Job Information
University of Utah Director of Research Computing and Data in Salt Lake City, Utah
Details
Open Date 11/19/2024
Requisition Number PRN40358B
Job Title Director IT
Working Title Director of Research Computing and Data
Job Grade I
FLSA Code Executive
Patient Sensitive Job Code? No
Standard Hours per Week 40
Full Time or Part Time? Full Time
Shift Day
Work Schedule Summary
VP Area Academic Affairs
Department 00810 - Scient Comp & Imag Instit-Oper
Location Campus
City Salt Lake City, UT
Type of Recruitment External Posting
Pay Rate Range 103700 to 202300
Close Date 10/31/2025
Priority Review Date
Job Summary
The Director of Research Computing and Data will assume a pivotal role at the University of Utah. This position will lead the strategic direction in research computing and data to support and advance the University’s pioneering computational and data-enabled research (both open and protected). The Director of Research Computing and Data will provide visionary leadership, experience, strategic direction, and execution guidance to shape the future research computing and data cyberinfrastructure across the University of Utah. They will provide resource and budget planning, faculty support, and expertise in the research computing and data. The Director of Research Computing and Data will be a strategic thinker with an open and collaborative style who fosters teamwork, sustains a learning environment for growing number of staff and develops an open, engaged culture that engenders trust from the broader university-wide research community.
About the Scientific Computing and Imaging ( SCI ) Institute
Over three decades, the SCI Institute has established itself as an internationally recognized, transdisciplinary research institute with an overarching mission to transform science and society through translational research and innovation across computational, data science and their applications. SCI , a roughly 200-person university-wide institute, brings together excellence in diverse domains with core strengths in visualization, graphics and imaging, advanced computing and data management and analytics, and scalable algorithms with applications to multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary problems of societal importance. The Institute accomplishes its goals through the collaborative development, assembly, and/or application of applied scientific and data computing, imaging, and visualization tools. Researchers at the SCI Institute also collaborate closely with scientists around the world to develop new techniques and explore new challenges. The SCI Institute is proud to have supported over 400 graduate students and postdoctoral fellows and nearly 100 undergraduates to achieve an education at the cutting-edge of research. SCI graduates move into faculty positions with universities internationally and become innovators with leading companies. Additional information about the Institute and current faculty can be found at http://www.sci.utah.edu.
About the VPR
The Vice President for Research ( VPR ) Office at the University of Utah is a dynamic hub for innovation and discovery. As an R1 institution recognized for very high research activity, the University of Utah leads groundbreaking research that impacts both local and global communities. The VPR Office collaborates with researchers, drives interdisciplinary initiatives, and fosters a culture of discovery. Key responsibilities include strategic leadership, shared IT services, and research enablement.
About the University of Utah
Located in Salt Lake City, the U is the flagship institution of the State of Utah’s system of higher education, home to arts and museum venues and a member of the Big 12 Conference. Skiing and snowboarding opportunities are a short distance from campus, and opportunities to pursue activities from biking to hiking to fishing abound. Salt Lake City is home to the Utah Symphony and Opera, Ballet West, professional sports teams, and a wide range of other cultural and recreational activities.
Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership: Leads teams in development and implementation of research computing and data strategies for university-wide cyberinfrastructure and governance aligned with the University’s mission and vision. Communicates needs and directions with senior leadership and faculty. Support University-wide strategic initiatives such as the One-U Responsible AI Initiative (https://rai.utah.edu/) and the One-U Data Science Hub (https://www.research.utah.edu/one-utah-data-science-hub/).
Information Security: Ensures data protection and oversees the University’s enclaves. Manages cybersecurity maturity model certification ( CMMC ) assessments and certifications.
Budget Management: Develop and manage the research computing and data budget, evaluate cost models, and optimize spending.
Sustainability: Develop models and strategies for sustainability, including responding to state, federal and other funding opportunities.
Resource Management: Coordinate the acquisition/development, deployment, and operations of the University’s state-of-the-art research computational and data infrastructure and associated services. Provide robust flexible and scalable research computing and data environments.
