To apply for this role you must have:
- Significant experience managing and maintaining Microsoft Access databases, including VBA and backend structures;
- Proven ability to stabilise and modernise legacy systems with minimal documentation;
- Strong understanding of database design principles, data integrity, and risk management.
We are looking for a detail-oriented Database Administrator to support the daily operations within the department.
The position is set to commence as soon as possible and will be full-time for an initial duration of 12 weeks with a pay rate of £18.80-20.77 per hour (DOE) + holiday pay.
Key Responsibilities:
Database Ownership and Technical Leadership
- Act as the senior technical owner for the IML database system, including both front-end and back-end components.
- Take responsibility for understanding, documenting, and maintaining a legacy Microsoft Access backend that has not been actively maintained for several years.
- Ensure all development activity is carried out using offline or backup copies of the database to protect the integrity of the live system.
- Identify and remediate risks arising from single-developer legacy design, hard-coded dependencies, and outdated configurations.
Database Modernisation and Development
- Lead the reconfiguration of the database backend to remove hard-coded file paths and private-machine dependencies, enabling successful recompilation and future maintenance.
- Design and implement table-driven solutions to replace hard-coded values within the system, including:
- Ensure new database structures support ease of update, auditability, and long-term sustainability without requiring code changes for routine updates.
System Enhancement and Usability Improvements
- Lead subsequent phases of development to improve overall system functionality and usability.
- Enhance document management functionality, including enabling and maintaining links between database records and document file locations to improve traceability and operational efficiency.
- Identify further opportunities to reduce technical debt, improve data integrity, and streamline user workflows.
Governance, Documentation, and Assurance
- Produce and maintain clear technical documentation covering database structure, dependencies, and maintenance processes.
- Establish appropriate controls and standards for future development and change management.
- Provide assurance to senior stakeholders that risks to business-critical data are understood and appropriately managed.
Stakeholder Engagement and Capability Building
- Work closely with IML staff to understand operational requirements and translate them into technical solutions.
- Provide advice and guidance to non-technical colleagues on database capabilities and limitations.
- Reduce organisational dependency on single individuals by ensuring knowledge is documented and transferable.
Selection Criteria:
- Significant experience managing and maintaining Microsoft Access databases, including VBA and backend structures.
- Proven ability to stabilise and modernise legacy systems with minimal documentation.
- Strong understanding of database design principles, data integrity, and risk management.
- Experience leading technical workstreams and making design decisions at a senior level.
- Ability to balance hands-on technical delivery with strategic oversight and stakeholder engagement.
Vacancy ID: 21358
Please be aware that all candidates need to be able to start work immediately and must be able to work on site if required to do so.
Further information can about the Temporary Staffing Service can be found on our website https://www.jobs.ox.ac.uk/temporary-staffing-service