Description Position Details IT Services Location: High Temperature Research Centre, Coventry, UK Full time starting salary is normally in the range £36,636 to £46,049 with potential progression once in post to £48,822 Grade: 7 Full Time, Permanent Closing date: 25th March 2026 Our offer to you People are at the heart of what we are and do. The University of Birmingham is proud to have been a part of the City of Birmingham and the wider region for over 100 years, and we are equally proud to be recognised as a leading global university. We want to attract talented people from across the city and beyond, support them to succeed, and celebrate their success. We are committed to helping the people who work here to develop through our sector-leading Birmingham Professional programme which provides all professional services staff with development opportunities and the encouragement to reach their full potential. With almost 5,000 professional services jobs in a wide-range of functions in Edgbaston and in our campus in Dubai, there are plenty of opportunities for you to be able to develop your career at the University. We believe there is no such thing as a typical member of staff and that diversity is a source of strength that underpins the exchange of ideas, innovation, and debate. We warmly welcome people from all backgrounds and are committed to fostering an inclusive environment where diversity is at the heart of who and what we are, and how we work. 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. The University is situated in leafy Edgbaston and there are excellent transport links to our beautiful campus, including main bus routes and a train station on site. On campus we have a state-of-the-art sports centre with pool, shops, places to eat and drink, our own art gallery, museum and botanical gardens. Find out more about the benefits of working for the University of Birmingham Background The post holder will play a key role within a committed IT Support Team, providing desktop, server & services support within an exciting collaborative research and development Centre based at the High Temperature Research Centre, Ansty Park, Coventry. Using their own knowledge and expertise they will be required to analyse desktop PC issues, server issues, service issues, identify causes, and using their own judgement restore function as quickly as possible in line with HTRC and University’s Computing and IT Standards. This may involve short term measures to bring the equipment/service back online, and then to follow up with a longer-term plan to fully resolve the issue and to prevent further failure. To deploy, support and manage computer systems and services used in specialist manufacturing IT or laboratory systems in line with HTRC and University’s Computing and IT Standards. To undertake activities such as the deployment of new and existing software and services whilst ensuring agreed deadlines are met. The post holder must be able to communicate complex IT technical problems and requirements in an understandable fashion to technical and non-technical staff, including department managers, academic and administrative staff. Role Summary As a member of a cross-functional IT support team, the role will develop, maintain and support the IT infrastructure of the area they are aligned to, in order to deliver high quality services to the users and groups that are appropriate to their specific needs. The post holder will play a key role within End User Services Research Services, providing support for users, desktops, servers and services. The post will primarily work within the High Temperature Research Centre (HTRC) based at Ansty Business Park, Coventry. Using their own knowledge and expertise, the post holder will be required to analyse complex desktop, server and service issues, identify causes, and using their own judgement, restore function as quickly as possible, in line with University Computing and IT Standards. This will involve a risk assessment, short term measures to bring the server or service back on line, and then to follow a longer-term plan to fully resolve the issue, and to prevent further failure. This role also encompasses development and enhancement of new and existing servers and services that are the post holder’s direct responsibility, in line with University Computing and IT Standards. This includes, but is not limited to, initial build and test, production support, service sustenance, ITIL change control, writing documentation and delivering training. The post holder will undertake project management activities for specific projects within their specific area of technical expertise, evaluate new technologies, assist in the development and upgrade of HTRC IT services, and to support the HTRC IT infrastructure, HTRC specialist applications and facilities, all whilst ensuring agreed deadlines are met. It is expected that this role will include the development of new services in support of research activity being undertaken within the HTRC. To work closely with, and in support of, their Senior/College IT Manager, ensuring that IT services are delivered in an efficient, effective and consistent way, taking responsibility as a Service Owner for specific technologies/services as may be required by the Centre/College. Main Duties As part of an EUS IT support team, the role will manage the day-to-day IT development and support for new services within the centre/college, acting as a main source of technical expertise. Maintaining existing systems and developing new ones in support of business requirements in a way that is consistent with University standards. Developing short- and medium-term plans for service improvements with reference to University/IT Services and College strategic objectives. Work closely with staff at all levels of authority within the area supported to gain a thorough understanding of their business requirements and to provide strategic guidance on how IT systems can be utilised to develop solutions to challenges and opportunities in identified areas. Be responsible for servers and services assigned to the post holder, to ensure access to all systems and services meets appropriate service level agreements. Take responsibility for Cyber Essentials Plus certification renewal assessments and compliance including patch management in accordance with current conditions stipulated