Automation Engineer

About VIB

VIB is a globally recognized non-profit research institute committed to advancing life sciences through groundbreaking strategic basic research. Collaborating with five leading universities in Flanders, we drive innovation and scientific discovery in biotechnology, genomics, and computational biology.

The VIB Data Core is a key enabler of this mission, providing cutting-edge IT infrastructure and services to support our scientists. We tackle complex data storage, management, computational resources, and scalability challenges, working closely with world-class partners such as the ELIXIR consortium, a European research infrastructure connecting life science resources.

The Role

We are seeking an Automation Engineer to join our Data Center Operations team to support our growing data-driven initiatives. You will play a critical role in designing, deploying, and managing state-of-the-art IT infrastructure tailored to life sciences research needs, with an ‘Automation First’ mindset. More specifically, you will be involved in creating and maintaining an infrastructure for storing, sharing, and processing sensitive human research data.

Key Responsibilities

• Automate infrastructure provisioning and configuration management (Infrastructure as Code).
• Maintain and optimize HPC, cloud, and on-premise environments.
• Monitor system performance and implement security best practices.
• Collaborate with bioinformaticians, software engineers, and system administrators to enhance research workflows.
• Troubleshoot and resolve operational issues efficiently.
• Contribute to documentation and knowledge sharing within the team.

Your Profile

We welcome applicants with varying levels of expertise and specialization, including professionals eager to learn and experienced Automation Engineer profiles ready to take on new challenges. Teamwork and collaboration with the broader Data Core and VIB teams are key to the role, alongside continuous learning, self-growth, and motivation.

Requirements

• A degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or equivalent experience.
• Experience in an Automation Engineer, DevOps Engineer, Site Reliability Engineer, or System Administrator role.
• Experience generating and using software containers (e.g. Docker, Kubernetes).
• Experience with configuration management tools (e.g. Ansible, Puppet, Terraform).
• Knowledge of CI/CD tools (e.g. Jenkins, GitLab CI/CD, ArgoCD).
• Scripting and automation skills (e.g. Bash, Python, REST API).
• Familiarity with monitoring and logging tools (Prometheus, Grafana, ELK stack).
• Understanding of security best practices in automation workflows.
• A critical analytical mindset and problem-solving attitude.
• A proactive and collaborative way of working, with excellent communication skills.

What we offer

• A permanent contract and a competitive salary with benefits tailored to your expertise.
• Continuous training and development opportunities to keep your skills at the forefront of technology.
• A cutting-edge IT environment with access to the latest technologies and tools.
• Work alongside world-class stakeholders in life sciences and IT as part of a passionate, multidisciplinary team.
• Contributing to the advancement of biotech science.
• A vibrant and international workplace at the Tech Lane Ghent Science Park, with flexibility for remote work.

How to Apply?

If you are passionate about contributing to life sciences through innovative IT solutions and eager to grow in a collaborative and dynamic environment, we’d love to hear from you!

Join us at VIB Data Core and be part of a team shaping the future of data-driven science!