Position Overview

The Department of Research Computing Servicesin Information Technologiesis currently seeking a Full-timeTemporary ReliefSpecialsit Data Scientistfor approximately 14 months.

Research Computing Services (RCS) is a department of Information Technology (IT) with the responsibility of providing scientific computing support to all faculty staff and students at the University of Calgary (currently greater than 30000 FTE) and computing support to external stakeholders utilizing the Compute Canada/WestGrid resources. This is a senior position within the university reporting to the Director IT Research Computing Services. The Specialist Data Scientist is accountable for successfully planning executing collaborating and delivering compute and data intensive research projects supporting the universitys research staff initiatives and facilities. In particular this includes the following areas:

• Big data applications machine learning/AI data analytics and data mining
• High Performance Computing (HPC) / Advanced Research Computing facilities
• Design innovative solutions and research models to improve research findings and methodology
• Research initiatives as identified within the Research (from IT Planning and Stakeholder Engagement)

The role of Specialist Data Scientist requires extensive experience in mathematics statistics information science and computer science in particular from the subdomains of machine learning classification cluster analysis data mining databases and visualization. It also requires excellent people leadership and facilitation skills with the ability to understand and align both big picture and small picture issues.

While the role does not require shiftwork it is expected that the incumbent will engage in evening early-morning or weekend activities as required from time to time in order to address project and service demands.

Primary Purpose of the Position: (Key purpose functions roles):
The primary purpose of this position is to provide expert guidance in data analysis scientific programming and application support to all faculty staff and students. The position will focus on working in direct support of research groups for the generation and analysis of scientific data. Individuals in this role are expected to be comfortable working as a systems analyst software engineer and a quantitative researcher. The Specialist Data Scientist will be familiar with key internal and external research data sources and how they are gathered and retrieved; experience with manipulation large volumes of data and open source technologies is essential.

The incumbent is also expected to be experienced with various scientific programing languages and tools and able to select a suitable tool for the analytics solution or working with data. The Specialist Data Scientist will assist in the formulation of policies and procedures around the handling of big data in the research ecosystem of the University.

Position Description

Summary of Key Responsibilities (job functions include but are not limited to):

Problem Solving and Innovation

• Develop and maintain collaborative working relationships with Principal Investigators and research groups to extract and analyze research data to enable research excellence in a multitude of different areas
• Apply knowledge on a broad range of discipline and manipulate and analyze complex high-volume (big) data disciplines to allow for new research insights and innovations
• Participate and lead large-scale research projects conveying solutions and building consensus on the solutions with the research groups
• Develop and program innovative algorithms and models to enable improved research methodology
• Play an active role on national level projects such as providing recommendations for ARC clusters Big Data and ML/AI in order to win funding via the CFI and other funding agencies
• Serve a main contact to solve complex problems that get escalated to them from others on their team or research community
• Activate participation in national level projects through Compute Canada or other funding agencies
• Provide recommendations to senior staff for improved support of analysis of big data
• Assist in planning developing and implementing solutions to better serve the researchers base

Knowledge Dissemination

• Mentor/Coach Principal Investigator and graduate students in analytics ML/AI and data science best practices and contribute to enhancing RCS'sknowledge and abilities.
• Grow big data and bioinformatics capacity and standards within the research communities through training and workshops.
• Answer researchers complex questions concerning appropriate techniques to analyze their data. Provide expert advice on data analysis tools.
• Work within the research team to provide support to Compute Canada/WestGrid stakeholders external to the University
• Represent the group to internal and external stakeholders as appropriate when issues arise
• Balance service delivery capabilities with researcher expectations
• Ensure that community members have an appropriate understanding of the services by offering documentation seminars and tutorials
• Provide timely and updated documentation on techniques and analyses used so as to supplement the RCS knowledge base
• Pursue on-going professional development to stay current with the latest developments in the field

Strategy and Planning

• Leading new initiatives on using machine learning/AI methodologies to build and enhance research computational/statistical methods
• Collaborate with research units across the university to define metrics guidelines and strategies for effective use of high performance computing algorithm and research data
• Engage with multi-disciplinary task force to make recommendations on standards emerging technology and governance for the handling of big data in the research ecosystem

Qualifications / Requirements:

• Advanced University degree (MSC or Ph.D level) in a quantitative discipline (Mathematics Statistics Science Bioinformatics)
• At least 5 years of experience working in a technical support role
• Proved experience with a broad range of disciplines such as engineering medicine or biosciences
• Must possess proven abilities to think critically and demonstrate problem-solving abilities in the analysis of data
• Experience with statistical tools HADOOP machine learning/AI and data mining
• Highly proficient programming skills with scripting languages (Bash Python Perl etc.)
• Expertise in analytical applications program development and evaluation methodologies
• Proficient systems analysis expertise with Linux
• Experience with scientific visualization applications
• Must be able to work collaboratively in a team environment
• Experience in developing and delivering presentations and a desire to teach train and impart knowledge
• Strong organizational communication (written and oral) and interpersonal skills
• A proven ability to work productively and communicate effectively with all levels of staff in a research environment
• Research grant writing experience an asset

Application Deadline: January 31 2022

We would like to thank all applicants in advance for submitting their resumes. Please note only those candidates chosen to continue on through the selection process will be contacted.

Additional Information

This position is classified in the Professional Career Band Level 3of the Management and Professional Staff Career Framework.

To find out more about management and staff opportunities at the University of Calgary and all we have to offer view our Management and Staff Careers website.

COVIDSafe Campus Strategy

The University has implemented a new Vaccination Directive that requires all faculty and staff to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by January 1 2022. You will be required to upload proof of vaccination prior to commencing your duties. Please review the COVIDSafe Campus website for further information and access to additional resources.

About the University of Calgary

The University of Calgary is Canadas leading next-generation university a living growing and youthful institution that embraces change and opportunity with a can-do attitude. Located in the nations most enterprising city the university is making tremendous progress on its Eyes High journey to be recognized asone of Canadas top five research universities grounded in innovative learning and teaching and fully integrated with the community it both serves and leads.The University of Calgary inspires and supports discovery creativity and innovation across all disciplines. For more information visit ucalgary.ca.

The University of Calgary has launched an institution-wide Indigenous Strategy in line with the foundational goals of Eyes High committing to creating a rich vibrant and culturally competent campus that welcomes and supports Indigenous Peoples encourages Indigenous community partnerships is inclusive of Indigenous perspectives in all that we do.

The University of Calgary recognizes that a diverse staff/faculty benefits and enriches the work learning and research experiences of the entire campus and greater community. We are committed to removing barriers that have been historically encountered by some people in our society. We strive to recruit individuals who will further enhance our diversity and will support their professional success while they are here. We encourage all qualified applicants to apply however preference will be given to Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada.