Research User Computing Linux Specialist

About the role

The Research User Computing Linux Specialist designs, operates, and continuously improves KAUST's Linux‑based research end‑user computing platforms. The role ensures secure, reliable, and high‑performance access to scientific desktop environments for faculty, researchers, and students.

Key responsibilities

• Administer and enhance Ubuntu and Rocky Linux endpoints to provide stable scientific workstation services.
• Develop, standardize, and maintain Linux workstation builds and images for both physical and virtual scientific desktops.
• Manage remote scientific workstation platforms such as NICE DCV and Kasm Workspaces.
• Automate provisioning, configuration, patching, monitoring, and compliance using scripting, configuration‑management tools, Infrastructure as Code, and GitOps practices.
• Troubleshoot complex issues related to Linux endpoints, GPUs, drivers, performance, identity, storage, and networking.
• Integrate Linux desktops with enterprise IAM, storage, network, monitoring, security, and endpoint‑management services.
• Collaborate with faculty, research labs, HPC, storage, security, and advanced computing teams to translate scientific workflows into sustainable workstation solutions.
• Support installation, validation, and maintenance of scientific software on Linux workstations, ensuring compatibility and reproducibility.
• Implement and maintain security and compliance controls, including patching, hardening, audit logging, and endpoint security.

Required profile

• Experience administering Ubuntu and Rocky Linux environments for research or academic users.
• Familiarity with remote desktop technologies such as NICE DCV and Kasm Workspaces.
• Ability to automate tasks using scripts and Infrastructure as Code.
• Strong troubleshooting skills for Linux, GPU, driver, and network issues.
• Understanding of security and compliance requirements in a university setting.

Required skills

• Kasm Workspaces
• Infrastructure as Code
• NICE DCV
• Remote desktop platforms
• Troubleshooting
• Scripting
• Security Compliance
• Configuration management
• Automation
• Linux Administration