Hybrid Advanced Research Computing Coordinator bei University of Saskatchewan

Primary Purpose:
The University of Saskatchewan and Digital Research Alliance of Canada partner to provide advanced research computing (ARC) support, including high performance computing, high performance storage, and data management support to researchers at the University, using local and national ARC infrastructure and services. The Advanced Research Computing Coordinator manages the central University ARC services and support, leads the University’s technical and operational participation in the Digital Research Alliance of Canada organization.  This position requires expertise in the use of research computing services, and an understanding of the research process and the IT environment of the university.

Nature of Work:

Reporting to Manager of research, Library and Data Center Technologies department in ICT, this position involves collaboration with colleagues around campus and across the country, including researchers, and Digital Research Alliance of Canada staff and leaders.  The environment is complex and fast paced with numerous competing deadlines.  The position provides consultative leadership through committees and working groups in advanced research computing.  The consequences of error or of sub-standard work are significant as there is potential for loss of researcher data, and impact on institutional reputation. Frequent participation in local and Digital research Alliance of Canada meetings and working groups is expected, and occasional travel, both within Canada and internationally, is also expected.  Occasional weekend and evening work is required.  Frequent use of video-conferencing and remote collaboration technologies is required.

Accountabilities:

• Supervising staff assigned to Advanced Research Computing projects and services
• Providing or arranging consulting services to researchers regarding accessing ARC resources at USask and throughout Digital Research Alliance of Canada, and the effective use of these resources
• Planning of advanced research computing services in coordination with Digital Research Alliance of Canada, ICT management, and Research Services. This involves multi-year plans and budgets, and extensive consultation
• Representing the University of Saskatchewan to Digital Research Alliance of Canada. Actively participating in Digital Research Alliance of Canada meetings, and briefing University management on developments and opportunities within Digital research Alliance of Canada
• Participating on Digital Research Alliance of Canada working groups and leadership teams and ensuring USask-Digital Research Alliance of Canada staff are effectively participating in Digital Research Alliance of Canada teams aligned with their expertise
• Managing and coordinating the provision and ongoing evolution of University of Saskatchewan Advanced Computing services and support, including institutional High-Performance Computing (HPC), research data storage, research data management and training services
• Providing or arranging training for researchers in specialized areas of Advanced Research Computing, e.g. Big Data processing, parallel programming, scientific computing, computational accelerators
• Assisting researchers with the development of grant applications or applications to utilize ARC resources
• Consulting with researchers regarding USask ARC infrastructure and on options available for integration and utilization of ARC resource
• Accelerating research and enabling research publication and presentations for USask and Canadian researchers
• Participating as part of the larger team in discussions, decisions and tasks related to the overall configuration, operation, and support of IT for University of Saskatchewan research and scholarship
• Providing expert advice and counsel to senior business unit leaders related to Advanced Research Computing. 

Qualifications:

Education & Experience

We appreciate that non-traditional career paths may have developed a candidate’s competency, and alternate combinations of education and experience may be considered.  

A graduate degree in Computer Science or related field is strongly preferred. A combination of education and relevant experience may be considered.  

Five years of employment experience, supporting Advanced Research Computing and/or High Performance, large-scale storage in an academic environment is desired.  Experience working within an ARC consortium (e.g. Digital Research Alliance of Canada, XSEDE etc) would be a significant asset.  Research experience is a significant asset.

Experience with any of the following will be considered an asset:

• University research environments
• Integration and use of Scientific Software stack (eg. CVMFS, commercial research software)
• Computational methods utilizing large scale parallel execution (eg. Batch scheduling, MPI, MP, compute cluster environment)
• Linux Operating Systems
• Research Data Management (RDM)
• Coding using scripting languages (eg. Python, Bash etc)
• Project management

Skills:  Demonstrated strong leadership and consensus building skills; self-starter, highly organized with polished presentation, written, and interpersonal skills; fierce commitment to self-improvement and development of skills; excellent verbal and written communication skills in English; ability to work independently, collaboratively and within a team environment; strong research and analytical skills; proven ability to prioritize and meet deadlines; demonstrated ability to think and act strategically, and exercise diplomacy, creativity, and self-motivation; familiarity and experience with higher education business processes.

Experience with many of: high performance computing architectures, computer cluster technologies, parallelization techniques and issues, HPC scheduling, system administration skills, data storage and management, collaboration technologies, and data visualization technologies and techniques, image processing, identity management, high performance networking, data center operations.  Experience with project management, budgeting, research funding, management would be an asset.