Job Openings at University of Birmingham

Location: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UK 

Full time starting salary is normally in the range £47,389 to £56,535 with potential progression once in post to £63,606

Full Time, Fixed Term contract up to March 2031  

Role Summary

• ARC’s Senior Research Infrastructure Engineer (SRIE Security) is an expert, exercising professional responsibility for the security of key and underpinning infrastructure and supporting ARC’s delivery of the specialist infrastructure and services that enable the University’s researchers to carry out world class research. They will employ an intelligent, risk-based methodology that takes a comprehensive but adaptable approach to security, appropriate to the breadth and diversity of our computational research.
• The Senior RIE (Cybersecurity) is a senior technical specialist with extensive experience in Linux system administration. An expert contributor with a broad knowledge of computing (theoretical and practical) and detailed knowledge in their discipline with operational security management responsibility for installed BEAR infrastructure and its supporting services.
• This role is based on the University of Birmingham’s wonderful campus.  We welcome candidates looking for flexible working patterns though note that there is an expectation that candidates will spend substantial time on campus each week. 

Main Duties

• Strategic Planning and Governance: Supporting ARC’s compliance with the University's information security strategy, policies, and procedures to enable as well as protect research activity and external partnerships using the specialist compute services provided by ARC. 
• Risk Management: Identifying, assessing, and managing security risks in the ARC infrastructure and related to use of the services delivered by ARC both local and national.
• Secure Systems Configuration: Managing the security aspects of system configurations, ensuring secure channels, appropriate access controls, proper authentication, etc.
• Architecture: Contributing to the design, review and implementation of systems and architectures, considering the security implications, emerging threats and technological advancements. 
• Monitoring:  Proactively monitor security events from systems and services to identify, investigate and manage the resolution of security issues. Take the technical lead in the event of security incidents.
• Threat detection: Utilising sources of information from the ARC systems and infrastructure, identifying threats to cyber security and raising security incidents.
• Incident Response: Supporting ARC’s security incident response efforts, working closely with IT Security, other IT teams and other departments to minimize the impact of security incidents.
• Vulnerability management: Identification, verification and remediation, or collaboration with ARC and IT Services colleagues to coordinate the remediation of, vulnerabilities across infrastructure and software systems across the ARC infrastructure and service portfolio.
• Security testing: Evaluate security features and security implications of new technologies, systems and services being considered for ARC during planning and change, and ensuring these are secure during implementation and deployment. They will conduct security-focussed testing and benchmarking across the wider ARC infrastructure.
• Training and Awareness: Supporting the development and delivery of tailored security training for University researchers where appropriate. Provide technical expertise and real-world examples to help researchers and colleagues understand security requirements and best practices.
• Standards and Compliance: Working with the Principal Research Infrastructure Engineer (Security & Compliance) to achieve and maintain suitable Standards, including ISO 27001, that provide assurance and demonstrate the suitability of ARC’s services to researchers and their funders, streamlining activity to ensure a responsive and reliable service, noting the frequent need to meet tight deadlines.
• Vendor Engagement: Engaging with third-party vendors and service providers to ARC, ensuring the protection of research assets and infrastructure, and ensuring compliance with ARC and University requirements.
• Communication and collaboration: Build and manage relationships with suppliers both internal and external to support the security of operations and the development of the infrastructure and its associated services. This will include the partnerships necessary to support collaborative research, on campus, nationally as well as internationally. Collaborate with the other IT Services teams (especially Information Security) interacting with them on security matters affecting ARC infrastructure and services.
• Actively manages equality, diversity and inclusion through monitoring and evaluation and actively challenging unacceptable behaviour. 
• Supports the University’s sustainability agenda through resource efficient working. 
• Any other duties commensurate with the grade.

