Reference: SA26
Start date: 13/10/2026
Expiration Date: 11/11/2026 23:59:00

Description

The IT, Scientific Computing and AI Area at the Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO) is looking for a systems administrator to run the infrastructure behind the centre’s research day to day: petabyte-scale research storage, backup and archive, and the Linux and Windows servers that host internal and scientific applications. You will join a growing team, working alongside senior colleagues in systems administration and scientific computing, with support from external specialists in networking and Microsoft 365. The role carries real responsibility from the first months and room to take ownership of core systems as you grow into it.
The main responsibilities are:
• Managing research storage: access and permissions for Windows and Linux users, quotas, new project spaces and restores.
• Operating backup and archive, including tape: daily checks, retention, archiving of scientific instrument data, restores and regular restore tests.
• Managing user accounts and access in Active Directory and Microsoft 365: joiners, movers and leavers, licences, mailboxes, shared mailboxes and distribution lists, access groups and service accounts.
• Maintaining Linux and Windows servers with their certificates and DNS records, and handling routine virtual machine requests.
• Automating repetitive work, writing clear procedures so the service desk can take first-line requests, and acting as second line for infrastructure incidents.
CNIO is one of Europe’s leading cancer research centres. Its research groups and core scientific units (genomics, proteomics, microscopy, cryo-electron microscopy, flow cytometry and others) generate large volumes of data, and the IT, Scientific Computing and AI Area runs the infrastructure that the centre’s research and administration depend on.

Selection Criteria

Required:
• A university degree in computing, telecommunications or a related field, or a higher vocational qualification (Técnico Superior) in systems administration, or equivalent.
• At least 3 years of hands-on server administration (not desktop support).
• Practical experience administering both Linux and Windows servers, including Active Directory and file-share permissions.
• Practical experience with enterprise storage or with backup and restore.
• Scripting to automate routine tasks (for example Bash, Python or PowerShell).
• Spanish and English at professional working level.
Valued:
• Experience with large-scale or multi-protocol file storage, tape and long-term data archiving.
• Microsoft 365 administration, particularly users, licences and Exchange Online mail.
• Virtualisation, automation and configuration management, monitoring, and certificate and DNS management.
• Knowledge of the Spanish National Security Framework (ENS) or ISO 27001, experience in research, university or hospital environments, and relevant certifications.
Selection process:
Candidates shortlisted on their CV will take a practical exercise and an interview, part of which is held in English. The final decision rests mainly on these two stages.

The CNIO Offers

• Incorporation into a Cancer Research Centre of excellence of international relevance.
• Gross annual salary between €45,000 and €65,000.
• Social benefits. Flexible compensation (health insurance, meals, transportation, childcare).
• Mentoring from senior colleagues from day one, and support for training and certification.
• Hybrid with 2 days on site in Madrid. The role needs regular on-site presence for physical equipment and media.
• Permanent contract.

Applications

Applicants should send their applications by e-mail to empleo@cnio.es, clearly quoting the Reference: SA26 in the subject line of the e-mail. Applications and resumes without a reference will not be considered.

Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO) data protection policy

Basic information about data protection

Pursuant to the provisions of EU Regulation 2016/679 regarding the protection of personal data (GDPR), any personal data you provide us with through this employment offer will be duly recorded and incorporated into the data processing systems managed by the Spanish National Cancer Research Centre Foundation (F.S.P CNIO) in order to register and manage your participation in the corresponding selection process. Furthermore, your personal information will not be passed onto anyone else except when required by law, and it will also not be used for any other purpose than the one indicated here. You may exercise your rights regarding access, rectification, suppression, limitation of processing, portability and opposition by writing to the following address: c/Melchor Fernandez Almagro 3, 28029 (Madrid), addressing your correspondence to the Delegado de Protección de Datos, or by emailing: delegado_lopd@cnio.es

If you require further information about the processing of your personal data, go to the following link on our webpage: https://www.cnio.es/politica-de-privacidad-y-proteccion-de-datos/