Overview
InterAx Biotech is a leading team in the field of GPCR drug discovery, stationed at the forefront of the industry. Our comprehensive expertise encompasses atomic, molecular, cellular, and organism levels, as well as all key stages of drug discovery and early development.
We leverage unique mathematical models of cell signaling, leading expertise in real-time experimental cellular assays, a profound understanding of GPCR drug pharmacology, and an advanced suite of computational chemistry, machine learning, and AI tools. Our exceptional team excels in medicinal chemistry and drug development.
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 possesses a strong background in system administration, networking, virtualization, and IT security, along with expertise in both software and hardware solutions. You will collaborate closely with our scientific computing teams to ensure 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. Apply online using the form below.
Primary Responsibilities
- Provide comprehensive IT support for researchers and staff across the organization, troubleshooting both software and hardware issues.
- Administer and support 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 a range of cloud platforms (Google Cloud, Amazon AWS, MS Azure).
- Manage on-premises servers, including data storage, computational workflows, virtualization (VMware, Hyper-V), and Active Directory.
- Support 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 biology labs (e.g., PHERAstar, FLIPR).
- Write and optimize scripts to automate routine tasks.
- Ensure system security, data integrity, and regular backups while implementing access controls and cybersecurity best practices.
- Monitor system performance and uptime, responding proactively to 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 environments.
- 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 and 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 within the pharma/biotech industry.