Research Computing Consultant

About Stanford Research Computing

Stanford Research Computing (SRC) is looking for a Researcher-facing Computational Specialist to join our team of collaborative and innovative professionals assisting Stanford’s faculty and students to use research computing and data tools to explore new frontiers in knowledge and solve some of humanity’s most urgent problems.

Our staff work directly with some of the world's top researchers in a broad range of disciplines, across all of Stanford’s seven schools — while also supporting and learning from each other in cross-project endeavors. We maintain and steadily improve an advanced research computing facility, and we support a variety of environments for Stanford research. In Stanford Research Computing, you’ll have a rare opportunity to contribute to discoveries and inventions that have global reach and positive impact, and to share in the curiosity and commitment of the scholars and scientists who lead these projects.

Role Overview

This Research Computing Consultant position will engage researchers in the use of a broad set of state-of-the-art research computing and data (aka Cyberinfrastructure) systems, tools, and software to enable research productivity. This role will focus primarily on providing ongoing support to researchers in environments appropriate for working with high risk, regulated data at Stanford, including onboarding, user inquiries, and other consultations. Be aware of chosen technical solutions and support needs for computing environments at all risk levels within SRC.

In addition to contributing to the development and delivery of learning opportunities to Stanford researchers, including workshops, classes and technical documentation, the individual in this role will also support internal efforts to provide services that meet the needs of Stanford's research community. When needed, participate in and occasionally lead the development of solutions (technical or non-technical) to optimize researchers’ use of advanced research computing and data systems and services. Collaborate with a diverse group of researchers, faculty, students, and staff to assist in the selection, development of, or integration of innovative technical solutions into research projects to resolve novel research questions.

Core Duties

• Provide support for Stanford Research Computing's computing clusters and storage services, cloud computing, and national resources (such as ACCESS) through tickets and meetings with researchers, with a focus on high risk, regulated data environments and services.
• Connect with research teams to discuss their computational challenges and requirements and guide the teams around the use of a broad set of state-of-the-art cyberinfrastructure systems, tools, and software.
• Collect needs and feedback from researchers and provide regular communications of researcher interest to the systems and software/data professionals within SRC, working closely with SRC technical staff to assess, address, and solve challenges researchers encounter when using SRC systems and services.
• Attend training sessions, meetings and conferences to gain and share knowledge in the field. Develop one’s own learning with full awareness of the local research computing and data landscape and its evolution.
• Work closely with technical service owners to continuously optimize the offerings. Represent the team at internal meetings as requested.
• Help develop and deliver research community learning opportunities, including the delivery of workshops, courses, the creation of videos and other learning collateral, as well as creating and enhancing technical documentation.
• Partner with team members to create quarterly training schedules, collaboratively develop materials, and lead training sessions focused on routine use of Stanford cyberinfrastructure services for researchers.

Minimum Requirements

Education & Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree and 5-7 years of experience in computational methods, tools and systems or a Master’s degree in computer science, data science, statistics, or a related field and 3-5 years of relevant experience, or combination of education and relevant experience.

Must Have Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• High level of proficiency in Linux environments.
• Experience working in regulated or high-risk data environments (e.g., HIPAA, NIST, IRB-governed research) and implementing compliant technical solutions.
• Working knowledge in data science and machine learning methodologies and tools.
• Familiarity with Linux filesystem concepts (quotas, ownership, permissions, ACLs).
• Strong programming skills in Python.
• Strong and demonstrated experience with scientific coding/scripting, preferably in Python, R, Fortran, C++ and various shells.
• Experience with research software written in one or more of these: Matlab, R, Julia, Stata.
• Ability to develop and deploy full-stack applications and API integrations for a research setting.
• Experience installing and debugging installations of complex scientific applications and associated dependencies.
• Demonstrated expertise preferred in creating and debugging application containers and scientific workflows in a cluster computing or cloud-based advanced analysis environment.
• Proficient in debugging SLURM errors associated with complex jobs and recommending solutions.
• Working knowledge of OpenMP, MPI or other parallel processing approaches sufficient to advise on SLURM submissions and basic debugging techniques.
• Experience with data processing at scale, and an understanding of which tools are appropriate at which times.
• Familiarity with text and image processing techniques (OCR, NLP, regex, image classification).
• Excellent problem-solving capabilities and creativity in developing bespoke solutions.
• Service-oriented and empathetic.
• Strong interpersonal skills for effective collaboration with a diverse group of stakeholders.
• Effective communication skills, including written, oral, and presentation skills.
• Ability to communicate to a non-technical audience.
• Must be comfortable working with senior researchers.
• Commitment to continuous learning to understand the latest technologies and research methodologies including research computing.
• Demonstrated ability to work and collaborate with others across the workgroup, the organization, and user community; ability to prioritize tasks and manage time effectively; and strong interpersonal and communication skills for effective collaboration with a diverse group of colleagues and stakeholders.
• Understand and abide by all institutional, statutory, regulatory and/or client security and Stanford operational policies.

Nice To Have:

• Some familiarity with different tiers of data storage systems and data movement tools.

Certifications and Licenses: None

Physical Requirements*

Frequently perform desk-based computer tasks, seated work, use a telephone and use light/ fine grasping. Occasionally write by hand, lift, carry, push/pull objects that weigh up to 10 pounds. Rarely stand, walk, sort, and file paperwork or parts. Consistent with its obligations under the law, the University will provide reasonable accommodation to any employee with a disability who requires accommodation to perform the essential functions of the job.

Working Conditions

May require occasional extended hours.

Work Standards

Interpersonal Skills: Demonstrates the ability to work well with Stanford colleagues and clients and with external organizations. Promote Culture of Safety: Demonstrates commitment to personal responsibility and value for safety; communicates safety concerns; uses and promotes safe behaviors based on training and lessons learned. Subject to and expected to comply with all applicable University policies and procedures, including but not limited to the personnel policies and other policies found in the University’s Administrative Guide, http://adminguide.stanford.edu.

Key skills/competency

• Research Computing
• Computational Methods
• Data Science
• Linux Environments
• Regulated Data (HIPAA, NIST)
• Python Programming
• Scientific Computing
• Cluster Computing (SLURM)
• Parallel Processing (MPI, OpenMP)
• Problem-Solving