Main Purpose of the Job

The IT Security & Operations Analyst will be responsible for the day to day operation of the Core Computing department’s service availability and information security monitoring, covering desktop, infrastructure and network areas.

They will help administer security systems, monitor threats and service alerts, and assist with incident response to protect critical data and systems, working under the direction of the Senior IT Security Specialist and alongside other teams across Computing and will need to balance risk management and operational flexibility and efficiency.

The Core Computing department is responsible for the provision of IT network and server infrastructure, messaging and collaboration services, application support and development and desktop support services to the Norwich Biosciences Institutes.

The IT Security & Operations Analyst will be a vital part of the Core Computing team, providing the day-to-day security and operational oversight that helps maintain the security and availability Institute’s systems, services and data. The role offers the opportunity to build practical cyber security and IT operations management skills within a complex research environment while supporting senior team members in threat detection, incident investigation and security improvement initiatives. Through collaboration across technical teams, the postholder will help ensure that security remains an integral part of the Institute’s operations and future development.

Key Relationships

Internal: Core and Research Computing teams; other departments in the Partnership and across the Institutes

External: Vendors and external partners, JISC cyber security community
 

Main Activities & Responsibilities

Percentage

Monitoring and resolution of desktop, infrastructure and network security and operational alerts, undertaking initial incident assessment and triage, and escalating incidents where necessary

50

Assisting with the implementation of security policy across the Core Computing estate and contributing to ongoing improvements of security incident and vulnerability management as required, including vulnerability assessment, remediation and mitigation recommendations

30

Championing awareness of security issues to NBI staff and identifying potential security champions, promoting security best practice across the Partnership

10

Working with other teams to support the secure design, definition, and implementation of new IT-wide solutions, ensuring security requirements are embedded in solution design and implementation

10

As agreed with the line manager, any other duties commensurate with the nature of the post

Education & Qualifications

Requirement

Importance

Degree in computing or equivalent demonstrable work experience

Essential

Degree/MSc in cyber security or similar relevant subject

Desirable

SOC Blue Team Level 1

Desirable

Specialist Knowledge & Skills

Requirement

Importance

Demonstrable operational experience in IT support

Essential

Demonstrable diagnostic skills and the ability to develop creative solutions to problems.

Essential

Previous experience or demonstrable understanding of the following: Mac OS (all versions, including iOS); Windows 7, 10 and 11; Windows Server; Linux (CentOS/RHEL, Ubuntu, Alma); Office365 Exchange, Defender365, SharePoint and the MS Office suite.

Essential

Previous experience or demonstrable understanding of the following: Mobile device management (Jamf Cloud, MS SCCM, Intune); Active Directory and EntraID; SSO and Federated authentication (EntraID and Shibboleth); Security technologies, anti-virus and XDR and endpoint encryption;

Essential

Good understanding of networking principles (TCP/IP, DHCP, DNS).

Essential

Previous experience or demonstrable understanding of the following: System monitoring and alerting (Splunk, Netwrix, InMon); Scripting (Shell, Python, Perl, PowerShell); Vulnerability testing.

Desirable

Relevant Experience

Requirement

Importance

Prior experience of working in an IT support environment

Essential

Experience of carrying out agreed operational procedures to a high standard.

Essential

Experience of monitoring and responding to IT or information security related alerts and incidents

Essential

Experience of administering or supporting security monitoring, endpoint protection or identity management technologies

Essential

Experience of applying security controls within Microsoft 365 and enterprise IT environments

Desirable

Prior experience of working in a research environment

Desirable

Interpersonal & Communication Skills

Requirement

Importance

Good communication skills, both written and verbal

Essential

Good interpersonal skills, with the ability to work well as part of a team

Essential

Demonstrated ability to work independently, using initiative and applying problem solving skills

Essential

Additional Requirements

Requirement

Importance

Attention to detail

Essential

Promotes equality and values diversity

Essential

Strong organisational skills and a demonstrable ability to manage own time effectively and decide own priorities without close supervision

Essential

Ability to maintain confidentiality and security of information where appropriate

Essential

Ability to build effective relationships at all levels and across teams

Essential

Willingness to work outside standard working hours when required

Essential

NBI Partnership

The NBI Partnership provides non-scientific services to the John Innes Centre (JIC), Quadram Institute Bioscience (QIB), Earlham Institute (EI) and The Sainsbury Laboratory (TSL). All of these organisations carry out scientific research funded by the UK Government, European Union, Charitable and Industrial Sponsors. The Partnership employs around 140 staff to cater for the needs of approximately 1100 Research Staff, Students and Visiting Scientists who are all located in close proximity on the Norwich Research Park.

