Director of Research Computing Infrastructure

Director of Research Computing Infrastructure

Contract: Full-time, Permanent

Oxford is world-famous for research excellence and home to some of the most talented people from across the globe. Our work helps the lives of millions, solving real-world problems through a huge network of partnerships and collaborations. The breadth and interdisciplinary nature of our research sparks imaginative and inventive insights and solutions. Research Computing is fundamental to our endeavour, underpinning drug discovery, climate modelling, FinTech, battery technologies, cyber security and much more, and spanning our academic disciplines.

Reporting to the Chief Digital & Information Officer, we are now recruiting to the newly created role of Director of Research Computing Infrastructure. This key leadership position will lead the development and delivery of the institution’s research computing services and underpinning physical and human infrastructure, and the partnerships required to realise our ambitions, enabling sustained innovation and excellence in our research and teaching.

What We Offer

As an employer, we genuinely care about our employees’ wellbeing and this is reflected in the range of benefits that we offer. In addition to the competitive salary, we offer:

• An excellent contributory pension scheme
• 38 days annual leave
• A comprehensive range of childcare services
• Family leave schemes
• Cycle loan scheme
• Discounted bus travel and Season Ticket travel loans
• Membership to a variety of social and sports clubs.

This role also offers some opportunity for hybrid working to be discussed at interview.

About the Role

• Reporting to the Chief Digital & Information Officer, the Director of Research Computing Infrastructure will lead the development and delivery of the University’s institutional research computing services, including data centres, high-performance computing platforms, and the central Trusted Research Environment, as well as underpinning capabilities.
• You will play a leading role in consolidating existing provision into a unified, sustainable central service, while also developing and implementing future-proof strategies for development of the capabilities we need. Working closely with academic leaders and partners, you will ensure Oxford’s research computing infrastructure continues to be world-class, secure, scalable, and responsive to the evolving needs of the academic community.
• The role will also build and sustain the partnerships with funders, industry, and peer institutions which enable realisation of our ambitions, while championing Oxford’s research computing capabilities nationally and internationally.
• For the right individual, the post offers a unique opportunity to drive Oxford’s sustained research excellence, and put their mark on our enabling infrastructure.

About You

• You will be a proven, forward-thinking leader with a track record of conceptualising and delivering high-quality research computing capabilities at scale. With substantial leadership and people management experience, you will be committed to developing high-performing teams and fostering a collaborative, inclusive culture.
• You will have deep knowledge of the research computing landscape, including governance, evolving academic needs, and the technical underpinnings of high-performance computing, data management, and software engineering. Your credibility with researchers, senior academic leaders, and key stakeholders will be critical to success in this role.
• Alongside your strategic leadership skills, you will bring strong financial and commercial acumen, experience of securing investment and partnerships, and the ability to drive sustainable and innovative services. A research background or experience within a research-intensive institution will be advantageous.

Application Process

You will be required to upload a covering letter/supporting statement, CV and the details of two referees as part of your online application.

The closing date for applications is 12 noon on Thursday 25 September 2025.

First round interviews are provisionally timetabled for Wednesday 8 October and will be held in person other than in exceptional circumstances. Second round interviews will take place on Friday 17 October in person.

For informal enquiries about the role, please contact Jolyon Harris ([email protected]) in the first instance.