Scientific Applications Consultant

PAY GRADE: 29S

Context Of The Job

The Information Technologies Research Cyberinfrastructure (IT-RCI) department at the University of Delaware provides the infrastructure, applications, and services required to support the University’s diverse and growing research portfolio. Research support is a key strategic and operational activity of the central IT organization and is regarded as integral to the strategic goals of the University and the State of Delaware.

The Scientific Applications Consultant's primary responsibility will be to facilitate the use of shared research computing resources across the state of Delaware with a focus on researchers and students at non University of Delaware institutions of higher education. They will work with a diverse range of faculty, staff, and students, helping them to make the best possible use of UD's High Performance Computing (HPC) resources, research computing systems, and research data storage. The ideal candidate for this position will have excellent technical and communication skills, is curious, creative, tenacious, self-directed, and demonstrates a strong work ethic; is productive working independently as well as collaboratively.

This position is supported by external funds through Delaware EPSCoR. Continuation of this position is contingent upon performance and continued availability of external funds. Notice of non-renewal is not required. Delaware EPSCoR is a collaborative effort among the University of Delaware, Delaware State University, Delaware Technical and Community College, Goldey Beacom College, and Wilmington University. By leveraging state and federal resources, Delaware EPSCoR strengthens research infrastructure, promotes STEM education, and drives economic growth.

The Scientific Applications Consultant reports to the Director of Research Cyberinfrastructure.

Major Responsibilities

• Participates as a member of a highly technical and customer-service driven team, forging close working relationships with scientific research groups across Delaware.
• Liaison between the University of Delaware IT-RCI group and Delaware regional institutions of higher education.
• Provides end user support services to faculty, staff, and students (both within University of Delaware, and with its community partners) on the use of research computing hardware and software as well as scientific applications and scientific workflows.
• Helps to identify and understand research and education activities that can benefit from research cyberinfrastructure, not only at UD but also at other institutions, for example at national supercomputing centers; engage users to help develop and optimize workflows that effectively and efficiently use these resources.
• Educates and trains both novice and experienced users regarding research systems and services, based on extant and emerging researcher needs and user experiences.
• Works proactively to identify and develop the statewide research cyberinfrastructure user community and to broaden engagement across Delaware.
• Provides workshops and one-on-one technical assistance and training in the use of a shared high performance computing environment and associated scientific software.
• Maintains technical knowledge and keeps abreast of technical developments in area of expertise. Maintains broad knowledge of state-of-the-art technology, equipment, systems, and applicable laws and standards. Makes recommendations for use of specific applications on campus when appropriate.
• Create and maintain technical documentation for procedures and workflows.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.
  
  

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree with three years related experience or equivalent combination of education and/or experience.
• Experience with the Linux operating system and utilizing the command line interface.
• Demonstrated ability and experience with scripting and programming (e.g. Bash, Python, Perl, C, R, or Java).
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and in a collaborative and diverse environment is required.
• Effective communication skills, including organization, interpersonal, and customer-service skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and be detail oriented.
• Aptitude for learning quickly and functioning in a dynamic technological environment.
  
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience and proficiency with High Performance Computing or similar areas of study.
• Degree in the field of Computer Science, Engineering, Applied Mathematics, or Information Systems preferred.
• Experience with job schedulers, e.g. SLURM, PBS, SGE, etc.
• Experience working at an academic institution
• Experience with parallel codes and libraries (e.g. MPI, OpenMP, Cuda)
• Experience with research and/or practice in one or more ST