Research Infrastructure System Administrator

About the role

The Research Infrastructure System Administrator supports research at Harvard Medical School by managing and maintaining research applications, databases, and platforms. This role involves developing APIs, supporting user access platforms, and ensuring the health and performance of RTI platforms.

Responsibilities

• Configure, maintain, and support research applications and platforms (e.g., Omero, Globus, Redcap, Starfish, ELNs).
• Administer and maintain research databases (e.g., MySQL, Postgres) and web-hosted systems integrated with research computing infrastructure.
• Develop and support APIs, license servers, and researcher portals to facilitate data and service access.
• Support user access platforms including Open OnDemand and HPC account management workflows.
• Implement and maintain monitoring and alerting systems to ensure the health and performance of RTI platforms.
• Develop and deploy application services using DevOps tools such as containers, distributed storage, and orchestration platforms.
• Contribute to documentation, best practices, and operational knowledge sharing.

Requirements

• Minimum of two years’ post-secondary education or relevant work experience.
• Experience with Linux-based systems administration in a research or academic setting.
• Familiarity with research-oriented platforms and services (e.g., Globus, ELNs, Open OnDemand).
• Experience administering relational databases (e.g., MySQL, Postgres) and web-hosted environments.
• Working knowledge of containerization (e.g., Docker, Podman), orchestration, and configuration management.
• Ability to develop and maintain scripts and APIs using languages such as Python or Bash.
• Strong troubleshooting, documentation, and communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and as part of a collaborative team.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Commitment to supporting the research mission through reliable and secure infrastructure.

Qualifications

• Basic Qualifications: Minimum of two years’ post-secondary education or relevant work experience.
• Additional Qualifications and Skills: Experience with Linux-based systems administration in a research or academic setting; familiarity with research-oriented platforms and services; experience administering relational databases; working knowledge of containerization; ability to develop and maintain scripts and APIs; strong troubleshooting, documentation, and communication skills; demonstrated ability to work independently and as part of a collaborative team; excellent organizational skills and attention to detail; commitment to supporting the research mission through reliable and secure infrastructure.

Skills

• Experience with Linux-based systems administration in a research or academic setting.
• Familiarity with research-oriented platforms and services (e.g., Globus, ELNs, Open OnDemand).
• Experience administering relational databases (e.g., MySQL, Postgres) and web-hosted environments.
• Working knowledge of containerization (e.g., Docker, Podman), orchestration, and configuration management.
• Ability to develop and maintain scripts and APIs using languages such as Python or Bash.

Benefits

• Generous paid time off including parental leave.
• Medical, dental, and vision health insurance coverage starting on day one.
• Retirement plans with university contributions.
• Wellbeing and mental health resources.
• Professional development opportunities including tuition assistance and reimbursement.
• Commuter benefits, discounts and campus perks.