Senior Systems Administrator

Right to work: Please note that it will not be possible for the University to issue a Certificate of Sponsorship to the successful candidate for this position. Therefore, the appointable candidate will need to be eligible to work in the UK or have leave to remain in the UK and associated right to work for the duration of their employment with the University, in accordance with the Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006.

Applications are invited for the post of a Senior Systems Administrator for the Centre for Particle Physics and Astronomy.

The successful candidate will become a key member of the Research IT System Administration Team of the Centre for Particle Physics & Astronomy, which provides support for Linux platforms and services. They will have responsibility for the HTCondor Linux cluster and will be responsible for ensuring the availability, security and stability of this and other related services through monitoring, maintenance, automation, change management, participation in incident management and continued input to constructive thought around how best to improve our services. This post will also be responsible for services arising from our participation in the GridPP collaboration and ensuring they meet the requirements set by GridPP.

The successful applicant will have a degree level qualification in a Science/Engineering subject or relevant equivalent experience and knowledge of IT service delivery in support of large-scale Linux-based computing infrastructure. The post holder will also have strong communication skills and a proven ability to work as part of a team and support colleagues as well as a readiness to work on their own initiative and be proactive.

For more information see the detailed job description and person specification.

Research Environment:

The Centre for Particle Physics and Astronomy includes research in direct dark matter searches with the LZ detector and in neutrino physics both in exploitation with the T2K detector and in construction with the DUNE detector. Our experimental and theory dark matter researchers also benefit from synergy with our Low Temperature facilities within the context of Quantum Technology for Fundamental Physics. Our Centre is also involved in the Large Hadron Collider at CERN both using the ATLAS detector and contributions to the accelerator research and its upgrade to a high-luminosity regime. Our Astronomy research covers areas ranging from gravitational wave experiments like LIGO and LISA to analysis of supernovae signals to involvement in the Euclid Mission project.

Royal Holloway offers an extensive rewards and benefits package including generous annual leave as well as a wide variety of training and development opportunities.

The post will be based in Egham where the College is situated in a beautiful leafy campus near to Windsor Great Park and within commuting distance of London. Royal Holloway also recognises the importance of helping its employees balance their work and home life by offering flexible working arrangements. The University and the Department of Physics are further committed to creating a positive and inclusive environment. We, for example, host a variety of initiatives to support our students and staff including a LGBT+ Staff network, Disability and Mental Health Staff network, Black and Global Majority Staff Network, Parents and Carers Network and Women in Physics group.

In return we offer a highly competitive rewards and benefits package including:

• Generous annual leave entitlement
• Training and Development opportunities
• Pension Scheme with generous employer contribution
• Various schemes including Cycle to Work, Season Ticket Loans and help with the cost of Eyesight testing.
• Free parking

The post is based in Egham, Surrey where the University is situated in a beautiful, leafy campus near to Windsor Great Park and within commuting distance from London.

Additional Information:

This is a full-time post, available from 2 nd February 2026 or as soon as possible thereafter for a fixed-term period ending on 31 st March 2028. There is the possibility of contract extension following this period, subject to performance and funding availability.

Interested applicants will need to complete an online application form, upload a CV of no more than 3 pages, and provide names of two referees. Reference letters will only be requested for short-listed candidates.

For an informal discussion about the post, please feel free to contact Dr Simon George by emailing S.George@rhul.ac.uk .

For queries on the application process the Human Resources Department can be contacted by email at recruitment@rhul.ac.uk .

Please quote the reference: 1125-300

Closing Date: Midnight, 16 th January, 2026

Interview Date: Monday 26 th January 2026.

Further details: Job Description & Person Specification Email details to a friend
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The university has adopted hybrid working for some roles therefore some remote working may be possible for this role.

Royal Holloway is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI), and encourages applications from all people regardless of age, disability, gender, marital status, parental status, race, religion or belief, sexual orientation, or trans status or history. More information on our structures and initiatives around EDI, including information on staff diversity networks, can be found on our Equality and Diversity Intranet page .