Person Specification

• Educated to degree level (or equivalent qualifications) in a STEM subject.
• Proven technical expertise in a relevant technical, professional or functional specialism.
• Substantial Linux system administration experience.
• Enthusiasm for as well as broad and up to date knowledge of information security processes and technologies.
• Experience of information security related infrastructure systems engineering, hardening or application security.
• Substantial experience in a complex computing environment including with significant experience of the security aspects of operations. Ideally that experience would include some involvement with academic research or HPC.
• Substantial experience scripting or programming.
• Familiarity with CI/CD tools such as Git, GitLab and associated PR/MR workflows.
• Excellent communications skills - able to document solutions, communicate effectively to peers as well as convey difficult concepts to novice users.
• Ability to exercise a substantial degree of independent professional responsibility and discretion and apply an expert understanding of their specialism to the needs of the University.
• Proven ability to work as part of a team to deliver services.
• A self-motivated learner with a track record of continually updating skills.
• Excellent organizational skills with an ability to research and plan own work.
• Evidence of literacy and numeracy.
• Demonstrable capacity to independently solve problems.
• Experience of championing Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in own work area. 
• Ability to monitor and evaluate the extent to which equality and diversity legislation, policies, procedures are applied. 
• Ability to identify issues with the potential to impact on protected groups and take appropriate action.
• Desirable Knowledge, Skills, Qualifications, Experience 
• Experience of security or infrastructure operations in a compliance-driven environment, e.g. ISO 27001 or NIST CSF.
• Experience of supporting colleagues and service users to support a security aware culture.
• Experience in having dealt successfully with information security incidents.
• Demonstrated ability and experience reducing information security risk, ideally in an academic research environment.
• Able to articulate a clear understanding of information security processes and the key differences between the needs of enterprise IT and research computing.
• Some knowledge of relevant national and international information security and digital data standards, legislation and guidance relevant to the academic and research sectors. 
• Experience with NHS information security policies, standards and regulations including NHS IG toolkit would be an advantage.
• Experience of using a configuration management tool such as Ansible, Salt or Puppet.
• Professionally active within the research computing or cyber security sector. 

Role context

• Roles at this level will either be technical specialists operating at a very high specialist level as expert contributors or experienced functional/technical professionals with a broader knowledge across their discipline with managerial responsibility for the delivery or ownership of a service.

Core competencies/transferable skills

• Working at this level you will be able to develop and successfully demonstrate the core competencies/transferable skills outlined in each of the areas shown below.  You will be expected to take ownership for getting things done, including calling on or joining others to assist.  You will be expected to be flexible as required in supporting your department and wider University. 

Planning and organising 

• lead and manage a technical/IT/specialist team to deliver a service, balancing short term delivery with longer term planning horizons;
• determine priorities and allocate resources to meet planned objectives and requirements;
• monitor performance standards, taking appropriate actions to ensure service delivery is uniformly excellent
• ensure health and safety of the area and equipment/hardware;
• carry out project work including planning and delivering programmes of work to budget and deadline;
• advise on future requirements of, for example, equipment, apparatus, furniture and fittings, space;
• make a major contribution to the development of policies and procedures to ensure that all legislative and University requirements are met within the laboratories/workshops and work areas.
• make significant contributions to the design/development/application of services, techniques, specialist equipment or materials;
• design, plan and deliver programmes of specialist work;
• operate as a high-level specialist – initiating and developing ideas/approaches, promoting and delivering innovative solutions.
• Problem solving and decision making
• use analytical and problem-solving skills to resolve specialist and technical issues; may be one of the few able to provide solutions in a specialised field;
• provide comprehensive advice and make innovative contributions.
• Organisational understanding 
• has an excellent understanding of own working area and a broad understanding of the contribution other areas make to the success of the University; 
• has an excellent understanding of how the University operates, together with an understanding of how academia operates in the UK;
• demonstrates empathy with the academic endeavour and seeks to encourage others to do so. 
• Relationships and communication
• communicate clearly on technical or professional issues to non-specialists and senior level audiences and command their respect;
• represent the department at internal and external meetings/events/network with colleagues in other institutions to share best practice.

