Research Computing Specialist

**Schedule**
Monday - Friday, 8:30am - 4:30pm

**Education Level**
Bachelor's Degree

**Career Level**
Requires 5 years of relevant experience
- Should the successful applicant be a Unifor Unit 1 bargaining unit member, who meets the eligibility conditions of Article 19.02 of the Unifor Unit 1 Collective Agreement, then the Limited Term Assignment will be defined as a Career Growth Opportunity in accordance with Article 19 of the Unifor Local 5555 Unit 1 Collective Agreement._

**_ Position Overview:_**

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.

The Research Computing Specialist provides specialized working knowledge in system administration, computer security, network architecture, and programming to support high-performance and research computing. Plans, coordinates and implements project assignments in the design, development and implementation of information technology solutions for research.

**Duties & Responsibilities**:

- Design and implement multi-system services such as workgroup servers, data backup architecture.
- Design 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 moderately complex computer code using various computing and scripting languages.
- Implement new technologies within existing infrastructure, and solve problems in creating and adapting research
- Monitor and analyze system and network logs for anomalous activity 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.
- Analyze system logs and performance metrics for use in tuning the performance of servers, workstations, and
- networks.
- Complete various analyses and statistical calculations pertaining to system loads, network loads, and capacity
- forecasts.
- 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 moderately complex computation facilities, ensuring adequate power supply, cooling systems, and backup
- systems.
- Write moderately complex 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.
- Create data-protection and data-continuity procedures.
- Negotiate hardware and software purchases with vendors.
- Provide advice to researchers on available technologies and how various technologies might affect their work.
- Provide support to end users to help solve design and coding issues.
- Source various hardware and software.
- 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.
- Install and maintain operating systems.
- Keep accurate records of work performed.
- Remain current with frequent changes in applicable technologies.

**_ Supervision: _**
- Provide direction to others in how to carry out work tasks.
- Ensure adherence to quality standards and procedures for short-term staff and volunteers.

**_ Qualifications:_**
- Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or related field.
- Requires 5 years of relevant experience

**_ What we offer: _**
- In addition to joining a top ranked university, McMaster offers a very competitive total compensation package that includes but is not limited to:_
- _Employer Paid benefits such as Extended Health, Dental, Emergency Out-of-Country Travel Coverage & Basic Life Insurance,_
- _Participation in a Registered Retirement Saving Plan (RRSP),_
- _Training, coaching and professional development opportunities,_
- _Employee tuition assistance for continuous development and education,_
- _Opportunity to be a part of an academic environment working alongside professionals who share a passion for learning, and_
- _Progressive paid annual vacation plan._**How To Apply**

**Employment Equity Statement**

McMaster University is located on the traditional terri