The John Innes Centre, Quadram Institute Bioscience, the Earlham Institute and The Sainsbury Laboratory are registered charities (No’s 223852, 1058499, 1136213 and 106550) and are Equal Opportunity Employers.

For more information about working at NBI Partnership, please click here.

Department

Computing

Living in Norfolk

• Visit Norfolk
• Schools in Norfolk
• Childcare in Norfolk

IT Security & Operations Analyst

The NBI Partnership (NBIP) has an exciting opportunity for an IT Security & Operations Analyst to join their busy Core Computing department.

Background:

The Norwich Bioscience Institutes are a cluster of internationally renowned research organisations, working to tackle major challenges of the 21st Century – the sustainability of our environment, our food supplies and healthy ageing. 

The NBI Partnership provides high quality, non-scientific support services for the diverse community of staff, students and visiting workers at the Institutes (the Earlham Institute, John Innes Centre, The Sainsbury Laboratory and Quadram Institute Bioscience) and for the NBI Partnership.

Based on the Norwich Research Park amongst 230 hectares of parkland, you will be joining a committed, professional and welcoming team.  In addition, you will enjoy a competitive salary and annual leave, our defined contribution pension scheme, excellent recreational facilities and a range of other employee benefits.

The Core Computing department is responsible for the provision of IT network and server infrastructure, messaging and collaboration services, application support and development and desktop support services to the Norwich Biosciences Institutes. 

The role:

The IT Security & Operations Analyst will be a vital part of the Core Computing team, providing day-to-day security and operational oversight to help maintain the security and availability of the Institute’s systems, services and data. The role will be responsible for service availability and information security monitoring across desktop, infrastructure and network areas.

The postholder will help administer security systems, monitor threats and service alerts, and assist with incident response to protect critical data and systems. Working under the direction of the Senior IT Security Specialist and alongside other teams across Computing, they will support threat detection, incident investigation and security improvement initiatives, while balancing risk management with operational flexibility and efficiency.

Through collaboration across technical teams, the postholder will help ensure that security remains an integral part of the Institute’s operations and future development. The role offers the opportunity to build practical cyber security and IT operations management skills within a complex research environment while supporting senior team members and contributing to the continuous improvement of security and operational practices.

The ideal candidate:

The post holder will have a degree in Computing, Cyber Security or a related subject, or equivalent demonstrable work experience. They will have demonstrable operational experience in IT support, including monitoring and responding to IT and information security alerts and incidents, and administering or supporting security monitoring, endpoint protection or identity management technologies. They will have good diagnostic skills, with the ability to develop creative solutions to problems.

The successful applicant will also have previous experience of, or a demonstrable understanding of:
• Mac OS (all versions, including iOS), Windows 10 and 11, Windows Server, and Linux (CentOS/RHEL, Ubuntu and Alma Linux).
• Microsoft 365 services including Exchange Online, Microsoft Defender, SharePoint and the Microsoft Office suite.
• Mobile device management technologies, including Jamf Cloud, Microsoft SCCM and Intune.
• Active Directory and Microsoft Entra ID.
• Single Sign-On (SSO) and federated authentication technologies, including Entra ID and Shibboleth.
• Security technologies including anti-virus, XDR and endpoint encryption.

Additional information:

Salary on appointment will be within the range £38,000 to £42,150 per annum depending on qualifications and experience. This is a full-time post on an indefinite basis.

The NBI Partnership is an equal opportunities and disability confident employer. We are committed to attracting, recruiting and retaining the best talent, and welcome all applications.

The closing date for applications will be 19 November 2026.

We reserve the right to close the advert prior to the closing date stated should we receive a high volume of applications. It is therefore advisable that you submit your application as early as possible to avoid disappointment.