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There are 4 positions available from August/September. They are at the Institute of Astronomy, The Departments of Chemistry, Earth Science and Mathematics. The exact start dates will be by negotiation.
About us
The Institute of Astronomy is engaged in teaching and research in the fields of theoretical and observational Astronomy, and is one of the largest research institutes devoted to astronomy in the UK. There is a strong focus on data-intensive research involving large scale data sets generated by high performance computers or observations with ground based telescopes and space satellites. The IT team delivers network and computing services (mostly Linux-based, some Windows-based), and provides desktop, laptop and audiovisual support for all the Institute.
The Department of Earth Sciences is the top Earth Science department in the 2016 Complete University Guide for the UK, in international league tables we are consistently listed in the top five. The role of IT is central to much of the research carried out in the department, this includes developing sophisticated computer models of how the Earth works and interrogating large datasets produced from instrumentation in our labs.
The Faculty of Mathematics is formed from two of the world's outstanding Mathematics Departments. To support research and teaching we have a large amount of computing power, consisting mainly of a sophisticated heterogeneous network of UNIX computers with some Windows and Mac OSX systems.
The Department of Chemistry enjoys a world class reputation as a centre of excellence for Chemical Research and Teaching. This is underpinned by the application of wide range of IT technologies and solutions to meet the aims of the Department. We wish to appoint four trainee students: one each in the Departments at Mathematics, Chemistry, Astronomy and Earth Sciences to provide IT support to the community of researchers, students and support staff.
The key responsibilities of the roles include:
- Share in staffing the Help Desk with other members of the team: triaging the problems as they come in and assigning them to the appropriate support queue or person.
- Perform first line support duties chiefly but not exclusively on Linux, Windows and Mac platforms.
- Perform a share of the procurement, installation, configuration, decommissioning and disposal of desktop hardware.
- Manage user access to data and resources using the standard tools of the Departments.
- Develop scripts and code under the guidance of senior technical members of the team to improve delivery of IT services.
- Assist with the installation, configuration, and disposal of server hardware.
These "Sandwich Student" roles will provide a great opportunity for a self-starting student to gain valuable work experience in a team supporting a complex environment with real users. The major element of the role will be providing front line support. Training and support will be provided for learning technologies such as Python where appropriate.
Click the 'Apply' button below to register an account with our recruitment system (if you have not already) and apply online.
For informal queries please contact Emma Graham (ejg49@cam.ac.uk).
Please quote reference MA34948 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.
The Department holds an Athena SWAN silver award for women in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Medicine.
The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.
The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.
