Research Software and Data Engineer

Founded in 1856, University of Maryland, College Park is the state’s flagship institution. Our 1,250-acre College Park campus is just minutes away from Washington, D.C., and the nexus of the nation’s legislative, executive, and judicial centers of power. This unique proximity to business and technology leaders, federal departments and agencies, and a myriad of research entities, embassies, think tanks, cultural centers, and non-profit organizations is simply unparalleled. Synergistic opportunities for our faculty and students abound and are virtually limitless in the nation’s capital and surrounding areas. The University is committed to attracting and retaining outstanding and diverse faculty and staff that will enhance our stature of preeminence in our three missions of teaching, scholarship, and full engagement in our community, the state of Maryland, and in the world.

Offers of employment are contingent on completion of a background check. Information reported by the background check will not automatically disqualify you from employment.

Position Summary/Purpose of Position:

The Research Computing team, part of the Advanced Cyber Infrastructure and Internet Global Services (ACIGS) unit, designs and supports advanced technology systems and services used by researchers at UMD – a top 20 public research institution.

The Research Software and Data Engineer will play a key role in designing, implementing, and supporting research cyberinfrastructure, software, and data facing solutions. This position is part of an initiative to expand support for Security, Privacy, Assessment, Risk, and Compliance services.

The Research Software and Data Engineer will work with researchers day-to-day to design, plan, and implement secure, compliant, and well-engineered applications, software, data workflows, and data science focused solutions that enrich research productivity, reliability, and reproducibility. They will be part of short- to long-term projects, support university research applications, e.g., LabVIEW, MATLAB, Mathematica, etc., and offer a wide range of related workshops/training. The work will also include assisting with data management plans, and creating project specific as well as general support documentation. The engineer will follow good coding practices (sprints, code reviews, testing), and bring a mature project management aspect to research software work on campus, helping to define work breakdowns and timelines and use tools like code repositories and issue trackers.

This engineer will work closely with cross-functional teams on issues related to security, privacy, risk management, and compliance. Working with SPARCS analysts, the engineer will collaboratively design technology solutions for unique research needs and help researchers navigate the tools, processes, and services needed through the entire research data lifecycle.

The Research Software and Data Engineer should have a thorough knowledge of the research software lifecycle and software engineering practices, data science methods, and be able to communicate technical and non-technical information successfully. The engineer will have had exposure to data privacy, IT security, and compliance topics specific to higher education.

As a Research Computing team member, they will provide technical expertise and insight to teams and projects alongside research programs, collaborate across multiple units in the Division of IT and the university, and influence research technology practices in higher education nationally. This position is considered an essential position and may be required to work at the normal work location or an alternative location during a major catastrophic event, weather emergency, or other operational emergencies to help maintain continuity of University services.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.

Experience:

• One to four years experience supporting research computing systems and software or working in software and data engineering environments.
• Additional work experience as defined above may be substituted on a year for year basis for up to four (4) years of the required education.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

• Software Engineering: Experience using software engineering best practices and tools (sprints, code review, using code repositories, using issue trackers).
• Data Science: experience working in roles or on projects that required data science techniques.
• Experience designing and implementing computing infrastructure (selecting system components such as CPU, GPU, storage).
• Basic knowledge of network and security protocols, policies, and standards.
• Skilled with modern languages such as Python, R, or C++, and Linux command line.
• Cybersecurity: knowledge of IT security techniques and controls for protecting data confidentiality; knowledge of Secure by Design concepts.
• Communication Skills: Able to communicate effectively to large and small audiences of technical and non-technical stakeholders.

Preferences:

• Proficient in developing research-focused software applications using secure and modern software development tools and practices.
• Demonstrated success in system administration and IT infrastructure design, implementation, and operations.
• Experience with developing data analysis and/or data management pipelines in high-level scripting languages.
• Experience with the management or coordination of research software development projects, particularly in an open source/community context.
• Strong understanding of network and security protocols, policies, and standards.
• Familiarity with building and supporting Science Gateways.
• Proficiency with creating and using software containers (with, e.g., Docker, Singularity, or a similar tool), and/or creating workflows using these tools.
• Developing and optimizing software for use on GPUs in either a compiled or interpreted programming language (using, e.g., CUDA, PyCUDA, SYCL, Kokkos, OpenACC).
• Knowledge of Chapel, Julia programming languages.
• Experience using machine learning and/or artificial intelligence techniques to solve scientific problems.
• Experience with research proposal development and/or coordination.
• Experience implementing/operating with controls for NIST SP 800-171, HIPAA Security and Privacy rules, or similar levels of security and compliance.

This position does not provide sponsorship for Visas.

Job Risks

Job Risks Not Applicable to This Position

Physical Demands

• Sedentary work.
• Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects.
• Repetitive motion. Substantial movements (motions) of the wrists, hands, and/or fingers.
• The worker is required to have close visual acuity to perform an activity such as: preparing and analyzing data and figures; transcribing; viewing a computer terminal; extensive reading.
• Must be able to attend meetings on campus.
• Some evening and weekend work might be required.
• This position is considered an essential position and may be required to work at the normal work location or an alternative location during a major catastrophic event, weather emergency, or other operational emergencies to help maintain continuity of University services.

Posting Date: 08/06/2024

Closing Date: Open Until Filled

Best Consideration Date: 08/27/2024

Diversity Statement:

The University of Maryland, College Park, an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws and regulations regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action; all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment. The University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, physical or mental disability, protected veteran status, age, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, creed, marital status, political affiliation, personal appearance, or on the basis of rights secured by the First Amendment, in all aspects of employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions.

Required Documents:

• Resume
• Cover Letter
• List of References (no emails sent from system)

Optional Documents: Posting Specific Questions:

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

• * Are you willing to serve as an Essential employee?
  • Yes
  • No
• * Will you now or in the future require sponsorship for employment visa status?
  • Yes
  • No
• * Are you available to work occasional evenings and weekends as needed?
  • Yes
  • No
• * How did you hear about this position?
  • LinkedIn
  • UMD Job Site
  • Personal Referral
  • Washington Post
  • Baltimore Sun
  • Local Publication
  • Chronicle of Higher Education
  • Inside Higher Education
  • INDEED
  • HERC
  • Hispanic Outlook
  • Diverse Jobs
  • HigherEdJobs
  • Professional Journal
  • Listserv
  • Other
  • SimplyHired
  • CareerBliss
  • Job Fairs
  • Monster.Com
  • Craigslist
  • UMD Job Fair
  • CareerBuilder

1100 Chesapeake Bldg
University of Maryland
College Park, MD 20742

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