(Hybrid) Intermediate / Mid-Level System Administrator - Research Office

The Research Office at West Virginia University is currently accepting applications for an Intermediate/Mid-Level System Administrator.

About the Opportunity

The Research Office at West Virginia University is seeking a Mid-Level High-Performance Computing (HPC) System Administrator to manage and optimize the university's Linux-based HPC infrastructure. This position is dedicated to maintaining and enhancing the computational resources that power research across multiple disciplines, supporting principal investigators, graduate students, and undergraduate researchers.

By ensuring the HPC environment is secure, reliable, and high-performing, the administrator:

• Supports enrollment growth by enabling faculty and students to perform competitive, cutting-edge research that attracts top talent.
• Enhances student retention and success by providing stable computing resources for research, coursework, and experiential learning.
• Strengthens campus safety and operational resilience by safeguarding sensitive research data and integrating the HPC cluster into disaster recovery plans.

This role is ideal for a Linux system administrator passionate about scientific computing, eager to work in a research-focused academic environment, and capable of managing the full HPC ecosystem.

We strongly believe in work-life balance and keeping time for things we love outside our work. WVU offers generous benefits, including:

• 37.5-hour work week
• 13 paid holidays (staff holiday calendar)
• 24 annual leave (vacation) days per year (employee leave)
• 18 sick days per year (for when you're ill, for when you need time to care for sick family, for your own, or your family's, regularly scheduled medical appointments. Who is family for the purpose of this leave? A lot of people in your life including immediate relatives and in-laws as well as others considered to be members of your household living under the same roof)
• WVU offers a range of health insurance and other benefits
• 401(a) retirement savings with 6% employee contribution match, eligibility to continue health insurance, and other retiree perks. Looking for more retirement benefits information? Check out retirement health insurance benefits, retirement income, and FAQ's.
• Wellness programs
  

What You'll Do

• Administer and maintain Linux-based HPC clusters, including compute nodes, head nodes, and storage systems.
• Monitor system health, performance, and resource utilization to ensure high availability and efficiency.
• Manage job schedulers and resource managers (e.g., Slurm, PBS, or Torque).
• Configure and maintain high-speed storage and parallel file systems (e.g., Lustre, BeeGFS, or GPFS).
• Ensure cluster security and compliance, including user access management, software patching, and vulnerability monitoring.
• Install, update, and optimize scientific software modules and libraries (e.g., via Spack, EasyBuild, or environment modules).
• Develop automation scripts (Bash, Python) to streamline administrative tasks.
• Perform backup and disaster recovery planning for HPC systems and research data.
• Collaborate with researchers to troubleshoot complex computing workflows and improve job throughput.
• Document HPC procedures, best practices, and system changes for team and user reference.
  

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field

• A minimum of three (3) years of Linux system administration experience in a multi-user environment.

• A minimum of three (3) years of experience in a combination of the following:
  • Hands-on experience with HPC clusters, job schedulers, and parallel computing.
  • Familiarity with parallel file systems, storage management, and networked environments (Infiniband, Ethernet).
  • Experience with system monitoring and performance tuning in Linux environments.

  • Proficiency in scripting with Bash or Python for automation and system management.

• Any equivalent combination of related education and/or experience will be considered.
• All qualifications must be met by the time of employment.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Familiarity with parallel file systems, storage management, and networked environments (Infiniband, Ethernet).

• Experience with system monitoring and performance tuning in Linux environments.

• Strong troubleshooting and documentation skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with researchers.

• Experience with GPU-enabled nodes and CUDA or ROCm environments.
• Familiarity with HPC software stacks, scientific libraries, and containerized workflows (e.g., Singularity/Apptainer).
• Knowledge of data security requirements for research, such as HIPAA, FISMA, or CUI.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior experience supporting HPC environments in academia or research settings.
• Experience with GPU-enabled nodes and CUDA or ROCm environments.
• Familiarity with HPC software stacks, scientific libraries, and containerized workflows (e.g., Singularity/Apptainer).
• Knowledge of data security requirements for research, such as HIPAA, FISMA, or CUI.
  

West Virginia University is a place of purpose and community. We take pride in our profound impact on the state of West Virginia and are committed to the personal and professional growth of our employees.

From the groundbreaking R1 research at our flagship campus in Morgantown to the career-oriented programs at WVU Potomac State in Keyser, and the technology-intensive programs at WVU Tech in Beckley, the contributions of WVU employees resonate across the state, touching lives and shaping futures.

At WVU, you will discover a supportive community that champions work-life balance and fosters a collaborative atmosphere. Our core values - service, curiosity, respect, accountability and appreciation - unite us as Mountaineers.

Join us at West Virginia University, where your work will make a lasting impact. To learn more about WVU, visit wvu.edu.

West Virginia University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We invite all qualified applicants regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or Veteran status.