Director, Computing Operations

Pay Grade: 32S

Context of Job:

The Delaware Biotechnology Institute (DBI) was founded in 2001 as a partnership among government, industry, and academia and was designed to position the First State as a center of excellence in biotechnology with funding support from UD and the State of Delaware. DBI has created a vibrant biotechnology ecosystem in the State, where partners and strategic initiatives for research, education and training, and economic and workforce development continue to grow. DBI is a biotechnology community powering innovation in life science research and development and driving impact. DBI fosters a collaborative and cutting–edge research environment, encourages innovation and technology transfer, and supports ground-breaking discoveries to benefit the environment, agriculture, and human health. Many of the Institute’s activities focus on molecular to cellular scale studies, within or at the interface with living systems, and involve interdisciplinary collaborations and partnerships with other institutions in the region. DBI’s mission is to promote research, education, and technology transfer for biotechnology applications to the benefit of the environment, agriculture, and human health. Towards this end, the Institute has several goals: 1) to help the University recruit, retain, and enable a diverse community of exceptional life science faculty, students, and staff; 2) to establish and maintain world-leading life science core facilities and physical infrastructure that support the vision and mission and our partner institutions; and 3) to support the community by promoting entrepreneurship and science communication. The supporting values at the Institute are 1) to treat all individuals with respect and dignity; 2) to value differences and recognize that diverse perspectives enhance creativity and scholarship; 3) to aspire to greatness; 4) to embrace innovation and change including a willingness to persist in the face of challenges; and 5) to be worthy of the trust and respect that the Institute has earned. Institute staff will be committed to being proactive in solving problems, serving the needs of the faculty and research groups that rely on DBI, and performing all duties efficiently, with careful attention to detail, and with priority on issues that support the Institute's mission and the team.

Under direction of the Director, the Director, Institute Computing Operations oversees Delaware Biotechnology Institute’s Windows, Mac OS, UNIX and Linux-based computing infrastructure and other IT systems within the Delaware Biotechnology Institute. The position requires a high level of independence. The Director, Institute Computing Operations interacts with UD Information Technologies and ensures that departmental computing and information systems conform to University policies and procedures with respect to security and responsible use.

Major Responsibilities:

Operations:

• Administers and manages the Delaware Biotechnology Institute’s large Linux based server infrastructure, and Linux high performance computing cluster.
• Administers DBI’s desktops, laptops, and associated peripherals.
• Oversees the procurement of computers and related equipment and supplies.
• Plans, recommends, and implements additions, deletions and major modifications to the supporting infrastructure.
• Plans and manages internal network infrastructure in use at DBI.
• Coordinates and implements disaster recovery procedures.
• Oversees and administers the maintenance of hardware and systems and applications software for Biotech managed resources.
• Interfaces with hardware/software vendors to coordinate and schedule maintenance and system updates and assures cost-effective and optimized operation of the computing facilities.
• Maintains appropriate records for license management and documentation on software configurations.
• Tracks operations utilization and identifies proactive solutions in the development of capacity and service enhancement plans.
• Works collaboratively with Institute partners and stakeholders to address evolving research IT needs, including grant proposal preparation and implementation of IT scope of work.

Leadership:

• Serves as main point of contact for all IT related matters at the Institute.
• Monitors, analyzes, and evaluates performance on DBI’s computing infrastructure, and works on resolution of identified problem areas.
• Ensures timely support for around-the-clock information transfer, storage and processing according to the service level required.
• Assists with IT staffing needs and projections.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field and 6 years of experience directly related to position responsibilities. The following can substitute for preferred education and experience: High School diploma/GED and 10 years’ experience, or Associate’s degree/trade school certificate and 8 years’ experience, or Master’s degree and 4 years’ experience directly related to position responsibilities.
• Management experience preferred.
• Ability to utilize advanced computational and statistical applications and the ability to work independently in a highly interdisciplinary environment and to maintain close interactions with a diverse group of researchers in a dynamic environment is essential.
• Experience in a University computing service environment preferred.
• Strong communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills combined with broad technical knowledge and management experience.
• Strategic planning skills.
• Experience with organizing and managing resources.

Special Requirements:

• Ability to lift and move, with or without assistance, computing-related equipment weighing up to 50 pounds.
• IT support may be required outside of normal operating hours.