Job Advertisement: Closing Date 9th July 2010

Starlink (Astrophysics Research) Computer Manager
Jeremiah Horrocks Institute
University of Central Lancashire
Salary: Grade F- GBP 22,879 - GBP 26,523
Limited Term Contract for 3 Years

Applications are invited for the post of computer manager (Starlink 
system administrator), to support and maintain a heterogeneous 
30-workstation Linux and Mac OS X network for astrophysics research 
within the Jeremiah Horrocks Institute (JHI) at UCLan.

The successful candidate will be expected to work with the Institute's 
staff to help support and facilitate their research, and to provide 
education and guidance in the use of available and novel technical 
solutions. Depending on the requirements of the main duties of the post, 
there may be opportunities to contribute to collaborative research 
projects within the JHI. Current research expertise and interests of 
JHI staff include solar and solar-terrestrial physics, stellar and 
galactic astrophysics, extragalactic astronomy and cosmology, 
observational computational and theoretical astrophysics. (For details 
of the JHI and Astrophysics at UCLan, please visit www.star.uclan.ac.uk.)

The duties will include management of the JHI's network and associated 
equipment, and provision of local user support to staff. The post will 
involve maintenance of scientific software packages (for example IDL, 
IRAF, Super Mongo and R), the upkeep and enhancement of current shared 
storage solutions, help with the design of new systems, purchase of new 
hardware, and the writing of documentation for effective use of the 
network. The postholder will also contribute to the maintenance of the 
JHI website, and will be expected to develop ways to maintain the health 
of the network.

Candidates should have a BSc Honours degree and a higher degree in a 
relevant subject, at least 3 years' experience using Linux or other 
relevant UNIX OS including software installation, and an understanding 
of networking hardware and firewall configuration. Preference will be 
given to candidates with experience of research in astrophysics, 
astrophysics-related software, and/or a PhD (awarded or imminent) in 
physics or astronomy.

The JHI is located on UCLan's main campus, on a pleasant site near 
the centre of Preston, England's newest city. For further information 
on UCLan's location and facilities, including our HPC Facility, our 
Sports Arena and new Indoor Sports Centre, please visit www.uclan.ac.uk.

Immediately outside the city is the Forest of Bowland Area of 
Outstanding Natural Beauty, whilst the Lake District, Peak District and 
Yorkshire Dales National Parks are each only an hour away. Preston has 
excellent communications by rail and motorway with the rest of the 
country: London, Edinburgh and Glasgow are all less than 2.5 hours away 
by direct train. Preston has many parks and green spaces for outdoor 
activities, a plethora of pubs and clubs and a vibrant city centre only 
a few minutes' walk from the university. There are numerous cultural 
events, both in Preston and in nearby Manchester.

Further information can be found at:
http://www.uclan.ac.uk/information/services/work/144A-11-06.php

Reference: 144A-11-06

Hours: Full time

Closing Date: 9 July 2010 at 4pm

Interview Date: 1st Week of August

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