by the certification assessment body. Take responsibility for the HTRC Document Management System backend infrastructure including monitoring, maintenance and improvements to the service as required. Troubleshoot problems, many of which may require in-depth knowledge, and develop, test and implement new approaches and services. This requires the post holder to have the technical experience to ensure continuous development and reliable operation of all services within their area of responsibility, to assess problems and judge the appropriate solution. Support and manage backup services to ensure the security and integrity of the information store. The post holder will be expected to have the requisite knowledge and experience to undertake daily monitoring of scheduled backups, to identify any failures and to initiate ‘ad-hoc’ backups of data as may be required. Lead on IT projects for the development and implementation of new systems, liaising with departmental staff, external suppliers and customers. To co-ordinate and supervise the IT work of members within the local IT Support team and suppliers as may be appropriate for the successful delivery of projects. Ensure that central systems are to be fully utilised by area supported wherever possible to avoid duplication, and to advise when specialist systems may be required. Provide guidance to the Senior/College IT Manager on project IT expenditure and replacement/upgrade strategies for hardware and software. To take responsibility for maintaining an inventory of equipment; specifying hardware and software versions; organising quotations with suppliers as required; arranging programmes of work for the installation of new equipment and initiating appropriate disposal mechanisms for redundant hardware. Have a thorough, in-depth understanding of the IT services within the University, and being fully involved in the support of systems used by the Centre/College as a whole. The extent of this work covers (but is not exclusive to) Network infrastructure, Storage infrastructure, Virtual infrastructure, Database services, Web services, File services, Print services, Application services and Backup services. Implement as part of existing and new service development, the use of best practice standards and processes in IT Service Delivery (ITIL) and Information Security (ISO 27001) to achieve both optimised and secure services. Take the cross College/Section lead (working in conjunction with the Senior/College IT Manager and other IT support team members), in supporting, maintaining and improving nominated services (to be defined by specific skillset). Act as a main IT contact between different areas of IT Services, ensuring that matters are dealt with by the most appropriate ITS staff. This may include referring matters to other individuals or teams, and ensuring completion to agreed standards. For routine jobs logged with the Service Desk, it may include undertaking the jobs personally or delegating them to other members of the team as appropriate, and supervising their successful completion. The post holder will be expected to liaise with 3rd parties, (e.g. software and solution vendors, the NHS, etc.) as required by the Schools/Departments within the College/Section to ensure the successful delivery and support of IT services. Act as a source of technical expertise to other members of the IT support team, either on a routine basis or as part of specific projects, providing one-to-one or group training as necessary. Provide telephone support out of normal working hours on a best endeavours basis, and on occasions by prior arrangement to provide onsite support at evenings and weekends. Undertake such other duties as may be required from time to time in furtherance of the work of IT Services. Promote equality and value diversity including: (a) actively acting as a role model in own behaviour and fostering a non-discriminatory culture; (b) actively applying internal processes in a fair and equal way. Support the management of the HTRC network in accordance with the University’s networking standards, policy and infrastructure, including the following specific tasks in consultation with the IT Services Network Team. Manage and support desktop resources (hardware and software) for the whole range of users at HTRC. Develop specialist knowledge around specific service provision within the team, including in-house bespoke applications and research-specific IT systems, and be able to contextualise and convey this knowledge to end users in support of their research needs. It is expected that the post holder will understand and signpost University-provided services to end users where appropriate to the research problem. However, where the centrally-provided systems do not meet the needs of the research users the post holder will be required to develop new workflows and systems to meet those research requirements, and document the process such that central provision may easily be implemented later if the user base expands. The scope for specialism is wide and covers, for example, fileserver responsibility and development of server application expertise. Deploy and manage a range of databases, research and management-focussed applications and provide expert advice and guidance on best practice. Be fully conversant with all areas of desktop IT support including Windows desktop operating systems, Microsoft applications and other best of breed desktop applications. Also conversant with deploying and managing server operating systems, both Microsoft and Linux based. Managing Active Directory, User, Computer and Group Policy Objects, and setting up physical and virtual server management in a mixed environment. Support of SANs supporting infrastructure. Troubleshoot problems, many of which may require in-depth knowledge, and develop, test and implement new approaches and services. This requires the post holder to have the technical experience to ensure continuous development and reliable operation of all services within their area of responsibility, to assess problems and judge the appropriate solution. Set up of new users, printers and general system administration to ensure access to all networked servers and systems. Monitor the interaction of devices with supported servers and services to ensure reliability and smooth operations for all aspects of the work of the