Department

Provost Research Computing Center

About the Department

The University of Chicago Research Computing Center (RCC), a unit in the Office of Research, provides high-end research computing resources to researchers at the University of Chicago. It is dedicated to enabling research by providing access to centrally managed High Performance Computing (HPC), storage, and visualization resources. These resources include hardware, software, high-level scientific and technical user support, and the education and training required to help researchers make full use of modern HPC technology and local and national supercomputing resources. The Office of Research oversees the conduct of sponsored research, research program development, and contract management functions.

Job Summary

The job performs a variety of activities relating to software support and/or development. Provides analysis, design, development, debugging, and modification of computer code for end user applications, beta general releases, web pages, and production support. Troubleshoots problems using existing procedures to find a possible solution.

The Research Computing Center (RCC) is seeking a highly motivated Application Software Developer to work closely with faculty and researchers at the University of Chicago. The person in this position will be a software developer assisting with the development of and improvements to faculty and researchers’ software projects. The successful candidate will contribute to the application development team’s goal of successfully completing software development projects on time, maintain the team’s application portfolio, assist with the creation of project specifications documentation and prototypes and do well in a mentoring environment while learning new technologies and systems.

Responsibilities

• Works closely with faculty to identify, develop applications that support or advance their research, independently and proactively propose novel and effective solutions to research challenges.

• Collaborates directly with faculty, researchers, users and RCC colleagues.

• Defines and documents project requirements.

• Develops, tests, and debugs new and existing application software.

• Assists with the design, architecture and implementation of software solutions.

• Works on a variety of projects, with faculty campus-wide.

• Evaluates new technologies and software products to determine feasibility and desirability of incorporating their capabilities within research projects.

• Supports and maintains existing applications. Works with web developers and responds to requests from users. Investigates, analyzes and resolves day-to-day technical problems using standard procedures.

• Utilizes technical knowledge of existing and emerging technologies and platforms, including public cloud offerings from Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud.

• Develops applications within the group continuous integration and continuous delivery automation processes.

• Suggests ideas and use practices and processes and technologies that allow development and operations of the team to work together to streamline product development.

• Works as team player of the application development group. Peer reviews team members contribution.

• Acts as a technical consultant and resource for faculty research, teaching, and/or administrative projects.

• Documents every deliverable.

• Designs new systems, features, and tools. Solves complex problems and identifies opportunities for technical improvement and performance optimization. Reviews and tests code to ensure appropriate standards are met.

• Performs code testing on components and works to ensure that appropriate implementation standards are met. Evaluates design alternatives for development cost and solutions using various methods.

• Supports and maintains existing applications. Works with web developers and responds to requests from users.

• Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

Education:

Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.

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Work Experience:

Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 2-5 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

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Certifications:

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Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• Master’s degree.

Technical Skills or Knowledge:

• Knowledge of Linux/UNIX systems and shell scripting.

• Experience with a least one or two programming languages such as Python, C/C++, Java.

• Skillful at developing, designing, deploying and supporting applications.

• Basic knowledge of relational and non-relational (NoSQL) databases such as MySQL, PostreSQL, MongoDB, and Cassandra.

• Proficiency with jQuery, AngularJS or similar Javascript frameworks (React, Node, Meteor, etc.).

• Experience with Git and in general with version control.

• Identify and gain expertise in appropriate new technologies and/or software tools.

Preferred Competencies

• Excellent interpersonal, verbal, written, and presentation skills.

• Ability to understand and translate researchers’ scientific goals into computational requirements.

• Ability to identify and gain expertise in appropriate new technologies and/or software tools.

• Ability to function as part of an interactive team while demonstrating self-initiative to achieve project’s goals and Research Computing Center’s mission.

• Strong analytical skills and problem-solving ability.

• Ability to work well with faculty and researchers.

Application Documents

• CV or resume (required)

• Cover letter (preferred)

Job Family

Information Technology

Role Impact

Individual Contributor

FLSA Status

Exempt

Pay Frequency

Monthly

Scheduled Weekly Hours

37.5

Benefits Eligible

Yes

Drug Test Required

No

Health Screen Required

No

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required

No

Posting Statement

The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity/Disabled/Veterans and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

Staff Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.

We seek a diverse pool of applicants who wish to join an academic community that places the highest value on rigorous inquiry and encourages a diversity of perspectives, experiences, groups of individuals, and ideas to inform and stimulate intellectual challenge, engagement, and exchange.

All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history. A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment. Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.

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