DGP Research Computing Support Specialist

A job description is available upon request Date Posted: 12/22/2025Req ID: 46499Faculty/Division: Faculty of Arts & ScienceDepartment: Dept of Computer ScienceCampus: St. George (Downtown Toronto)Position Number: 00028164Existing Vacancy: Yes Description:About us:The Faculty of Arts & Science is the heart of Canada’s leading university and one of the most comprehensive and diverse academic divisions in the world. The strength of Arts & Science derives from our combined teaching and research excellence in the humanities, sciences and social sciences across 29 departments, seven colleges and 46 interdisciplinary centres, institutes and programs. We can only realize our mission with the dedication and excellence of engaged staff and faculty. The diversity of opportunities and perspectives within the Faculty reflect the local and global landscape and the need for curiosity, innovative thinking and collaboration. At Arts & Science, we take pride in our legacy of innovation and discovery that has changed the way we think about the world. Your opportunity:The Dynamic Graphics Project (DGP) laboratory is the primary computer graphics, computational imaging, and human-computer interaction research laboratory for the Department of Computer Science. Under the general direction of the DGP Director, the DGP Research Computing Support Specialist incumbent will provide research computing support, computer system administration, network administration and high-level research technical support services directly for specific Computer Science research groups. The incumbent will assume the responsibility of a project leader for highly complex and highly technical IT projects for the research group(s) by providing technical leadership, system expertise, and support to the project. As the project leader, the incumbent will be responsible for monitoring the project from conception to completion. Responsibilities will include addressing timelines, tracking resources, managing tasks, selecting technology, establishing milestones, assigning responsibilities, and monitoring and communicating project status. Moreover, for the research groups served, the incumbent will analyze and troubleshoot highly complex and technical Computer Science IT problems and recommend technical solutions; write, modify, and correct computer software programs and scripts; operate, debug, maintain, repair, modify, test, and document computer systems, networks, equipment, hardware and software; design unique configurations of computers; and plan, evaluate, design, specify, install, implement, and configure new highly complex and technical computer systems, networks, equipment, hardware, and software.Duties include: operating, analyzing, debugging, maintaining, modifying, upgrading and testing existing DGP Linux, Microsoft Windows, and other computer networks, compute/storage servers, workstations, printers, and software; and planning, evaluating, designing, specifying, installing, implementing, and configuring new systems, workstations, and software as required; operating, analyzing, installing, maintaining, modifying, and testing various specialized equipment in the lab, including but not limited to: multi-camera optical motion capture systems, 2D and 3D laser scanners, video-conferencing equipment, and makerspace equipment (e.g., soldering irons, 3D printers); assisting in evaluating, specifying, installing, implementing, and configuring new equipment as required; monitoring systems for problems, determining required course of action and implementing solutions; coordinating, monitoring and implementing the ordering and tracking of all equipment and supplies in the lab; writing technical documentation as required; supporting and advising DGP lab members in their use of all lab equipment; assisting DGP lab members with technical aspects of their research projects; taking on specific systems and technical administration projects as assigned; and assisting in the general ongoing operation of the lab. Your responsibilities will include: Planning and implementing IT systems independently Analyzing, troubleshooting and testing highly complex systems Designing, testing, and modifying programming code Analyzing, recommending and designing internal network solutions to meet client needs Analyzing business and operational requirements to plan the implementation of new IT systems Keeping well-informed on current technologies, best practices and industry standards Leading and planning IT projects Serving as a resource on specific issues to a group of specialists Essential Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in computer science, computer engineering or related discipline, and/or acceptable equivalent combination of education and experience, including project management courses/experience. Five (5) years of recent system administration experience in a highly technical and complex heterogeneous IT environment, developing academic computing solutions preferably for a computing academic discipline. At least three of those years must be in a UNIX/Linux system administration role. Experience analyzing and troubleshooting complex IT & system problems. Experience writing, modifying, and correcting scripts on Linux/Unix platform(s). Demonstrated leadership skills with experience providing project leadership, including technical leadership, system expertise, and support to other technical staff projects. Experience collaborating on IT purchase recommendations and independently costing IT projects. Exposure to a research environment; experience with one or more of multi-camera optical motion capture systems, 2D and 3D laser scanners, video-conferencing equipment, and makerspace equipment (e.g., soldering irons, 3D printers); experience in computer security; and experience in integrating MS Windows with Linux and/or UNIX, are all highly desirable Excellent verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to deal with people in a tactful and effective manner and the ability to communicate with both technical and non-technical people at their own level, explaining possibly complex technical concepts to a wide variety of non-technical users. Good problem-solving skills, detail-oriented. Demonstrated aptitude to quickly learn and become proficient with new technical equipment, such as audio-visual equipment, electronics prototyping, and 2D and 3D printing. Proven ability to provide expert technical resources to others. Clear and demonstrated ability to design, plan, analyze and improve systems, follow good system administration discipline and practice, and operationalize sustainable processes to meet the goals and mission of the research group(s) served. Ability to lift/move desktop and server computer equipment. Ability to work independently, or as part of a team. Must maintain broad technical knowledge, and be able to adapt as needed in a highly dynamic, research-intensive Computer Science environment. Significant responsibility and reliability under pressure are required. To be successful in this role you will be: Communicator Insightful Multi-tasker Organized Proactive Problem solver This role may be eligible for an Alternative Work Arrangement in accordance with the University of Toronto's Alternative Work Arrangements Guideline. Closing Date: 01/12/2026, 11:59PM ETEmployee Group: USW Appointment Type: Budget - Continuing Schedule: Full-TimePay Scale Group & Hiring Zone: USW Pay Band 17 -- $109,761. with an annual step progression to a maximum of $140,365. Pay scale and job class assignment is subject to determination pursuant to the Job Evaluation/Pay Equity Maintenance Protocol. Job Category: Information Technology (IT) Lived Experience StatementCandidates who are members of Indigenous, Black, racialized and 2SLGBTQ+ communities, persons with disabilities, and other equity deserving groups are encouraged to apply, and their lived experience shall be taken into consideration as applicable to the posted position.