Job Description

Job Summary 

We are seeking candidates for a Senior Research Computing Specialist position to join the Research Computing team within the Research and High-Performance Computing Support (RHPCS) unit. As part of the Office of the Vice-President, Research, RHPCS supports the high-performance and advanced research computing needs of McMaster’s diverse research community.

The Research Computing team provides computational and digital research infrastructure solutions for McMaster’s researchers and research facilities. Under the guidance of the Technical Director and supported by other Senior Research Computing Specialists, you will have opportunities to provide advanced computing platforms and services to researchers from all disciplines.

You will be responsible for site planning and configuration, specifying, acquiring, installing, commissioning and administering hardware and software systems, managing users and usage, hardware and software installation and administration, user management, integration with desktop systems, recommending hardware configurations, and acquiring vendor quotation for research grant applications.

You are a strong and collaborative communicator who has comprehensive knowledge of Linux/Unix, Win/MacOS/Unix inter-operability, and TCP/IP. You have an advanced understanding of and proficiency in complex networked environments and protocols, system configuration, storage solutions, backup operations and recovery technologies, servers, and virtualization infrastructure (in particular, QEMU, KVM, libvirt). A basic understanding of and familiarity with electrical power systems, as well as good mechanical skills are assets in this position.

You have extensive experience working with research users in a university or similar research-intensive environment by supporting and coordinating research computing use. Through your mature analytical, organizational and diligence, you will collaborate with researchers, members of IT, and other units at the University to develop, implement and administer computational and digital research infrastructure solutions. Given that this role requires close collaboration with several units on campus, you have demonstrated the ability to work as part of a team and with diverse groups.

What you can expect working as a Research Computing Specialist at RHPCS 

RHPCS delivers a wide range of services, including data storage, backup, visualization and analysis programming, advanced research computing support, research software engineering and programming, web survey implementation, support with funding applications, strategic planning, and more. RHPCS works with multiple groups to provide comprehensive computing support to the McMaster community.

This is an exciting opportunity to join a dynamic, client-focused team that provides:

• A supportive and collaborative environment
• Colleagues with a wide variety of backgrounds
• Exposure to a diversity of interesting systems, technologies and problems
• Opportunities to seize new challenges arising from unique client requests and projects

What you can expect from working at McMaster University 

Working at McMaster University brings a robust total rewards package. The elements and structure of the total rewards packages vary by employee group. The chart below summarizes the total rewards provisions for Unifor, Local 5555, Unit 1. Please see Total Rewards Overview for Unifor, Local 5555, Unit 1 for more information.

McMaster University is principally sited on a compact, pretty campus in west Hamilton, bounded by residential neighbourhoods, some commercial development and by the Cootes Paradise wetland of the Royal Botanical Gardens. It is possible to live within easy walking or cycling distance of the campus.