Research User Computing Linux Specialist

About the Role

The Research User Computing Linux Specialist is responsible for designing, managing, and enhancing Linux-based computing platforms at KAUST, specifically targeting research user environments utilizing Ubuntu and Rocky Linux systems. This includes oversight of physical scientific workstations and virtual desktop services to ensure secure, dependable, and high-performing access for faculty, researchers, and students.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

• Maintain, administer, and optimize Ubuntu and Rocky Linux platforms to deliver stable, secure workstations for KAUST's academic and research communities.
• Create, standardize, and upkeep Linux workstation images for physical and virtual desktops to guarantee uniformity and reliability for research activities.
• Support and manage remote scientific workstation tools such as NICE DCV and Kasm Workspaces enabling secure and efficient research desktop accessibility.
• Automate system setup, patch management, monitoring, and compliance checks through scripting, configuration management, Infrastructure as Code, and GitOps methodologies.
• Identify, diagnose, and resolve complex technical issues related to Linux endpoints, GPUs, drivers, remote desktops, identity, storage, networking, and performance, with escalation when necessary.
• Integrate Linux workstation environments with enterprise identity management, storage solutions, networks, monitoring tools, security frameworks, and endpoint management systems to ensure operational compliance and reliability.
• Collaborate with academic and technical teams including faculty, HPC, storage, security, and advanced computing groups to comprehend scientific workflows and devise effective workstation solutions.
• Manage the installation, validation, and upkeep of scientific and research applications on Linux workstations, with attention to compatibility, efficiency, reproducibility, and user requirements.
• Enforce security and compliance controls such as patching, hardening, audit logging, and endpoint protection in alignment with KAUST policies and industry standards.
• Develop and maintain operational documentation, including runbooks, user support materials, dashboards, and service performance metrics to facilitate continuous improvement and transparency.
• Assess emerging technologies in Linux desktop environments, remote access, virtualization, automation, and scientific workstations, offering recommendations to enhance service quality and capabilities.
• Perform additional related duties that fall within the scope of expertise and knowledge relevant to the position.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Computer Engineering, Engineering, or allied disciplines is required.
• Preferably holds Linux certification such as Red Hat Certified Engineer, Linux Foundation Certified Engineer, LPIC, or equivalents.
• Formal certifications or training in configuration management, automation, security, IT service management, or platforms like NICE DCV and Kasm Workspaces are advantageous.
• Possession of security, cloud, networking, or endpoint management certifications such as Security+, CISSP, CCNA, ITIL, or similar is desirable.

Required Skills and Competencies

• Proficient in Linux administration and troubleshooting across endpoint, workstation, and scientific desktop settings.
• Strong aptitude for automation using scripting, configuration management, Infrastructure as Code, and repeatable operational processes to minimize manual effort.
• Understanding of research computing needs including GPU-enabled workstations, scientific applications, reproducibility, performance, and secure remote access techniques.
• Capability to resolve issues spanning operating systems, drivers, remote desktop software, identity management, storage, networking, security measures, and end-user setups.
• Customer-oriented approach with effective communication skills to interact with faculty, researchers, students, and IT teams, maintaining clear expectations.
• Commitment to documentation excellence aiding continuous improvement through runbooks, standards, support resources, and operational measurement.
• Strong collaboration skills fostering effective partnerships with platform, network, security, identity management, storage, HPC, vendor, and research support units.
• Awareness and compliance with security, audit, and operational risk considerations within research computing environments.
• Ability to prioritize tasks effectively under tight deadlines while sustaining service stability and user trust.
• Proactive attitude towards learning and evaluating new Linux technologies, remote workstation approaches, automation tools, and scientific computing advancements.

Preferred Experience

• Hands-on familiarity with remote scientific workstation platforms such as NICE DCV and Kasm Workspaces or related technologies.
• Experience supporting GPU-accelerated Linux workstations, NVIDIA/CUDA platforms, scientific software ecosystems, or specialized research desktops.
• Knowledge of security and compliance frameworks including NIST 800-171, NIST 800-53, CIS Benchmarks, ISO standards, or institutional security protocols.
• Direct collaboration with academic stakeholders, labs, vendors, and cross-functional IT teams to gather requirements and deliver sustainable technical solutions.