The Computational Specialist is responsible for providing and extending research computing services, support, and training to Northwestern research communities. You will work with University researchers, students, Northwestern IT staff, and external collaborators in the delivery of these services. You will lead and support internal efforts to ensure services meet the needs of Northwestern’s research community. In addition, the Computational Specialist is involved in the development and delivery of research community learning opportunities, including the delivery of workshops, bootcamps, creation of videos, and updating documentation. Our team works together with Northwestern researchers and IT partners to facilitate computational and data-enabled research across a wide breadth of research areas.

• Note: Not all aspects of the job are covered by this job description.

Specific Responsibilities:

• Work closely with students and faculty to understand their research goals, computational and related storage needs, and navigate the use of Northwestern and national resources
• Onboard and troubleshoot computational research workflows that use high-performance computing (HPC) services at Northwestern.
• Provide support for Quest, Northwestern’s HPC cluster, cloud computing, and national resources (such as ACCESS) through tickets and meeting with researchers.
• Develop new workshops and onboarding media for research computing tools and services. Identify and lead the development of internal and external documentation and guidelines for services and processes.
• Compile data related to services and usage. Present results and findings internally to inform service improvements.
• Lead and support internal service improvement projects from planning to completion to expand and improve central computing services at Northwestern.
• Represent Northwestern IT efforts at conferences and meetings. Represent the team at internal meetings.

Minimum Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities.)

• Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a Bachelor's degree with studies that provide computational experience; OR appropriate combination of education and experience.
• 1 or more years’ experience using Linux, high-performance computing, coding, and/or scripting, preferably in Python, C++, or bash.
• Effective communication skills, including written, oral, and presentation skills. Ability to communicate to a non-technical audience.
• Demonstrated ability to work and collaborate with others.
• Ability to prioritize tasks and manage time effectively.
• Basic data compilation and analysis skills for reporting.

Benefits:
At Northwestern, we are proud to provide meaningful, competitive, high-quality health care plans, retirement benefits, tuition discounts and more! Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/index.html to learn more.

Work-Life and Wellness:
Northwestern offers comprehensive programs and services to help you and your family navigate life’s challenges and opportunities, and adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles.
We support flexible work arrangements where possible and programs to help you locate and pay for quality, affordable childcare and senior/adult care. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/work-life/index.html to learn more.

Professional Growth & Development:
Northwestern supports employee career development in all circumstances whether your workspace is on campus or at home. If you’re interested in developing your professional potential or continuing your formal education, we offer a variety of tools and resources. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/learning/index.html to learn more.

Northwestern strongly recommends COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters for people who can obtain them as a critical tool for minimizing severe illness. More information can be found on the COVID-19 and Campus Updates webpage.

The Northwestern campus sits on the traditional homelands of the people of the Council of Three Fires, the Ojibwe, Potawatomi, and Odawa as well as the Menominee, Miami and Ho-Chunk nations. We acknowledge and honor the original people of the land upon which Northwestern University stands, and the Native people who remain on this land today.