Position Summary

Michigan State University's Institute for Cyber-Enabled Research (MSU ICER) is looking for a Research Computing Facilitator to support researchers in using advanced computing and data systems and software to perform cutting-edge research across a broad range of disciplines. This facilitation includes direct user support as well as broader participation in project development and research activities. The core duties and responsibilities in this role include:

• Engaging and collaborating with students and faculty who use (or plan to use) advanced computational resources in their research, including MSU's High Performance Computing Center (HPCC), NSF ACCESS resources, high-throughput computing, and cloud computing.
• Supporting MSU HPCC users through one-on-one and small-group interactions, through the HPCC Help Desk, and via Zoom or in-person office hours.
• Collaborating with MSU researchers to develop proposals, papers, public datasets, and open-source software to conduct and disseminate research. This may include extended collaborative support efforts as well as performing research.
• Developing, implementing, and refining training materials relating to research computing and research data through synchronous and asynchronous workshops, web-based tutorials, and documentation.
• Engaging with the broader national research computing effort through participation in workshops, conferences, and training and networking activities.

Research Computing Facilitators typically work with researchers both in person and remotely, and ICER works in a hybrid (partially in-person) work environment.

SALARY STATEMENT: Commensurate with qualifications and experience but anticipated to be $70K-$85K.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability or protected veteran status.

Required Degree

Doctorate

Minimum Requirements

• A graduate degree in any field that included a significant research computing component.
• Research experience that includes the application of advanced computing to solve research problems.
• Strong technical and problem-solving skills, including Linux command line experience and programming experience with a modern language such as R, Python, or C++.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.

Desired Qualifications

In addition to the required qualifications, it is desired that a successful applicant would have one or more of the following qualifications:

Experience in developing research-focused software applications, particularly using modern software development tools such as version control and continuous integration.

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.

Experience using machine learning and/or artificial intelligence techniques to solve scientific problems (including, e.g., the use of common tools such as PyTorch, TensorFlow, Keras, scikit-learn, Hugging Face).

Experience 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).

Training in, or professional experience contributing toward, the development of skills such as research facilitation, conflict negotiation, communication, teamwork, leadership, and/or project ma