Research Computing Specialist

The Research Computing Specialist will primarily work in close relationship with faculty, students and instructional staff at Harvey Mudd College, providing professional support in the use and integration of discipline-specific information technologies and tools into their teaching and research, with particular attention to engineering, mathematical, statistical, modeling, graphing and high performance computing tools; in the design, development, and implementation of course materials, learning modules, and course management software. 

About Harvey Mudd College:

Located in the heart of Claremont, California, 35 miles east of Los Angeles, Harvey Mudd College is a highly selective undergraduate liberal arts college offering degrees in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.  HMC enrolls about 800 students and is a member of The Claremont Colleges, which comprises five undergraduate colleges and two graduate institutions.  According to students, professors, and alumni, what makes Harvey Mudd distinctive is its collaborative, cross-disciplinary nature.  The working environment is built on collaborative relationships between and among all members of the campus community and a deep commitment to the College’s mission to educate students “so that they may assume leadership in their fields with a clear understanding of the impact of their work on society.”

Summary of Job Responsibilities:

• Collaborate with faculty to provide expert support for mathematical, statistical, analytical and graphing software used by faculty in the seven HMC academic departments

• Proactively research, analyze and evaluate software tools and toolkits. Recommend new software and other tools to faculty.

• Train student, faculty and staff in the use of discipline specific software to ensure basic levels of literacy are achieved. 

• Provide support for students in the use of mathematical, statistical and design software.

• Lead and contribute to the College's faculty development programs, by offering workshops for faculty and consulting with faculty one-on-one. Write documentation in the form of tutorials, web pages, FAQs, etc.

• Consult with faculty on high performance computing needs, asses and analyze needs and make recommendations to CIS management regarding high performance computing resources. 

• Collaborate with faculty to produce instructional materials and make them widely available. 

• Work with User Support team to install, analyze, test and maintain software on departmental lab and research systems.

• Collaborate with colleagues within The Claremont Colleges Services to develop joint projects in support of instructional technology initiatives. 

• As appropriate or necessary, supervise and evaluate the performance of assigned staff. 

• Keep abreast of developments in higher education technology with an emphasis on scientific and engineering disciplines; report back to the HMC community about developments as appropriate. 

Participate in cross-functional teams what work on educational technology projects. Coordinate team work when assigned to the position of team leader.

Summary of Qualifications:

Education and Experience:

Education:  Master's degree in Computer Science, Mathematics or Engineering

Experience:  Three year's experience with: 

• Using mathematical and statistical packages such as Mathlab, Mathematica, LeTeX, SPSS, and R, as well as modeling, simulation and data visualization software such a Gaussian, Materials Studio, COMSOL, and Tableau, in order to train others in their use, troubleshoot issues and evaluate other applications within the genre

• High performance and parallel processing in cluster environments as well as multi-core, multi=CPU, and GPU systems in order to provide advise and make recommendations to faculty

• Programming languages such as Python, Java, C/C++, and/or Fortrain in order to assist faculty in the creation of research and instructional software

• Cloud computing and visual machine environments in order to evaluate different resources, set up the environments, and provide support

• Using and supporting operating systems including Linux, Apple OS X, and Microsoft Windows

• Application software including word processing, spreadsheets and database management, web authoring tools, multimedia software development tools, course management software, digital asset management software, and working in a team environment such as a research group or academic/administrative department

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of:

• Detailed knowledge of mathematical and statistical packages such as Mathlab, Mathematica, LeTeX, SPSS, and R, as well as modeling, simulation and data visualization software such a Gaussian, Materials Studio, COMSOL, and Tableau, in order to train others in their use, troubleshoot issues and evaluate other applications within the genre

• Detailed knowledge of parallel processing in cluster environments as well as multi-core, multi=CPU, and GPU systems in order to provide advise and make recommendations to faculty

• Detailed knowledge of programming languages such as Python, Java, C/C++, and/or Fortran in order to assist faculty in the creation of research and instructional software

• Working knowledge of cloud computing and visual machine environments in order to evaluate different resources, set up the environments, and provide support

• Detailed knowledge of the theory and exemplary practices for integrating technology into the instructional enthronement of a liberal arts college. 

• General knowledge of operating systems including Linux, Apple OS X, and Microsoft Windows. Ability to advise users on appropriate selection of operating systems to achieve identified goals.

• General knowledge of application software including word processing, spreadsheets and database management, web authoring tools, multimedia software development tools, course management software, digital asset management software

Ability to:

• Research, analyze and recommend new software and hardware

• Communicate technical issues to uses in a clear and effective manner

• Communicate effecitvley both orally and in writing with a diver poiulation

• Learn new software applications quickly.

• Interpret, apply and explain rules, regulations, policies, and procedures

• Establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with others, using tact, patience and courtesy

• Operate a computer and assigned office equipment

• Analyze situations accurately and adapt an effective course of action

• Meet schedules and timelines

• Work with people in such a manner as to build high morale and group commitments to goals and objectives

• Define realistic, specific goals and objectives and to prioritize them

• Work with staff to provide high quality customer services. 

• Identify problems and work with staff to recommend and implement solutions

• Work independently with little direction in a dynamic and goal-oriented work environment

• Plan and organize work

• Prepare comprehensive narrative and statistical reports

• Supervise and evaluate the performance of assigned staff

• Work at a high level of independence and exercise good judgment in making decisions

Application Procedures:

Please visit www.hmc.edu/employment to view a complete job description for this position and obtain information about how to submit an application.   Information about HMC’s competitive benefits package is available at www.hmc.edu/hrbenefits.

Deadline to apply:

Position will remain open until filled.

Harvey Mudd College is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.  Qualified applicants will be given consideration for employment without regard to age, race, gender, national origin, sexual orientation, protected veteran’s status, disability, or any other characteristics protected by applicable law.