Senior Data and Infrastructure Technician (SCII)

18380BR

College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences

Managerial, Professional and Specialist Staff – MPSS

Advert

Senior Data and Infrastructure Technician (Security, Crime and Intelligence Innovation Institute (SCIII))

This role will be responsible for the operational management of the Institutes servers, data infrastructure and key data sets to enable researchers to undertake leading-edge analysis.  The role will provide comprehensive technical support and advice to Institute researchers and staff relating to their working within the physical and data environment associated with a secure research facility.

This post is full time (35 hours per week) and is fixed-term to 31 July 2026. 

Salary: £39,347 - £44,263 per annum (Grade 6) 

It is the University's policy to use the person specification as a tool for shortlisting. Candidates should evidence that they meet all of the essential criteria as well as, where relevant, the desirable. You are required to submit written evidence of how you fulfil each of the Essential Criteria in the Person Specification (and if met Desirable Criteria), using the same order/numbering in which they appear, in the form of a supporting statement. Please save as 'Name_XXXXXBR_Supporting Statement' when uploading your attachment so it can easily be identified.

Date advert posted: Friday, 15 March 2024

Closing date: Friday, 12 April 2024

Please be aware that Cardiff University reserves the right to close this vacancy early should sufficient applications be received.

Cardiff University is committed to supporting and promoting equality and diversity and to creating an inclusive working environment. We believe this can be achieved through attracting, developing, and retaining a diverse range of staff from many different backgrounds who have the ambition to create a University which seeks to fulfil our social, cultural and economic obligation to Cardiff, Wales, and the world.  In supporting our employees to achieve a balance between their work and their personal lives, we will also consider proposals for flexible working or job share arrangements.

Applications may be submitted in Welsh, and an application submitted in Welsh will not be treated less favourably than an application submitted in English.

Job Description

Key Duties

• Provide ongoing support to staff in the Institute in the use and maintenance of the IT infrastructure and computer equipment necessary for the team’s work.
• Lead the day-to-day management of the various datasets and software platforms used by Institute researchers, ensuring access to relevant materials is available in a timely, efficient and protected way.
• Establish working relationships with key contacts, developing appropriate communication links with the University’s Schools/Directorates and outside bodies as required.
• Operational management of the Institute’s servers, data infrastructure and key datasets to enable the researchers to undertake leading-edge analysis.
• Ensure that all data and equipment operated by the Institute’s staff is appropriately configured and protected from key security threats.
• Manage the Institute’s growing portfolio of specialist open-source intelligence and social media analytics platforms and tools, to maximise use across the research team.
• Act as a point of contact with the University’s central IT Services ensuring these meet staff needs, and where they do not, proactively identify and implement solutions.
• Develop and deliver training within the physical and data environment and work with other team members to devise and deliver an innovative knowledge management system for the Institute’s growing ‘back catalogue’ of reports and associated datasets.
• Work with the Institute’s Security Controller to ensure compliance with relevant University policies and national standards and legislation in the area of information security.
• Identify and assess new products and technical solutions potentially relevant to the work of the Institute in terms of data access, management and exploitation.
• Take responsibility for the preparation and maintenance of research equipment and software applications to ensure they are secure and fit for use in the field, developing and modifying equipment and data collection techniques as appropriate.
• Periodically review technical processes and procedures relating to data collection, data storage, data management and data protection in collaboration with the Research Data Officer, providing advice and making recommendations for improvement.
• Maintain the Institute’s equipment and hardware register, taking responsibility for stock levels and issuing equipment to staff when requested.
• Provide direct support to research teams on ‘data heavy’ projects and analytic tasks.
• Take responsibility for resolving issues independently where they fall within set role objectives.
• Take responsibility for providing technical and data support for the Institute’s training and events activities.

• Ensure that an understanding of the importance of confidentiality is applied when undertaking all duties.
• Abide by University policies on Health and Safety and Equality and Diversity.
• Perform other duties occasionally which are not included above, but which will be consistent with the role.

Person Specification

Essential Criteria 

Qualifications and Education

Additional Information

The Security, Crime and Intelligence Innovation Institute (SCIII) is one of the new University Innovation Institutes (UIIs) focusing on large scale, highly interdisciplinary research, strongly aligned to the University’s major research and innovation strengths. UIIs will be expected to deliver major innovation-focused bids, helping drive increased research and development partnership working with external stakeholders.

Four new UIIIs, focused on Security, Crime and Intelligence; Neuroscience & Mental Health;  Digital Transformation; Net Zero have been established. Their research is underpinned by external partnerships with government departments, Office for National Statistics, IBM, NHS, Takeda, Siemens, Hodge Foundation, the Waterloo Foundation, AstraZeneca, Cambridge Cognition, Renishaw PLC, P1vital, Ionis Pharmaceuticals and other key external stakeholders. Further information on the Security, Crime and Intelligence Innovation Institute can be found here: https://www.cardiff.ac.uk/security-crime-intelligence-innovation-institute

Cardiff University has an international profile as a successful, research-intensive University, confirmed by the recent Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021, placing us 14th for research power in the UK and first for impact across the devolved nations of Scotland, Northern Ireland, and Wales. Our continued ambition for the next period includes building on our inclusive research culture, supporting a community of interdisciplinary scholars with the imagination, energy and capacity to co-create the future; being recognised for our innovation and contributing to the health, wealth, security and well-being of future generations in Wales, the UK and globally.

We aim to grow our research income and innovation activity, thereby increasing knowledge exchange and cooperation with business and government in support of UK and devolved government strategy and societal renewal, post-pandemic. Our approach to Research and Innovation includes a strong commitment to public engagement and civic mission, with the aim of building lasting place-based partnerships to improve health, wealth and well-being in Wales and beyond. The success of this approach is evidenced by our first place for impact across the devolved nations in REF 2021.

The post holder will be required to undergo Security Clearance (SC) vetting organised by the Institute. To gain security clearance an applicant will normally need to have been a UK resident for a minimum of 5 years.