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The Heidelberg Institute for Theoretical Studies (HITS) was established in 2010 by the physicist and SAP co-founder Klaus Tschira (1940-2015) and the Klaus Tschira Foundation as a private, non-profit research institute. HITS conducts basic research in the natural sciences, mathematics and computer science with a focus on the processing, structuring, and analyzing of large amounts of complex data and the development of computational methods and software. The research fields range from molecular biology to astrophysics.

An essential characteristic of the Institute is interdisciplinarity, implemented in numerous cross-group and cross-disciplinary projects. The base funding of HITS is provided by the Klaus Tschira Foundation.

Our IT Services team is looking for a

Linux System Engineer, Full Time (m/f/x)

As part of our IT Services team, you will ensure the stable, secure and high-performance operation of our Linux-based infrastructure and associated IT services, as well as driving their further development so that our researchers will be able to conduct their research in an optimal working environment. Automating recurring tasks will reduce the team’s workload, creating space for technical progress.

Your responsibilities

  • Operation, maintenance and continuous development of the Linux client and server infrastructure based on Ubuntu and AlmaLinux.
  • Independent planning and implementation of IT projects, such as optimizing user management, in close collaboration with internal and external partners.
  • Maintenance, further development and automation of IT processes using tools such as Ansible and Terraform
  • Planning, commissioning and operating platform and application components such as GitLab and JupyterHub for our researchers.
  • Helping to set up and operate a local VM and container infrastructure, including associated programming and automation tasks.
  • Expansion, optimization and operation of monitoring based on CheckMK and Prometheus, including setting up new monitoring tasks.
  • User support, as well as analyzing and handling monitoring alerts

Your profile

  • Proven IT skills, obtained through a completed IT degree or equivalent practical experience
  • Excellent knowledge of Linux system administration and in-depth knowledge of virtualization, container technologies (e.g. Docker/Kubernetes), network technologies, distributed storage solutions (e.g. Ceph) and associated IT security concepts.
  • Proven experience in automating IT processes, ideally with tools such as Ansible, Terraform and NetBox.
  • Basic knowledge of key Windows infrastructure services, such as Active Directory, DNS and DHCP, is advantageous.
  • Knowledge of programming and scripting languages such as Go, Python and Bash.
  • Highly motivated to adopt and apply new technologies, with a structured, goal-oriented working style and the ability to think and act in a flexible manner.
  • Very good written and spoken English.

We offer

As an organisation affiliated with the Klaus Tschira Foundation (KTS), we offer a wide range of benefits:

  • A competitive salary based on qualifications and professional experience. The salary range is between 55.000 and 65.000 EUR p.a. for a full-time post.
  • Work-life integration: Flexible working hours, 30 days of vacation, additional company holidays, and the option to work remotely on a pro-rata basis.
  • Job ticket, fitness and childcare subsidies, capital-forming benefits, company pension plan, vouchers for health screenings, and other attractive benefits.
  • Free car park and bicycle parking spaces with charging facilities.
  • Varied and subsidized meals in our in-house restaurant with free drinks and a coffee and tea bar.

Find more information about Working at HITS.

If you have any questions about the position, please contact the HR team by mail or by phone at 06221-533-246.

The position is available from 1 August 2026 on a two-year fixed-term contract with the option of conversion to a permanent role.

Please upload the following documents via our application portal:

  • Cover letter stating your earliest possible start date and salary expectations
  • CV
  • References/certificates

HITS gGmbH stands for equal opportunities and we strongly believe that our research benefits from inclusive and diverse teams.

Contact person

HR Team