Linux System Administrator

Job Posting Organization:
CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research, is a leading scientific research institution established in 195

• It is located in Geneva, Switzerland, and is known for its groundbreaking work in particle physics. CERN employs thousands of scientists, engineers, and administrative staff from over 100 countries, fostering a collaborative environment that promotes innovation and scientific discovery. The organization operates numerous facilities and experiments, including the Large Hadron Collider, and is dedicated to pushing the frontiers of science and technology. Diversity and inclusion are core values at CERN, which is reflected in its workforce and collaborative projects.

Job Overview:
The Linux System Administrator position is part of the accelerator control system team at CERN, focusing on the evolution of the core platform through the implementation of new storage services using a high-end commercial storage appliance. The role involves close collaboration with experienced system administrators, infrastructure experts, and software engineers, including partnerships with the CERN IT department and Computer security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Security team. This position offers a unique opportunity to gain valuable experience in a dynamic and innovative environment, contributing to the advancement of CERN's scientific missions. The successful candidate will be responsible for configuring and integrating a NetApp storage appliance into existing management systems, ensuring cybersecurity measures are in place, and maintaining high levels of redundancy and data backup schemes to ensure business continuity.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Linux System Administrator include configuring the NetApp storage appliance and integrating it into the configuration management systems utilized by the sysadmin team. The candidate will establish appropriate access control and data segmentation to minimize cybersecurity risks associated with network filesystems. They will ensure that the storage appliance configuration includes a high level of redundancy to maintain business continuity in case of failures. Additionally, the role involves establishing a data backup scheme and recovery plan, ensuring the appliance provides adequate storage for the control system Kubernetes infrastructure, and migrating control system data from existing NFS servers to the new appliance. The position also includes team supervision responsibilities, requiring effective leadership and collaboration skills.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must have experience with Linux administration" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">system administration, as it is essential for this role. Familiarity with common security issues affecting Linux systems is also required. Experience with network filesystem management, particularly NFS, is essential, while familiarity with object storage systems such as S3 is desired but not mandatory. A solid understanding of Git version control is essential, and knowledge of Ansible configuration management and Kubernetes container orchestration is desirable. The candidate must possess strong problem-solving skills and the ability to work collaboratively within a team.

Educational Background:
The ideal candidate should have a professional background in Software Engineering or a related field. They must hold either a Master's degree with 2 to 6 years of post-graduation professional experience or a PhD with no more than 3 years of post-graduation professional experience. Additionally, candidates must be nationals of a CERN Member or Associate Member State and should not have previously held a CERN fellow or graduate contract.

Experience:
The position requires candidates to have a professional background in Software Engineering or a related field, with specific experience in Linux system administration and network filesystem management. Candidates should have 2 to 6 years of post-graduation professional experience if they hold a Master's degree, or up to 3 years of experience if they possess a PhD. This level of experience is crucial for effectively managing the responsibilities associated with the role and contributing to the team’s objectives.

Languages:
Fluency in spoken and written English is mandatory for this position, as it is the primary language of communication at CERN. Additionally, candidates should demonstrate a commitment to learning French, which is beneficial for integration into the local community and workplace.

Additional Notes:
The contract duration for this position is 24 months, with the possibility of extension up to a maximum of 36 months. The job is fully onsite, and the target start date is July 1, 202

• The job reference is BE-CSS-ISA-2026-47-GRAP, and it falls under the field of Software Engineering and IT, benchmarked as a Computing Engineer. The compensation includes a monthly stipend ranging from 6372 to 7004 Swiss Francs, which is tax-free, along with 30 days of paid leave per year and additional benefits such as comprehensive health insurance, family allowances, and a relocation package depending on individual circumstances. On-the-job and formal training, including language classes, will also be provided.