customer base as a whole. Support and manage backup services to ensure the security and integrity of the information store. The post holder will be expected to have the requisite knowledge and experience to undertake daily monitoring of scheduled backups, to identify any failures and to initiate ‘ad-hoc’ backups of data as may be required. Be responsible for servers and services assigned, to ensure access to all systems and services meets appropriate service level agreements. Monitor and react to logs and events, providing fixes, resolution, service enhancements and service improvements, where required. Support to and maintenance of network active equipment and cabling including troubleshooting of faults and application of fixes to ensure continuity of network services. Recommend provision of additional network points where required. Communication and project operation Communicate effectively with customers, partners and colleagues to deliver an excellent level of service. Maintain and deliver documentation pertaining to the servers and services assigned to the post holder. Implement appropriate Change Management and provide service status updates as required. Obtain quotes, specifying and making recommendations for the purchase of computer equipment and software. Make recommendations on a Value for Money basis whether to repair, upgrade or replace hardware and software in line with overall strategy and standards. Implement disposal mechanisms for redundant hardware. Be responsible for discussions with external companies and contractors, to ensure prompt and adequate service. Liaise with 3rd parties or the University network team to resolve issues or perform changes to the service as required. Provide 1 to 1 technical training and advice to users and team members, either verbally or via written documentation. Workload management and coordination Be responsible for project activities within own area of expertise, in conjunction with the work of other team members and providing written documentation and training as required Meet service needs when required. To include managing other project team members to ensure that each part of the project is completed on time and does not adversely impact on the overall project plan. Determine priorities for one’s own allocated workload and co-ordinate with other team members to ensure that these meet overall ITS priorities, including continuity of service. The post holder will take responsibility within the IT team for Support and development of Windows Servers and Services as agreed by the IT Manager. Patching and maintenance of Servers and Desktop IT systems. Contribute to optimisation of the desktop experience for members of the centre, to include software packaging and end user self-service for standard processes. Writing scripts in Powershell for automating existing processes. Day to day Data Centre service monitoring and service improvement. Maintenance of server and storage hardware and datacentre infrastructure. Contribute to a cycle of continuous service improvement. Any other duties as may be required from time to time in furtherance of the work of IT Services. Required Knowledge, Skills, Qualifications, Experience It is essential that the post holder be fully conversant with all of the following: Operating Systems: Windows 10, Windows 11 – staying up to date with newer releases Windows Server 2019 and later releases Familiarity with a broad Linux Desktop and Server OSs Environment: Microsoft Active Directory Database maintenance/administration Virtualisation – VMWare experience preferred Physical and Virtual Server backup Labview/Matlab Experience desirable ITIL v3 Programming: Powershell Windows batch scripts Specialised knowledge and support experience in several of the following areas would be an advantage: Sharepoint, Microsoft Dynamics AX, WSUS, RADIUS, IIS webservers, Ethernet, TCP/IP, DHCP, Network switches and mobile devices (smartphones, tablets etc…) Minimum of five GCSEs (grade C or above) essential, including Maths and English. An MCP/MCSE or other industry recognized IT qualifications would be an advantage. Significant experience within a complex Microsoft server and service support environment. Extensive experience of troubleshooting server and service support issues, both routine and unique, from initial problem analysis through to implementation of solutions is essential. The post holder must have clear and concise communication skills and be able to demonstrate a strong understanding of customer requirements, in order to ensure solutions developed meet customer needs. The post holder must be able to work effectively as a member of a team, working towards quality service goals and to tight deadlines. The post holder must have demonstrated ability to prioritise needs to ensure continuity of service and schedule workloads in the face of conflicting demands. The post holder must employ structured and methodical approaches to problem solving, in order to anticipate issues within own area of responsibility. DBS required 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. Informal enquiries to Nisar Yasin, email: m.n.yasin@bham.ac.uk View our staff values and behaviours here Use of AI in applications: We want to understand your genuine interest in the role and for the written elements of your application to accurately reflect your own communication style. Applications that rely too heavily on AI tools can appear generic and lack the detail we need to assess your skills and experience. Such applications will unlikely be progressed to interview. We believe there is no such thing as a 'typical' member of University of Birmingham staff and that diversity in its many forms is a strength that underpins the exchange of ideas, innovation and debate at the heart of University life. We are committed to proactively addressing the barriers experienced by some groups in our community and are proud to hold Athena SWAN, Race Equality Charter and Disability Confident accreditations. We have an Equality Diversity and Inclusion Centre that focuses on continuously improving the University as a fair and inclusive place to work where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. We are also committed to sustainability, which is a key part of our strategy. You can find out more about our work to create a fairer university for everyone on our website .