End Date: 12th April 2026

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Location: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UK 

Full time starting salary is normally in the range £47,389 to £56,535 with potential progression once in post to £63,606

Full Time, Fixed Term contract up to March 2031

Our offer to you

• Supporting our people to achieve a healthy work/life balance is important both to our employees and to the success of the University and, depending on the role, we offer a variety of flexible working arrangements. We therefore welcome discussions on all forms of flexible working. In addition, you will receive a generous package of benefits including 40 days paid holiday a year, one paid day a year for volunteering, occupational sick pay, and a pension scheme. We also have three high quality subsidised day nurseries. 

Role Summary

• The Senior Research Software Engineer (Automation and DevOps) plays a central and highly technical role in designing, delivering and supporting the services that ARC manages. The post is located in the BEAR Applications team (part of the Research Software Group) but also works closely with the Architecture, Infrastructure and Systems Group. The role focuses on the systems and integrations that themselves support the operation of our headline services, including the Baskerville NCR HPC system and the University’s Tier 3 (local) high-performance computer. This dedicated post will allow us to proceed faster towards more and better automation in our drive to continuously improve quality and efficiency.
• The role is primarily technical, however a minority of the RSE’s time will be spent line managing a DevOps Engineer in collaboration with the BEAR Applications management team. In addition to the relevant managerial training courses available, the BEAR Applications management team will guide and advise the successful applicant in the line management aspects of this role.

Main Duties

• Development, maintenance and support of Python-based middleware libraries that integrate and control aspects of our headline HPC services.
• Design, development, maintenance and support of the web applications that support ARC’s headline Baskerville NCR and BEAR computing services.
• Reporting to the BEAR Applications team management, line manage a DevOps Engineer.
• Deployment and support for web applications running on BEAR Cloud virtual machines, including the use of containerisation technologies.
• Workflow development and automation with systems and services both internal-to-ARC (e.g. GitLab) and within the wider IT Services context (e.g. ServiceNow).
• Continual improvement of our testing, automation and continuous integration (CI) pipelines.
• In collaboration with colleagues, prioritise and plan the development of these projects. Help to allocate tasks to others and enable good communication between colleagues in this area. 
• Review code written by other team members for these and other projects, helping improve code quality and also timeliness of delivery.
• Respond to user tickets related to these systems and troubleshoot incidents and problems, in collaboration with both researchers and with infrastructure colleagues.
• Maintenance of the associated user and technical documentation.
• In addition to University-provided training and development, you will undertake sufficient personal and professional development as required, ensuring skills and knowledge are up to date so that the role is performed to the required level.
• Actively manage equality, diversity and inclusion through monitoring and evaluation and actively challenge unacceptable behaviour. 
• Support the University’s sustainability agenda through resource efficient working. 
• Any other duties commensurate with the grade. 

Person Specification

• Educated to degree level or equivalent qualification preferably in a subject with a strong software engineering component, plus substantial work experience in a relevant technical/scientific and/or management/supervisory role in a specialist area.  A higher degree may also be held.  Where no equivalent qualification is held a proven track record of extensive and substantial work experience in a series of progressively more demanding and relevant roles will be required.
• Broad and deep knowledge of Python, including working with medium or large codebases.
• Experience developing software on Linux.
• Significant experience supporting live services running on Linux.
• Experience of integrating different systems together using APIs.
• Knowledge and experience of up-to-date good practice for developing and maintaining Django applications.
• Broad experience of using Git to provide version control for Python projects.
• Experience with developing continuous integration pipelines.
• Experience doing detailed code reviews.
• Experience line managing a small team is desirable.
• Demonstrated ability to solve complex problems.
• Experience with version control in Git using GitHub or GitLab is desirable.
• Experience of producing accessible technical documentation (or similar) is desirable.
• Proven ability to work as part of a team.
• Proven ability to build constructive relationships with customers (or similar).
• A self-motivated learner with a track record of continually updating skills.
• Excellent organizational/project management skills.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and oral.
• Good broad knowledge of C&IT, including latest technology industry trends.
• Knowledge of Higher Education, Research and its environment is desirable. 
• GCSEs to a minimum of grade C/4 in English and Mathematics (or equivalent qualifications). 
• Experience of championing Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in own work area. 
• Ability to monitor and evaluate the extent to which equality and diversity legislation, policies, procedures are applied. 
• Ability to identify issues with the potential to impact on protected groups and take appropriate action. 

