Director, Center for Research Computing at Rice University in Houston, Texas

Job Description:

Special Instructions to Applicants: All interested applicants should attach a cover letter and a resume in the Supporting Documents section of the application. We suggest the documents be in a PDF format to avoid formatting issues.

Rice University

Boasting a 300-acre, tree-lined campus in the heart of Houston, Rice University is consistently ranked among the nation's top 20 universities by U.S. News & World Report. We are more than a place of academic excellence and pioneering research-Rice is a vibrant and welcoming community where every faculty, staff, and student is valued and empowered to grow.

Rice is committing to unparalleled excellence as we work to become the premier university in the world for teaching and research. We won't do it like any other institution. We will do it with humanity for the good of humankind. We will do it on a personalized scale as only Rice can.

The Rice Experience is our excellence and our culture of care - the close interactions between faculty and students, the interdisciplinary connectedness of our fields of study, the commitment and ownership to Rice and our community. Learn more about Rice University's newly launched ten-year strategic plan Momentous .

At Rice, we share a set of core values-Responsibility, Integrity, Community, and Excellence-that shape our culture and guide how we engage with one another and the world around us. These values define our commitment to fostering an inclusive environment where diversity is embraced, creativity is nurtured, and personal and professional growth is supported.

Join us in building a community where every voice matters and every contribution is celebrated. Here, your work will have a meaningful impact, and you will be part of something extraordinary. Rice is seeking a dynamic, forward-thinking leader to join us as the Director of the Center for Research Computing.

Rice University Office of Information Technology (OIT)

OIT will provide excellent constituent service, acting as a strategic partner to advance Rice University's priorities and mission of "path breaking research, unsurpassed teaching, and contribution to the betterment of our world".

IT will fuel innovation at speed across the university by building a culture of trust, using an effective and service-focused operating model, driving seamless experiences, and providing core IT capabilities.

The Center for Research Computing

The Center for Research Computing (CRC), within the Office of IT, enables faculty and researchers to effectively use on and off-premises resources and services, including (1) shared high-performance computing systems, (2) VM and cloud computing, (3) data storage infrastructure, (4) secure research systems, (5) a wide range of scientific instruments, and (6) broader cyberinfrastructure and services. The CRC currently manages three HPC systems (a general-purpose HPC / HTC cluster and 2 small GPU clusters), as well as three research data storage services. In addition to HPC and storage, CRC service areas include: Facilitation & Training; Data Analytics, Mapping & Visualization; Research Systems & Endpoint Management; Cloud for Research; and Proposal Support.

Position Summary:

The Director of the Center for Research Computing (CRC) will lead a multi-year growth plan that includes expansion of infrastructure and development of new services to advance data-enabled, world class research. Leading a vibrant and collegial staff, you will foster a culture that embraces learning, team practices, and continuous improvement and prioritizes constituent engagement. The CRC endeavors to support democratization of access to research technologies through facilitated provisioning of advanced computing and data resources. Reporting to the Associate VP for Research Computing, you will contribute to strategic planning, oversee the Center's monthly and annual reporting, assist with the development of the annual budget request, and develop and maintain internal and external partnerships that support the University mission.

Along with the AVP for Research computing, you will collaborate with the pertinent governance groups to develop and implement policies and processes related to access and use of the CRC-managed resources. As part of the Senior Leadership Team (SLT) in the Office of IT, you will be responsible for translating high-level IT strategies into actionable plans, overseeing their implementation, and driving the achievement of organizational objectives. Working with colleagues to execute our OIT Roadmap, you will support and guide the CRC staff to develop and implement annual plans and oversee hiring and talent development. This role is pivotal in advancing research excellence, attracting funding, and positioning Rice University as premier leader in research computing.

The successful candidate will have a minimum of 5 years of experience leading teams in one or more research computing organizations, and advanced knowledge of the use and management of cyberinfrastructure systems and current challenges in universities and/or research laboratories; a deep understanding of technical computing, software, and storage practices for universities that includes both open and secure research. The Director will strategize tactically and creatively, have excellent communication skills, have previous success in leading grant proposals and funded awards, and proven ability to establish and maintain working relationships with researchers, technical staff, institutional executives, and external agencies and organizations.

Why You'll Love Working Here:

At Rice University, we believe in the power of people. As the Director of the Center for Research Computing you'll have the opportunity to shape a positive and thriving campus climate, influence institutional strategy, and leave a legacy of growth, belonging, and excellence. Join us as we continue to create a dynamic, diverse, and supportive community.

