Job opportunity with the CRDCN: Senior Research Computing Specialist

We are seeking a Senior Research Computing Specialist to join the system administration and user support team. Reporting to the Lead IT Architect (CRDCN Project), the successful candidate will be working at McMaster University with security and technology teams from Statistics Canada, Compute Canada, and the CRDCN to implement, deploy and support the CRDCN’s next generation technology platform which will be integrated into the Compute Canada National Computing Platform. Interested candidates should apply by November 26. All details available by clicking on the news title.Job Summary

Responsible for exercising discretion and independent judgment in providing comprehensive technical support services for high performance computing, computational science, and mass data storage. Provides specialized working knowledge in computer security, network architecture, system administration and programming to support high-performance and research computing. Plans, consults, coordinates and implements complex project assignments in the design, development and implementation of information technology solutions for research. Acts as an expert resource for other IT staff. Responsible for exercising discretion and independent judgment in providing comprehensive technical support services for high performance computing, computational science, and mass data storage. Provides specialized working knowledge in computer security, network architecture, system administration and programming to support high-performance and research computing. Plans, consults, coordinates and implements complex project assignments in the design, development and implementation of information technology solutions for research. Acts as an expert resource for other IT staff.

Duties and Responsibilities

Design and implement complex multi-system services such as data backuparchitecture.

Design complex database structures for research projects, considering competing factors such as speed, ease of comprehension and extensibility.

Develop, maintain, and support software systems for mass data storage and retrieval. Write complex computer code using various computing and scripting languages.

Implement new technologies within existing infrastructure, and solve complex problems in creating and adapting research computing applications.

Monitor and analyze system and network logs for anomalous activity and take appropriate measures where necessary which might indicate a hardware failure, software problem, or security breach.

Determine the scope of security breaches and their impact on data and network security. Perform security forensics to determine the source of the attacker and the point of vulnerability and take necessary steps to mitigate potential attack vectors.

Analyze system logs and performance metrics for use in tuning the performance of servers, workstations, and networks.

Complete various complex analyses and statistical calculations pertaining to system loads, network loads, and capacity forecasts.

Design. develop and implement strategies to ensure data and system security and continuity.

Develop capital and maintenance budgets for computation facilities.

Design server rooms and other computation facilities, ensuring adequate power supply, cooling systems, and backup systems.

Write technical proposals including purchase and maintenance cost analyses.

Write technical documentation for programs or systems designed for implementers and future developers.

Write end-user documentation of technical resources for non-technical audiences.

Write sections of applications for funding, in collaboration with members of the research team and other research support staff.

Create data-protection and data-continuity procedures.

Negotiate hardware and software purchases with vendors.

Provide support to end users to help solve design and coding issues.

Source various hardware and software for use in the department.

Coordinate necessary downtime of systems and resources for maintenance and upgrades. Troubleshoot hardware, software, and network issues.

Review computing requirements and budgets of new research projects to determine if existing systems can be used and what, if any, new software or hardware will need to be purchased.

Estimate time and resources required for the completion of projects.

Configure various servers and systems.

Critically evaluate information gathered from multiple sources, reconcile conflicts, decompose high-level information into details, distinguish user requests from the true underlying needs, and use this information to design and implement IT solutions to support research, working collaboratively with other staff.

Perform advanced levels of analysis and problem solving to formulate solutions to complex research needs.

Troubleshoot computer system problems that may require an end-to-end evaluation of University-wide systems often spanning multiple heterogeneous hosts and locations across the university and with external service providers.

Contribute to the development of cost and time estimates for highly specialized and technical project implementation.

Prepare technical specifications and requests for quotes from suppliers.

Work collaborativesly with others to achieve departmental and instutional goals. Actively participate as a member of a team to move the team toward the completion of goals.

Successfully engage in multiple projects and initiatives simultaneously.

Install and maintain operating systems.

Keep accurate records of work performed.

Remain current with frequent changes in applicable technologies.

Provide Lead Hand Supervision, and is responsible for the work of others.

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or related field.

5 years of relevant experience.

Additional Information

Expert level knowledge of supporting VMWare Horizon Enterprise VDI environments is required;

Expert level knowledge deploying and supporting Windows Server 2012 / 2016, Windows 10, and associated technologies is essential for success in this role;

Experience with Teradici PC-over-IP, VMWare Blast Extreme, or similar technologies is an asset;

Experience with deploying NVidia vGPU technology in a VMWare VDI environment is an asset;

Experience working in high security IT environments is highly desirable;

Familiarity with STATA and SAS software is an asset;

Previous experience working with Tivoli clients is an asset.

The successful applicant must be eligible to hold “Deemed Employee” status with Statistics Canada.

Canadian Research Data Centre Network

Job opportunity with the CRDCN: Senior Research Computing Specialist

Posted on: November 15, 2018

CRDCN’s Gibson published in FACETS journal

CRDCN Announces Revised Fee Structure for Data Access

CPP & GRI issues call for abstracts

Job opportunity with the CRDCN: Senior Research Computing Specialist

Posted on: November 15, 2018

Related News

CRDCN’s Gibson published in FACETS journal

CRDCN Announces Revised Fee Structure for Data Access

CPP & GRI issues call for abstracts