Role context

• Roles at this level will either be technical specialists operating at a very high specialist level as expert contributors or experienced functional/technical professionals with a broader knowledge across their discipline with managerial responsibility for the delivery or ownership of a service.

Core competencies/transferable skills

• Working at this level you will be able to develop and successfully demonstrate the core competencies/transferable skills outlined in each of the areas shown below.  You will be expected to take ownership for getting things done, including calling on or joining others to assist.  You will be expected to be flexible as required in supporting your department and wider University. 

Planning and organising 

• lead and manage a technical/IT/specialist team to deliver a service, balancing short term delivery with longer term planning horizons.
• determine priorities and allocate resources to meet planned objectives and requirements.
• monitor performance standards, taking appropriate actions to ensure service delivery is uniformly excellent
• ensure health and safety of the area and equipment/hardware.
• carry out project work including planning and delivering programmes of work to budget and deadline.
• advise on future requirements of, for example, equipment, apparatus, furniture and fittings, space.
• make a major contribution to the development of policies and procedures to ensure that all legislative and University requirements are met within the laboratories/workshops and work areas.
• make significant contributions to the design/development/application of services, techniques, specialist equipment or materials.
• design, plan and deliver programmes of specialist work.
• operate as a high-level specialist – initiating and developing ideas/approaches, promoting and delivering innovative solutions.
• Problem solving and decision making
• use analytical and problem-solving skills to resolve specialist and technical issues; may be one of the few able to provide solutions in a specialised field;
• provide comprehensive advice and make innovative contributions.

Organisational understanding 

• has an excellent understanding of own working area and a broad understanding of the contribution other areas make to the success of the University.  
• has an excellent understanding of how the University operates, together with an understanding of how academia operates in the UK;
• demonstrates empathy with the academic endeavour and seeks to encourage others to do so.

Relationships and communication

• communicate clearly on technical or professional issues to non-specialists and senior level audiences and command their respect.
• represent the department at internal and external meetings/events/network with colleagues in other institutions to share best practice. OH/DBS required 

 
Pre-employment DBS 

• The University is committed to safeguarding, and we promote safe recruitment practice, therefore all associated pre-employment checks will be undertaken before any appointment is confirmed. Due to the nature of the work undertaken in this role all successful applicants will be subject to a satisfactory DBS clearance prior to appointment.

End Date: 12th April 2026

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Location: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UK

Full time starting salary is normally in the range £25,618 to £27,126

Part Time (18 hours per week)

Fixed Term contract up to January 2027

Our offer to you

• Supporting our people to achieve a healthy work/life balance is important both to our employees and to the success of the University and, depending on the role, we offer a variety of flexible working arrangements. We therefore welcome discussions on all forms of flexible working. In addition, you will receive a generous package of benefits including 40 days paid holiday a year, one paid day a year for volunteering, occupational sick pay, and a pension scheme. We also have three high quality subsidised day nurseries.