Data Management and Sharing: Support compliance with cyberinfrastructure-related requirements from funding agencies (e.g., data management and sharing plans). Lead university-wide cyberinfrastructure coordination, resource/data integration and sharing, and collaboration.
Collaboration and Partnerships: Engage with faculty, research centers, and external partners, including industry, at the state, regional, and national level. Foster cross-disciplinary collaboration that leverage computational and data resources for research.
Integration: Facilitate seamless integrations with on-premises and cloud-based research computing and data solutions. Partner with and connect to the national cyberinfrastructure ecosystem.
Technological Advancements: Identify opportunities for growth and pursue novel technologies, architectures, and services for research computing and data that can enhance research and provide researchers with competitive advantages.
User Support and Training: Develop scalable onboarding and support structures for researchers and students, including scientific consultation, and lead training, outreach and engagement.
Policy and Governance: Develop and enforce governance processes, policies, and standards with support of a governance committee. Ensure compliance with relevant regulations.
Expertise: Complement existing research computing and data (and cyberinfrastructure) expertise t the university.
This job description is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required of employees assigned to the job.
Work Environment and Level of Frequency typically required
Nearly Continuously: Office environment.
Physical Requirements and Level of Frequency that may be required
Nearly Continuously: Sitting, hearing, listening, talking.
Often: Repetitive hand motion (such as typing), walking.
Seldom: Bending, reaching overhead
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in related computer science, Business Administration, or related area, or equivalency (one year of education can be substituted for two years of related work experience); eight years of progressively more responsible management experience; and demonstrated leadership, human relations and effective communications skills required.
Applicants must demonstrate the potential ability to perform the essential functions of the job as outlined in the position description.
Preferences
10-12 years of related experience
Ph.D in a topic related to research computing
Type Benefited Staff
Special Instructions Summary
Additional Information
The University is a participating employer with Utah Retirement Systems (“URS”). Eligible new hires with prior URS service, may elect to enroll in URS if they make the election before they become eligible for retirement (usually the first day of work). Contact Human Resources at (801) 581-7447 for information. Individuals who previously retired and are receiving monthly retirement benefits from URS are subject to URS’ post-retirement rules and restrictions. Please contact Utah Retirement Systems at (801) 366-7770 or (800) 695-4877 or University Human Resource Management at (801) 581-7447 if you have questions regarding the post-retirement rules.
This position may require the successful completion of a criminal background check and/or drug screen.
The University of Utah values candidates who have experience working in settings with students and patients from all backgrounds and possess a strong commitment to improving access to higher education and quality healthcare for historically underrepresented students and patients.
All qualified individuals are strongly encouraged to apply. Veterans’ preference is extended to qualified applicants, upon request and consistent with University policy and Utah state law. Upon request, reasonable accommodations in the application process will be provided to individuals with disabilities.
The University of Utah is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer and does not discriminate based upon race, ethnicity, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, or protected veteran’s status. The University does not discriminate on the basis of sex in the education program or activity that it operates, as required by Title IX and 34 CFR part 106. The requirement not to discriminate in education programs or activities extends to admission and employment. Inquiries about the application of Title IX and its regulations may be referred to the Title IX Coordinator, to the Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, or both.
To request a reasonable accommodation for a disability or if you or someone you know has experienced discrimination or sexual misconduct including sexual harassment, you may contact the Director/Title IX Coordinator in the Office of Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action ( OEO /AA). More information, including the Director/Title IX Coordinator’s office address, electronic mail address, and telephone number can be located at: https://www.utah.edu/nondiscrimination/
Online reports may be submitted at oeo.utah.edu
https://safety.utah.edu/safetyreport This report includes statistics about criminal offenses, hate crimes, arrests and referrals for disciplinary action, and Violence Against Women Act offenses. They also provide information about safety and security-related services offered by the University of Utah. A paper copy can be obtained by request at the Department of Public Safety located at 1658 East 500 South.