Platform Engineer

Led by a world-class faculty of scientists, technologists, policy makers, economists and entrepreneurs, the Ellison Institute of Technology aims to develop and deploy commercially sustainable solutions to solve some of humanity's most enduring challenges. Our work is guided by four Humane Endeavours: Health, Medical Science & Generative Biology, Food Security & Sustainable Agriculture, Climate Change & Managing Atmospheric CO2 and Artificial Intelligence & Robotics.Set for completion in 2027, the EIT Campus in Littlemore will include more than 300,000 sq ft of research laboratories, educational and gathering spaces. Fuelled by growing ambition and the strength of Oxford's science ecosystem, EIT is now expanding its footprint to a 2 million sq ft Campus across the western part of The Oxford Science Park. Designed by Foster + Partners led by Lord Norman Foster, this will become a transformative workplace for up to 7,000 people, with autonomous laboratories, purpose-built laboratories including a plant sciences building and dynamic spaces to spark interdisciplinary collaboration.The Pathogen Mission highlights EIT's transformative approach, using Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) and Oracle's cloud technology to create a global pathogen metagenomics system. This initiative aims to improve diagnostics, provide early epidemic warnings, and guide treatments by profiling antimicrobial resistance. The goal is to deliver certified diagnostic tools for widespread use in labs, hospitals, and public health.EIT Oxford fosters a culture of collaboration, innovation, and resilience, valuing diverse expertise to drive sustainable solutions to humanity's enduring challenges.We are seeking a Platform Engineer to join the EIT Pathogen Programme. In this role, you will help manage and develop the infrastructure behind our data platform, ensuring it is secure, scalable, and efficient.Working closely with data engineers and DevSecOps specialists, you'll support research teams by enabling advanced bioinformatics workflows and cloud-based solutions. This position offers the chance to contribute to a programme focused on improving global health through pathogen genomics and cutting-edge technology.Key ResponsibilitiesManage object data storage, ensuring efficient design, tiering, and access controlsBuild and maintain the research compute environment for bioinformatics pipelines and interactive analyticsEnsure the data platform complies with disaster recovery standardsManage cloud resources to set standards and automate deploymentsCollaborate with the AI and Robotics team to contribute to and reuse modular assets using Terraform code modelsAutomate the deployment of tools within the research environmentMonitor all platform components for availability, cost, and performanceSupport R&D activities to test novel approaches and Oracle Cloud usageSupport data ingestion from a global network of distributed sequencing devicesMaintain platform security in alignment with EIT standardsWork with architects and engineers to build optimized data platform components, including genomic variant stores, sequence stores, and pathogen analytics databasesPartner with the DevSecOps engineer to automate deployments using a standard toolchainEnable engineers to perform common tasks through automated self-service scriptsSupport system administration and operations across environmentsCollaborate with engineers to learn from incidents and implement improvementsRequirementsEssential Knowledge, Skills, and ExperienceStrong hands-on experience with cloud infrastructure, ideally Oracle Cloud, including provisioning, configuration, and service managementAbility to automate processes using Terraform and appropriate toolchainsIn-depth knowledge of containerization technologies (e.g., Docker) and orchestration tools like KubernetesSolid understanding of cloud security best practices, including IAM, network security, and encryptionExperience with Git or other version control systemsDesirable Knowledge, Skills, And ExperienceCertifications in Oracle Cloud (OCI) or other platforms (AWS, GCP)Experience with Jira, Confluence, or similar project management toolsKnowledge of compliance frameworks and standards (e.g., GDPR, HIPAA, ISO27001, ISO13485)Key AttributesStrong collaboration skillsWillingness to learn and cross-train in new technologiesHands-on approach to exploring new technologies and developing POCsExcellent problem-solving and analytical skills, with the ability to address security challenges criticallyEffective communication and teamwork abilities, especially in cross-functional teamsAbility to manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environmentAttention to detail and commitment to security and quality assuranceFlexibility to adapt and contribute to a rapidly scaling organizationBenefitsWe offer the following benefits:Enhanced holiday pay Pension Life AssuranceIncome ProtectionPrivate Medical Insurance Hospital Cash PlanTherapy ServicesPerk BoxElectrical Car SchemeWhy work for EIT:At the Ellison Institute, we believe a collaborative, inclusive team is key to our success. We are building a supportive environment where creative risks are encouraged, and everyone feels heard. Valuing emotional intelligence, empathy, respect, and resilience, we encourage people to be curious and to have a shared commitment to excellence. Join us and make an impactTerms of Appointment:You must have the right to work permanently in the UK with a willingness to travel as necessaryYou will live in, or within easy commuting distance of, OxfordDuring peak periods, some longer hours may be required and some working across multiple time zones due to the global nature of the programme