Linux Engineer DANS

What will you be doing?

As part of our ICT Support Team, you will ensure smooth operations between platform service providers, operational systems, and our developers. Independence is key: you will take responsibility for deployments, operational testing, and the overall availability and usability of DANS data services and APIs.

In this role, approximately 80% of your time will be devoted to system administration tasks: maintaining, securing, and optimising our Linux and cloud infrastructure. The remaining 20% of your time will be focused on development and automation, for example by writing scripts, setting up CI/CD processes, or implementing Infrastructure as Code using Ansible and Terraform/OpenTofu, and potentially exploring “serverless” implementations in the future.

You will work in a technically strong team that continuously seeks improvements in reliability, scalability, and security. You will assess, implement, and mitigate security issues, and ensure the proper use and specifications of encrypted storage for data deposits. In addition, you will take care of daily maintenance and support.

What will you bring to the table?

For this challenging position, we are looking for an enthusiastic professional with a completed higher professional or academic education in a relevant IT field, or with proven knowledge and experience in this area.

You have extensive knowledge of:

• Linux (RHEL/Ubuntu)
• Ansible
• Docker
• Terraform/OpenTofu
• Kubernetes
• BASH
• Python

It is an advantage if you have experience with:

• Hardware management
• Storage
• Network security
• Cloud technologies
• Zabbix monitoring

Who are you?
Customer-oriented and an excellent communicator, you can translate client needs into effective ICT solutions. Fluent in both Dutch and English, spoken and written, you combine a goal- and solution-oriented mindset with a hands-on mentality.

Working independently suits you well, yet you also thrive in a team environment — ideally in collaboration with academically trained professionals.

Terms of employment
Depending on education and experience the minimum salary is € 3.546,-- to a maximum of € 5.538,-- gross per month for a fulltime employment (=38 hours, scale 10 cao Nederlandse Universiteiten/KNAW). This is exclusive of 8% vacation allowance, 8.3% year-end bonus, travel allowance, internet allowance, home working allowance and pension accrual with ABP. Initially, it is a fixed-term contract for one year with the possibility of a permanent contract.

The KNAW offers its staff an excellent package of secondary benefits. A package that meets the different needs of employees depending on their stage of life, lifestyle or career ambitions. For example, by working an extra two hours a week, it is possible to increase the number of days off from 29 to 41 days a year (with fulltime employment).

For a complete overview of the terms of employment, please refer to the web page: werken bij de KNAW.


Applying for a Certificate of Good Conduct is part of the employment procedure.

Where is your workplace?

DANS is located on Anna van Saksenlaan in The Hague, within walking distance of Laan van NOI station. It is possible to work partially (up to 50%) from home.

Who can you contact for more information?
For further information about the position, please contact Marc van Eersel at marc.van.eersel@dans.knaw.nl. Information about DANS is available on dans.knaw.nl.