Director of Research Computing Services

at  The University of Alabama

POSITION SUMMARY

The University of Alabama (UA) Libraries seeks a proactive and innovative individual to serve as the Director of Research Computing Services. Reporting to the Senior Associate Dean, and in consultation with the Dean of University Libraries, the Director of Research Computing Services will be responsible for leading and developing a vision for research computing in University Libraries, as well as determining new ways to engage in the developing campus vision for high-performance computing.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Master’s degree in Library & Information Sciences from an ALA-accredited institution, or terminal degree in a STEM field.
• 10+ years of progressively responsible experience in an academic research library.
• Proven experience developing and providing library services related to chemical information, computer programming, and computational research.
• Experience leading and mentoring student assistants.
• Strong understanding and experience with automated information retrieval methods via scholarly APIs.
• Experience with Linux, Bash, Python, and High-Performance Computing.
• Knowledge of academic computational workflows with Git, Jupyter Notebooks, and scripting.
• Ability to successfully initiate, track, and manage projects.
• Record of contributing to and publishing open-source software.
• Demonstration of ability, interest, and willingness to assume additional and/or new responsibilities, along with the ability to set and model high performance standards.
• Proven interpersonal skills evidenced by working cooperatively and maintaining effective working relationships with colleagues, faculty, staff, and students.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a complex and changing environment; proven ability to work both independently and collaboratively and complete tasks according to an established timeframe, manage multiple priorities, and meet deadlines.
• Commitment to conduct research and scholarship consistent with a tenure-track/tenured faculty appointment; commitment to engage in continuing professional development.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Ph.D. in a STEM field. • Experience with quantum computing. • Knowledge of parallel computing and GPU programming. • Familiarity with data curation workflows. • Experience with cloud computing such as Microsoft Azure, Google Colab, or GitHub Codespaces • Experience with GIS (Geographic information system). • Experience with large language models or other AI/ML technologies. • Experience submitting grant proposals. • Experience developing LibGuides, tutorials, and digital learning objects. • Experience with Blackboard or another Learning Management System.

• Lead Research Computing Services in the University Libraries and actively develop strategic partnerships within University Libraries and with other academic units (e.g., Office of Information Technology).
• Serve as the subject liaison to the departments of Chemistry & Biochemistry and Chemical & Biological Engineering.
• Promote computational workflows across campus, leveraging technology such as computational notebooks, versioning software, high performance computing, cloud computing, and automated workflows/continuous integration.
• Advocate for increased use of open and University Libraries subscription information for computational research (e.g., text mining, informatics, bibliometrics, data visualization).
• Supervise research computing students, staff and faculty librarians.
• Lead and develop a robust program to support research computing across the UA campus, including regular introductory workshops, course-integrated instruction, reference consultations, tutorials, and documentation. Example topics include programmatic workflows, reproducible/interactive code sharing, scripted information retrieval, informatics, bibliometrics, high-performance computing, cloud computing, and artificial intelligence/machine learning.
• Support and collaborate with faculty and students on research computing projects.
• Assess ongoing computational research and teaching at UA. Collaborate with University Libraries Area Computing Services to ensure that available library technology and software is meeting the needs of faculty and students.
• Collaborate with library liaisons to integrate research computing into instruction and reference.
• Maintain knowledge of workflows, new technologies, software, current trends and opportunities in research computing and chemical information.
• Participate in appropriate national and international professional societies and organizations related to research computing and chemical information.
• Engage in research, scholarship, or creative activity through publication and presentation.
• Responsibilities of the position may change as University Libraries continue to evolve.
  SALARY/BENEFITS: This is a 12-month tenured/tenure-track faculty appointment at the Associate Professor or Professor rank. Salary is commensurate with qualifications, experience, and advanced degrees. Benefits include professional development support, tuition fee waiver, and matching retirement contributions.