Research User Computing Linux Specialist

About the Role

KAUST (King Abdullah University of Science and Technology) is seeking a Research User Computing Linux Specialist to join their team in Thuwal, Makkah. This full-time role involves designing, operating, and continuously improving KAUST's Linux-based research end-user computing platforms. The specialist will ensure secure, reliable, and high-performance access to scientific desktop environments for faculty, researchers, and students.

Role Purpose and Scope

The primary purpose of this position is to manage and enhance Linux-based systems, including Ubuntu and Rocky Linux endpoints, physical scientific workstations, and virtual scientific workstation services. The specialist will be instrumental in supporting the research and academic communities by providing stable and secure scientific computing environments.

Key Responsibilities

• Administer, maintain, and improve Ubuntu and Rocky Linux end-user platforms to deliver stable and secure scientific workstation services.
• Develop, standardize, and maintain Linux workstation builds and images for physical and virtual scientific desktops.
• Manage and support remote scientific workstation platforms, including NICE DCV and Kasm Workspaces.
• Automate provisioning, configuration, patching, monitoring, and compliance activities using scripting, configuration management, Infrastructure as Code, and GitOps-aligned practices.
• Troubleshoot and resolve complex issues related to Linux endpoints, workstations, remote desktops, GPUs, drivers, performance, identity, storage, and networks.
• Integrate Linux desktops and workstations with enterprise IAM, storage, network, monitoring, security, and endpoint management services.
• Collaborate with faculty, researchers, students, research labs, HPC, storage, security, and advanced computing teams to translate scientific workflow requirements into sustainable workstation solutions.
• Support the installation, validation, and maintenance of scientific and research software on Linux workstation environments.
• Implement and maintain security and compliance controls for Linux workstation environments, including patching, hardening, audit logging, and endpoint security.
• Develop and maintain operational documentation, runbooks, user guidance, dashboards, and service metrics.
• Evaluate new Linux desktop, remote access, virtualization, automation, and scientific workstation technologies.

Required Experience

• Candidates should possess 5-10 years of relevant experience in Linux system administration and end-user computing support.

Work Environment and Conditions

This is a full-time position based in Thuwal, Makkah, at KAUST. The role involves working within a dynamic research and academic environment, collaborating with various technical and research teams to support advanced scientific computing needs.

Application Information

The salary for this position will be disclosed during the application process. Qualified candidates are encouraged to apply.