The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) story is one of remarkable growth in size, quality, reputation and impact. In a little more than four decades, UAB has transformed from its modest beginnings as an extension center into a doctoral research university and academic medical center. The university is ranked first by U.S. News & World Report among universities in Alabama and 67th nationwide. It is also in the top 25 of midsize employers in the U.S., according to Forbes magazine, and is the top research university in Alabama. With $225 million in NIH funding in FY2014, UAB is ranked 10th among public universities for NIH funding.

To facilitate continued growth in research, UAB is recruiting for an Assistant Vice President of Research Computing. This position will be coming in at the start of a new focus on research computing at UAB Information Technology, an organization that has set its sights on a world-class reputation. UAB IT is quickly making its mark with world-class technology cluding the fastest supercomputer in Alabama and the fastest internet among Alabama universities d a commitment to investing heavily in high performance computing and research computing with a planned investment of $5 million per year.

The Position

The Assistant Vice President of Research Computing will be UABioneer and chief architect of UAB Research Computing applications. Reporting to the Vice President and CIO, the AVP is responsible for for creating and managing a team to design, develop, and deliver a cost-effective mix of applications, data-analysis platforms, and visualization tools running on shared high-performance computing resources across the UAB campus. The AVP will also help identify, engage and support the needs of faculty, postdoctoral researchers and graduate students to ensure projects and publications related to their research are successful. As the university begins investing new and ongoing funding towards high performance and research computing as a collaboration between UAB IT and the Office of the VP of Research, this position will shape how funding is used for a mix of equipment/infrastructure and staff to accomplish the mission.

Additionally, the successful candidate will cultivate a culture of customer service and provide oversight, direction, mentoring, coaching, and professional development to a cross-functional team of research computing professionals.

The Assistant Vice President will also commit to fostering an environment of heightened security following Information Technology Security Policies and participating in security training, such as Health Insurance Portability & Accountability Act (HIPAA) and Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), on an annual basis.

Other duties of the Assistant Vice President include:

• Leads and provides strategic direction to UABesearch computing initiatives
• Works collaboratively with campus stakeholders to create an ecosystem that increases throughput of knowledge development, intellectual property, and external funding through grants
• Recruit and lead a team of staff who can assist researchers and faculty in translating their ideas to a format suitable for research computing
• Increases utilization of research computing to include the existing base of users and other potential disciplines (e.g. humanities, etc.)
• Analyzes complex business needs presented by the user community and/or clients and recommends or oversees the development of application solutions.
• Ensures effective communication and marketing of Research Computing initiatives and projects with the campus, partners and community.
• Manages specific research computing projects such as development of new High-Performance Computing applications.
• Fosters an environment of heightened security, stewardship and customer service to the staff including adherence to all applicable regulations such as HIPAA and FISMA.
• Assists in annual development and oversight of a budget greater than $5 million and in the annual equipment inventory process.
• Change the world by empowering greatness in others who utilize research computing.

Doctorate in Biological or Medical Science, Computer Science, Informatics or a related field and six (6) years of related experience required. Work experience may NOT substitute for education requirement.

Other Qualifications:

• Strong data analysis skills and ability to identify process problems and correct them through policy, procedures and software checking
• Strong program-development skills in order to develop innovative services and tools
• An established record of accomplishments demonstrated by engagement with researchers and users in high performance computing applications.
• Highly developed written, oral, listening and presentation skills
• Excellent customer service skills as demonstrated by the ability to work directly with constituents and vendors to understand and resolve function and/or technical issues to deliver an exceptional customer experience
• Experience leading complex discussions by seeking input, identifying obstacles, being transparent, and driving to results
• Knowledge and experience of one or more of the following (and be prepared and able to develop skills in other areas):

• Parallel programming (primarily with MPI)
• Grid computing, programming frameworks
• Numerical methods and algorithms
• Software debugging, profiling and optimization in an HPC environment
• Scientific visualization
• Experience with a variety of HPC applications.

Applicant Packets

To ensure a thorough expression of your qualifications, please upload a complete application packet that includes a cover letter, resume/CV, and fully completed application profile.

UAB is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer committed to fostering a diverse, equitable and family-friendly environment in which all faculty and staff can excel and achieve work/life balance irrespective of, race, national origin, age, genetic or family medical history, gender, faith, gender identity and expression as well as sexual orientation. UAB also encourages applications from individuals with disabilities and veterans.