing tasks.
- Able to engage with people at all levels
- Welsh Language Skills are desirable at levels 1 to 5 in understanding, speaking, reading, and writing in Welsh
Other
Essential
- Ability to travel between sites in a timely manner to meet the needs of the service
Person Specification
Qualifications and Knowledge
Essential
- A degree in a computer science discipline or equivalent level of knowledge and skills working to support system administration of HPC environments.
- Familiarity with current RHEL or Debian based Linux distributions.
- Understanding of networking concepts, including TCP/IP, DNS, and DHCP.
- Knowledge of system monitoring tools and techniques for monitoring system performance and health.
- A broad basic knowledge of information governance, data security and privacy issues
- Familiarity with scripting languages, such as Bash, Python or PowerShell
- Good understanding of backup and recovery procedures for data protection
Desirable
- A postgraduate degree in a computer science discipline or equivalent experience
- Certification in system administration or related areas (e.g. Red Hat Certified System Administrator)
- Background in a system administration or IT field
- Understanding of virtualization technologies and their applications in system administration.
- Confident in the use of scripting languages for automation.
- Basic knowledge of public health and health service organization in Wales.
Experience
Essential
- Experience in service-level system administration or a related field.
- Practical experience with system administration tasks, including software installation, configuration, and troubleshooting.
- Experience in local network configuration.
- Experience of project-based working.
- Experience of producing written reports and working to deadlines.
Desirable
- Experience in Linux system administration in a professional setting.
- Experience of working in software development and of software versioning systems.
- Experience with virtualization technologies such as VMware, Hyper-V, OpenStack.
- Experience in communicating technical information to non-technical users.
- Experience of research and development.
Skills and Attributes
Essential
- Proficiency in Linux commands and shell scripting.
- Good problem-solving skills, with the ability to analyse and resolve technical issues efficiently.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including report writing and documentation in appropriate formats.
- Ability to monitor workload, work to agreed objectives, set priorities and meet deadlines
- Proficient in the use of standard Microsoft software, such as Outlook, Teams, Word, Excel, PowerPoint.
- Eagerness to learn and grow in a technical role, with a commitment to continuous personal development.
- Able to work independently and as a member of a team, with high levels of motivation
- Able to respond calmly to unpredictable work patterns and meet urgent deadlines
- Conscientious and pays attention to detail
- Ability to maintain required levels of confidentiality
- Flexible, adaptable and innovative approach to work
- Ability to demonstrate understanding and application of our workplace values, together with the underpinning behaviours identified for success in this role
Desirable
- Skilled in Linux based network management
- Skilled in provisioning automation tools such as Ansible.
- Ability to plan and organise a number of concurrent projects
- Ability to communicate complex requirements to non-specialists and collaboratively develop solutions
- Positive attitude and willingness to collaborate with team members to achieve common goals.
- Ability to work independently and take initiative in solving problems and completing tasks.
- Able to engage with people at all levels
- Welsh Language Skills are desirable at levels 1 to 5 in understanding, speaking, reading, and writing in Welsh
Other
Essential
- Ability to travel between sites in a timely manner to meet the needs of the service
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Additional information
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Employer details
Employer name
Public Health Wales
Address
Wales Genomic Health Centre, Cardiff Edge Business Park
Longwood Drive, Whitchurch
Cardiff
CF147YU
Employer's website
https://phw.nhs.wales/ (Opens in a new tab)