Role Summary

• Student Living at the University of Birmingham have an exciting opportunity to join our team as a Customer Service Advisor. In this pivotal role, you will play a key part in ensuring a comprehensive and efficient accommodation experience for all students.
• The team play a major role in ensuring that university owned and managed bed spaces are fully occupied and that excellent customer care is always provided. The Student Living team provides advice, information and support to students living in University owned accommodation and the private sector.
• This Customer Service Advisor role, situated within the Business Development Team at the Student Living Hub in University Centre, requires the post holder to provide direct customer and administrative support. Key responsibilities include assisting with accommodation allocations, transfers, private sector contract verification, and general guidance. The role encompasses responding to customer inquiries across multiple channels (in-person, email, telephone) and performing general office administration.
• The post holder will represent Student Living at various outreach events, including Open Days, Webinars, and Offer Holder Days.

Main Duties

• Deliver a high-quality service to all visitors at the Student Living Hub.
• Respond promptly and effectively to customer enquiries across all channels (in-person, email, telephone, and social media) concerning a full range of accommodation issues.
• Advise students on appropriate housing options, including University, Partner, and private sector accommodation.
• Provide updates to the wider team on Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and trends related to customer enquiries.
• Manage the accommodation transfer process and requests for early release from accommodation.
• Handle complaints confidently and efficiently, escalating issues to the relevant manager when necessary.
• Update the student record database, StarRez, ensuring records are current and all correspondence is logged accurately and professionally.
• Monitor knowledge bases and University websites to ensure their relevance, accuracy, and support a quality user journey.
• Ensure clear communication and effective information sharing with other Student Living departments and across the University.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of private accommodation options across Birmingham (training will be provided).
• Generate references for students moving into the private sector.
• Adhere to General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR), IT, Health and Safety, and financial policies, and other relevant legislation at all times, handling sensitive and confidential information professionally.
• Undertake any other duties commensurate with the grade of the post as required.

Further Details

• All post holders are expected to take their main annual leave period when the business needs permit and in agreement with the relevant line manager.
• During business-critical periods the post holder may be required to work full time hours and/or anti-social hours including weekends, bank holidays and University closed days.
• Hours of work will be flexible and as required to meet the demands of a business that can have a changeable pattern across the year, including evening and weekend work as required. This includes taking annual leave outside of the summer allocations period that runs from August to mid-September.

Required Knowledge, Skills, Qualifications, Experience

• Excellent customer service skills, with experience of providing customer service to a wide range of people from diverse backgrounds.
• Computer literate with the ability to use Microsoft Office. Advanced Excel skills is desirable. 
• Confident in telephone and in-person engagements, including in the delivery of presentations.
• Able and willing to work flexibly, working hours are set, however some evening and weekend work will be required.

Dimensions

• An organised individual with the ability to work well both within a busy and diverse team and independently deciding own short-term priorities and timetabling of tasks to meet agreed deadlines.
• Able to accurately judge the urgency of tasks and reliably, independently and consistently, prioritise their workload.

Problem solving and decision making 

• Enthusiasm and willingness to meet challenging and competing demands.
• A proactive and innovative approach to problem solving, with an ability to adapt to changing requirements and escalate issues where needed.
• Internal and external relationships
• Good interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate effectively with internal and external customers and staff, demonstrating a high level of discretion in dealing with confidential matter.

End Date: 18th March 2026

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Location: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UK

Full time starting salary is normally in the range £29,647 to £31,460, with potential progression once in post to £35,388

Full Time, Fixed Term contract up to August 2027

This role is also open as an internal secondment opportunity which would need to be agreed by your current line manager.

Our offer to you

Supporting our people to achieve a healthy work/life balance is important both to our employees and to the success of the University and, depending on the role, we offer a variety of flexible working arrangements. We therefore welcome discussions on all forms of flexible working. In addition, you will receive a generous package of benefits including 40 days paid holiday a year, one paid day a year for volunteering, occupational sick pay, and a pension scheme. We also have three high quality subsidised day nurseries.

