To ensure our research computing platforms remain secure and stable, we are establishing a regular weekly maintenance and update window starting from Tuesday 3 November. Moving to a predictable schedule allows our systems team to apply essential patches regularly. This reduces the need for short-notice, emergency interventions. What is changing? An at-risk maintenance window will … Continue reading “Introducing a weekly maintenance and security update window”
We’ve moved to SharePoint!
We’re pleased to announce that the Advanced Research Computing team webpages have moved to a new SharePoint site, available to University staff and PostGraduate Researchers (PGRs). Moving to SharePoint has given us a great opportunity to review and streamline our content. As a team, we’ve worked together to make information easier to find, reduce duplication … Continue reading “We’ve moved to SharePoint!”
How does brain function change as we age? Developing robust methods for neuroscience with BlueBEAR
In this case study, we hear from Andrew Quinn, a researcher in Psychology, who uses BEAR to understand how brain activity changes through the adult lifespan. We investigated how brain activity changes through the adult lifespan. This has been studied in previous publications, but the overall literature presents a mix of results. Measures of brain … Continue reading “How does brain function change as we age? Developing robust methods for neuroscience with BlueBEAR”
From health records to better maternity care: MuM-PreDiCT and BEAR
In this case study, we hear from Megha Singh, a researcher in Applied Health Sciences, who uses BEAR to understand the impact of multiple long-term conditions (MLTC) in pregnancy. Dr Megha Singh is a health data scientist and project manager on the MuM-PreDiCT consortium at the University of Birmingham, where she studies how routinely collected … Continue reading “From health records to better maternity care: MuM-PreDiCT and BEAR”
Accelerating Next-Generation Optical Neuroimaging with Machine Learning
In this case study, we hear from Samuel Montero Hernandez, an Assistant Professor of Computer Science, who uses BlueBEAR to develop methods for better understanding how the brain responds to complex, real-world stimuli. I am an Assistant Professor in Computer Science at the University of Birmingham, where my research focuses on analysis and methodological development, … Continue reading “Accelerating Next-Generation Optical Neuroimaging with Machine Learning”
Why did a COVID vaccine cause blood clots? Tracking a new disorder from clinic to lab bench
In this case study, we hear from Phillip Nicolson, a researcher in Cardiovascular Sciences and consultant haematologist, who uses the research data store (RDS) to store data on clotting caused in a small number of people after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine. In 2021, a new blood disorder, vaccine-induced immune thrombocytopenia and thrombosis (VITT), emerged in … Continue reading “Why did a COVID vaccine cause blood clots? Tracking a new disorder from clinic to lab bench”
Exploring the First Stars with the Next Generation of Gravitational-Wave Detectors
In this case study, we hear from Krishnendu Naderi Varium, a Research Associate in Physics and Astronomy, who uses BlueBEAR to investigate how characterising black-hole binaries formed from the remnants of the very first stars in the Universe. In my recent work, carried out in collaboration with Dr Patricia Schmidt and Dr Geraint Pratten from … Continue reading “Exploring the First Stars with the Next Generation of Gravitational-Wave Detectors”
From Prototype to Proof of Concept: A Research Software Success Story
When you’ve got a promising research idea but lack the engineering bandwidth to make it production-ready, knowing where to turn for help can be challenging. Anas Rana, a researcher from the Institute of Cancer and Genomic Science discovered that partnering with dedicated Research Software Engineers from the Advanced Research Computing Team (ARC) within IT Services, … Continue reading “From Prototype to Proof of Concept: A Research Software Success Story”
BEAR infrastructure improvements in 2026
During 2026, there has been major work undertaken on the majority of the BEAR services provided by Advanced Research Computing, which has kept the Architecture, Infrastructure and Systems Group very busy! We understand the past year may have been a frustrating time for BEAR users due to more downtime than usual, but we hope you … Continue reading “BEAR infrastructure improvements in 2026”
We’re recruiting! Grade 9 Principal Research Infrastructure Engineer
We are looking for an enthusiastic individual to lead the Systems Team within our Architecture, Infrastructure and Systems (AIS) group. The AIS group is part of the University of Birmingham’s Advanced Research Computing, one of the UK’s largest research computing teams, with around 50 FTEs. AIS designs and operates its own data centres, network, private … Continue reading “We’re recruiting! Grade 9 Principal Research Infrastructure Engineer”