Cloud Engineer (Fixed Term)
We are seeking an experienced and enthusiastic Cloud Engineer to be based at the Institute of Astronomy (www.ast.cam.ac.uk) in collaboration with the Research Computing Services (www.hpc.cam.ac.uk) at the University of Cambridge. This role is part of a new and exciting initiative to develop the UK SKA Regional Centre, (UKSRC: www.uksrc.org) for the Square Kilometre Array Observatory (SKAO: www.skao.int), the world's largest radio telescope. You will join a diverse team working in collaboration with national and international colleagues to help develop, deliver and operate the UKSRC and international Network of SKA Regional Centres (SRCNet) cloud infrastructure and computing resources, as an integral part of the development of the SKA Observatory project (www.skao.int). The UKSRC project, benefits from contributions from the Universities of Cambridge, Durham, Edinburgh, Hertfordshire, London (UCL), Manchester and the UKRI STFC Scientific Computing Division.
The successful candidate will become part of a diverse team of systems engineers, research software engineers and data scientists, developing advanced solutions to support world-class science and via the delivery of configurable, robust distributed digital research infrastructure service for processing data, and supporting the scientific exploitation of observational data, obtained with the world's largest radio telescope running on a Kubernetes (K8s) open-souplatform. In addition, this role will have the opportunity to support the development of similar cloud-based infrastructure for the Cambridge Centre of Excellence in Astronomical Data (CamCEAD), based at the Institute of Astronomy to support a range of data-intensive ground and space-based imaging and spectroscopic missions and research projects.
Skills and Experience
Preferred:
- Hands on experience in deploying and administering Linux operating systems.
- Familiarity of Ansible & Terraform for configuration management & IAC.
- Experience of virtualization technologies and cloud architecture, preferably but not limited to OpenStack.
- Proven ability to work effectively within a team and individually.
- Basic knowledge of scripting languages primarily with Python & Bash.
- Experience of CI/CD principles, ideally but not essentially using a GitOps approach, using Helm & Kustomize.
- Software development lifecycle tools, such as Git.
- Working with Agile methodologies.
Desirable:
- Use of monitoring and reporting tools, such as Prometheus and Grafana.
- Experience of GitOps tooling such as ArgoCD or FluxCD.
- Knowledge of containerization technologies using Kubernetes & Docker.
- Experience working with HPC clusters and parallel file systems.
- Experience in working in a scientific environment and/or providing support to researchers.
More information about the role is attached in the 'Further Particulars' document.
The University is supportive of hybrid working. We aim to enable as many staff as possible to work in a hybrid way if they wish, and where their role allows. This role permits the post holder to be office based or hybrid, but to be in the office regularly when required, either at the IoA at Madingley Rise, or the Research Computing Service, in the Roger Needham Building.
Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available until 31 March 2027 in the first instance.
Once an offer of employment has been accepted, the successful candidate will be required to undergo a basic disclosure (criminal records check) check and a security check.
Conversations about flexible working are encouraged at the University of Cambridge. Please feel free to discuss flexibility prior to applying (using the contact information below) or at interview if your application is successful.
Click the 'Apply' button below to register an account with our recruitment system (if you have not already) and apply online.
Please upload your CV and cover letter in the Upload section of this application process. Names and contact details of 2 professional referees are essential. References will be requested for candidates following the application closing date and referees will be asked to complete references by the interview date where permission is given from the candidates to do so; such contact will be direct to your referees via our recruitment system.
Informal enquiries are welcomed and should be directed to Sean McConkey at sm2921@cam.ac.uk in the first instance, quoting reference number LG46639. If you have any queries regarding the application process, please contact: HR@ast.cam.ac.uk.
The closing date for applications is: 23:59 BST on 1st August 2025
The anticipated interview dates are: w/c 11th August 2025 and w/c 18th August 2025
We are seeking a start date ideally no later than 1 October 2025.
Please quote reference LG46639 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.
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.