Role Summary

• The post holder is the key point of contact between C&e and its clients: answering queries, offering advice, and introducing new products and services. The post holder will foster long-term relationships with clients, strive to understand their goals and provide an exceptional customer experience. Nurturing strategic relationships with key accounts to identify the best opportunities for growth and service is key.
• The Account Executive will manage, grow, and renew customer accounts, but will also be expected to identify new opportunities and to upsell services. Attention to detail is important as we expect you to ensure all our customers receive a high-quality experience. Documenting all client details accurately on the booking system is essential, as this will ensure we are able to build and maintain up to date client records. 
• The post holder will liaise closely with the Event Management team to ensure that the client’s requirements are understood and that events are delivered successfully.
• The Account Executive is the first point of call for incoming enquiries and will be expected to stay on top of enquiries. The individual is responsible for his or her own workload and will schedule follow up phone calls with clients accordingly. Customer service skills are a necessity as we take great pride in our high level of delivering customer excellence.

Main Duties

• You will be responsible for the full range of duties relating to sales including:
• full ownership of designated accounts including negotiations;
• developing an in-depth understanding of customers’ needs in order to produce outline proposals;
• dealing with incoming sales enquiries and ensure they are captured appropriately on bespoke software; 
• following up on sales leads promptly by cold calling or otherwise reaching out to prospects;
• identifying when sales leads should be referred to alternative venues;
• developing and implementing sales initiatives designed to drive sales forward;
• evaluating sales initiatives to identify future improvements;
• proactively contacting customers who have not purchased with us for some time to explore opportunities;
• liaising with third party agents and build relationships with suppliers; 
• presenting and demonstrating the value of products and services to prospective customers;
• building long-lasting, mutually beneficial relationships with external contacts and internal departments to create a better customer experience
• dealing with complex complaints from initial contact to resolution;
• nurturing strategic relationships with top accounts to identify the best opportunities for growth and service to the client
• You will gather and analyse sales reports and data to identify trends and make recommendations for improvements to processes
• You will be expected to keep up to date on industry trends
• Support the Account Manager with developing sales plans and the setting of targets
• Conduct site visits of our venues on and off campus
• Represent the university at trade shows and networking events when required. 

General

• You will contribute to more general management in the department by:
• supporting managers in promoting sustainability, including supporting ISO20121 (sustainable events)
• monitoring service standards and working with internal customers to ensure these are adhered to;
• providing support for events and other designated activities;
• taking responsibility for allocated elements of health and safety implementation
• Supports equality and values diversity, moderates own behaviour to avoid unfair discriminatory impact or bias on others
• Any other duties as may reasonably be expected by the relevant manager.

Required Knowledge, Skills, Qualifications, Experience

• Educated to A level standard, or equivalent level 3 qualification such as a level 3 NVQ, or level 3 national diploma or relevant work experience evidencing the skills and ability to undertake the role.
• Minimum of grade C in Mathematics and English at GCSE or equivalent level 2 qualifications.
• Previous relevant experience of working in a finance or sales team.
• Experience of managing budgets.
• In-depth knowledge of Health and Safety legislation; a Health and Safety qualification such as IOSH would be an advantage.
• Highly proficient IT skills including Microsoft packages. The post holder should also be confident and able to quickly learn new IT skills and software packages as required as in-house systems are used for procurement.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Excellent attention to detail with high standards of accuracy.
• Excellent interpersonal skills. You will need to inspire confidence and command authority with a range of colleagues and provide excellent customer service at all times.
• A high degree of initiative, personal judgement, resourcefulness, flexibility, and a self-motivating approach.
• Ability to work effectively in a large, complex organisation, and to develop a good understanding of how the University and higher education institutions work.
• Ability to understand policy and procedures and how to apply these.
• Understands the importance of equality and diversity in the workplace.
• Ability to identify and respond to equality and diversity issues in line with relevant policies and procedures.
• Understanding of data privacy standards.
• Confidentiality discretion at all times is essential.
• Go about duties in a resource efficient way, minimising impacts to the environment wherever possible.

End Date: 25th March 2026