Workplace Requirements

This position is primarily on-site, necessitating duties be performed in-person at the University. Per Rice policy 440 , arrangements may be subject to change and remote work or work-from-home will be available according to agreement with the supervisor.

This is a full-time, benefits-eligible position, and the salary is contingent on experience and qualifications. *Exempt (salaried) positions under FLSA are not eligible for overtime.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree
• 5+ years' experience in successive leadership roles in academic research computing
• Skills
  
  
  • Strong leadership and strategic management skills
  • Strong written and oral communication skills
  • Strong time management and prioritization skills
  • Strong problem-solving skills
  • Strong project management and organizational skills
  • Depth of knowledge in technical discipline/domain needed to deliver projects
  
  

OIT Competency Expectations

Trust Building and Stakeholder Engagement

• Foster trust across the campus by being transparent, reliable, consistent, and solution-oriented in communication and execution. Ensure clear, consistent, and timely communication with all constituents, maintaining a service-oriented mindset and addressing challenges with integrity.

Collaboration and Cross-functional Leadership

• Lead through collaboration, working across departments and with external partners to achieve shared goals. Cultivate strong, collaborative relationships with academic, research, and administrative units to develop and implement IT solutions that enhance institutional success. Establish intentional periodic check-ins to support active collaboration efforts.

Agility and Responsiveness

• Be adaptive and responsive to the dynamic needs of the university community, ensuring swift, effective service delivery. Anticipate challenges and pivot quickly to address issues, with a focus on creating seamless and user-friendly experiences.

Operational Excellence and Continuous Improvement

• Maintain a culture of continuous improvement in all IT operations to ensure efficient and effective service delivery. Regularly assess and optimize processes, systems, and technologies to enhance performance, scalability, and user satisfaction.

Preferences

• Master's Degree in Computer Science or a domain science with computational training
• 8+ years experience in successive leadership roles in academic research computingExperience leading training and support functions for Research Computing & Data (RCD) services across a broad community of researchers
• Broad knowledge of the academic research enterprise, scholarly communication, research data management and federal public access requirements
• Experience managing large, successful projects including planning, coordination, and implementation across all phases of the work
• Experience developing, organizing, and running training workshops and RCD events, including mobilizing the participation of national RCD organizations
• Experience with procurement of research computing infrastructure
• Experience leading successful grant proposals
• Ability to serve as a Principal Investigator on funded projects

Essential Functions

• Strategic Leadership: Builds and leads teams in the development and implementation of research computing and data services 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 including the Monentous Strategic Plan /
• Build, mentor, and lead a team of assigned staff and/or graduate students in the development of technical, project, and related organizational/support skills
• Oversee the production of multiple, often large projects; communicate with Executive sponsors, governance and stakeholder groups on resource needs, progress and challenges
• Nurture and maintain relationships with major customers, external research partners, and co-developers for grant funding
• Information Security: Collaborates with the Information Security Office and the Research Cybersecurity Team to oversee services for secure research, including assessments and certifications (e.g. NIST 800-171 ver. 3; CMMC).
• Budget Management: Develop and manage the research computing and data budget, evaluate cost models, and optimize spending.
• Sustainability: With the AVP for Research Computing and the CRC leadership team, develop models and strategies for sustainability, including responding to state, federal and other funding opportunities.
• Resource Management: With the AVP for Research Computing, oversee the acquisition/development, deployment, and operations of research computational and data infrastructure and associated services. Collaborate with Enterprise and Networking Teams to provide robust flexible and scalable research computing and data environments.
• Data Management and Sharing: Participate in University initiatives and support the CRC work to address 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.
• Lead or collaborate on the development of grant or other funding proposals
• 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. 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: Oversee and guide the development of scalable, low-friction onboarding and support structures for researchers and students, including scientific consultation, participate in training, outreach and community 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 in the CRC.
• Service and professional engagement: Participate in local, regional, and national professional meetings and conferences.

Additional Functions

• May be required to work extended hours (evenings and weekends) in emergency situations, for travel to conferences, professional development, or to represent the CRC at events.

Rice University HR | Benefits: https://knowledgecafe.rice.edu/benefits

Rice Mission and Values: Mission and Values | Rice University

Rice University is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to diversity at all levels and considers for employment qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, genetic information, disability, or protected veteran status.

Rice University is committed to ensuring Equal Employment Opportunity and the full inclusion of all qualified persons in the workplace. This commitment includes providing reasonable accommodations to persons with disabilities. For applicants with disabilities who require a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process, please contact Rice University's Disability Resource Center at 713-348-5841 or adarice@rice.edu for support.

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