Overview
InterAx Biotech is among the leading GPCR drug discovery teams within the industry. Our in-house expertise spans from atomic and molecular levels to cellular and organism levels, covering all key stages of drug discovery and early drug development.
We leverage unique mathematical models of cell signaling and employ leading experimental cellular assays, alongside a profound understanding of GPCR pharmacology. Our state-of-the-art suite of computational chemistry, machine learning, and AI tools combines with exceptional medicinal chemistry and drug development expertise.
We are currently expanding our team in the Zurich–Basel area of Switzerland and are seeking an experienced Senior System Administrator to manage and optimize both cloud and on-premises IT infrastructures. The ideal candidate will possess a strong background in system administration, networking, virtualization, and IT security, along with expertise in both software and hardware solutions. This role requires close collaboration with our scientific computing teams to ensure the high availability, performance, and security of our systems.
Please note: Due to Swiss regulations, we only consider Swiss, EU/EFTA applicants or applicants with a valid work permit.
Primary Responsibilities
- Provide comprehensive IT support for researchers and staff across the organization, troubleshooting both software and hardware issues.
- Administer and support our cloud infrastructure, including virtual machines, containers, infrastructure as code, CI/CD pipelines, identity and access management (IAM), and network configurations, alongside scientific application workloads across various cloud platforms (Google Cloud, Amazon AWS, MS Azure).
- Manage on-premises servers, focusing on data storage, computational workflows, virtualization (VMware, Hyper-V), and Active Directory.
- Support the deployment and maintenance of specialized scientific software and workflows used in molecular modeling, computational biology, cheminformatics, and data analytics (e.g., GROMACS, KNIME, RDKit, Matlab, Python-based workflows, Ray, parallel computing, MLOps).
- Configure, troubleshoot, and support network infrastructure (including Cisco routers, switches, VPNs, firewalls, and secure remote access).
- Oversee the installation, configuration, and updates of operating systems (Linux, Windows, macOS), applications, and drivers.
- Troubleshoot software and hardware issues of experimental instruments in the biology lab (e.g., PHERAstar, FLIPR).
- Write and optimize scripts to automate routine tasks.
- Ensure system security and data integrity through regular backups, implementing access controls, and adhering to cybersecurity best practices.
- Monitor system performance and uptime, proactively addressing potential issues.
- Document IT procedures, system configurations, and troubleshooting protocols for internal knowledge sharing.
- Assist with the technical onboarding of new employees, ensuring they have the necessary tools and access.
- Collaborate with research teams to understand and anticipate IT needs in support of ongoing research projects.
Education and Key Qualifications
- M.Sc. in Computer Science, Information Technology, Engineering, or a related discipline.
- 5+ years of experience in systems administration, including Linux, macOS, and Windows.
- Proficiency in managing cloud platforms and hybrid infrastructure setups.
- Clear understanding of Infrastructure as Code and Immutable Infrastructure.
- Familiarity with scientific computing tools (Python, R, Jupyter, Docker, conda environments).
- Scripting skills for automation (PowerShell, Bash, Python).
- Knowledge of virtualization technologies (VMware ESXi, VCenter, Hyper-V).
- Experience with cybersecurity best practices.
- Expertise in Active Directory / Exchange.
- Strong problem-solving abilities and adaptability.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work with non-technical users.
- Fluency in English; proficiency in German is a plus.
Nice to Have
- Experience working in a start-up environment or the pharma/biotech industry.
Apply online using the form below. Please note that only applications matching the job profile will be considered.