Scientific Computing Support

The Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) was established as a component of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in 1962. The NICHD mission is to lead research and training to understand human development, improve reproductive health, enhance the lives of children and adolescents, and optimize abilities for all. Components of the NICHD have differing environments and needs. Operating environments include UNIX, Linux, Windows, and MAC. Similarly, software for system operation, management, and application support varies among divisions. 

FUNCTIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES:  

• Work closely on site with labs to deeply understand the complexities of day-to-day 

operations in a laboratory research environment. 

• Maintain regular communications with research staff, both remote and in person, to monitor trends and issues. 

• Catalog the various types of instrumentation and their IT components and connectivity. 

• Maintain a Biowulf account to be used for testing and benchmarking as well as a basic understanding of how researchers use the HPC cluster. 

• Identify common patterns (e.g., similar machines used by multiple labs) to improve efficiency of support through a single solution focus. 

• Maintain a database of scientific requirements so that labs with similar use-cases and challenges can be addressed at the same time. 

• Maintain a high level of technical competence, strong troubleshooting. 

• Assess existing scientific data workflows, including backup plans, and make suggestions for ensuring data integrity. 

• Iteratively develop improvements based on researcher feedback. 

• Assist lab personnel with the transfer of data to and from external collaborators. 

• Assist with and facilitate the development of lab-specific data backup and archiving plans that meet NIH records retention policies. 

• Work with labs to promote good data stewardship, such as minimizing redundant copies on multiple computers and utilizing network storage. 

• Benchmark network performance and assess scientific requirements. 

• Develop methods of connecting legacy machines to the network in a secure manner. 

• Maintain a Biowulf HPC account for testing and benchmarking. 

• Perform benchmarks to assess the need for local HPC or on-prem storage solutions. 

• Develop best-practices backup strategy for backing up from HPC to NICHD storage. 

• Build knowledge and expertise in the software tools used by researchers. 

• Monitor emerging technology and its impact on storage and network infrastructure, e.g. cryo-EM, upgraded sequencers, and advanced sensor technology. 

• Monitor scientific data use, develop processes for identifying data to be archived and how it should be archived. 

ADDITIONAL KNOWLEDGE AREAS PREFERRED:   

• Automation of backups from Linux, Windows, Mac scientific machines and/or HPC cluster to NICHD enterprise storage. 

• Command-line experience on Linux and/or Mac is desired. 

• Familiarity with Conda and/or Brew package managers for Linux and/or Mac is a plus. 

• High-performance computing and/or programming experience in R or Python is a plus. 

• Strong knowledge of Bomgar or equivalent tool for providing remote support is preferred. 

• Prefer ability to lift 30 pounds. 

• Strong communication skills both oral and written. 

• Prefer strong skills in the following key areas including strategic thinking, multi-tasking, time management, planning and executing to a defined schedule. 

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS: 

• Seven (7) or more years’ experience in the role of an Asset Team Lead, supporting the oversight of at least five (5) million dollars ($5,000,000) or more of IT assets with five (5) or more years’ experience leading a team of two (2) or more asset support staff.  

• Three (3) or more years’ experience overseeing IT assets (i.e., computers, monitors, printers, peripherals etc..) including inventorying, reconciling, keeping up-to-date records, imaging new systems, reimaging existing systems. 

MINIMUM EDUCATION:  

Bachelor’s degree in Science and/or Information Technology. Prefer Apple Certified Associate certification. Five (5) years of additional relevant experience may be substituted for the degree requirement. 

We are seeking a Scientific Computing Support perform various activities to support the success of the team in providing quality IT services to NICHD.  

TekSynap is a fast growing high-tech company that understands both the pace of technology today and the need to have a comprehensive well planned information management environment. “Technology moving at the speed of thought” embodies these principles – the need to nimbly utilize the best that information technology offers to meet the business needs of our Federal Government customers.

We offer our full-time employees a competitive benefits package to include health, dental, vision, 401K, life insurance, short-term and long-term disability plans, vacation time and holidays.

Visit us at www.TekSynap.com. 

Apply now to explore jobs with us!  

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WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• • Location: Bethesda, MD 
  • Type of environment: Office 
  • Noise level: Low 
  • Work schedule: Schedule is day shift Monday – Friday. May be requested to work evenings and weekends to meet program and contract needs. 
  • Amount of Travel: Less than 10% 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to handle, feel, touch; reach with hands and arms; talk and hear. The employee is regularly required to stand; walk; sit; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee is regularly required to lift up to 10 pounds. The employee is frequently required to lift up to 25 pounds; and up to 50 pounds. The vision requirements include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

WORK AUTHORIZATION/SECURITY CLEARANCE

Must be able to successfully obtain Public Trust

OTHER INFORMATION

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

TekSynap is a drug-free workplace. We reserve the right to conduct drug testing in accordance with federal, state, and local laws. All employees and candidates may be subject to drug screening if deemed necessary to ensure a safe and compliant working environment.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

In order to provide equal employment and advancement opportunities to all individuals, employment decisions will be based on merit, qualifications, and abilities. TekSynap does not discriminate against any person because of race, color, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, protected veteran status, national origin, disability, age, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by law (referred to as “protected status”). This nondiscrimination policy extends to all terms, conditions, and privileges of employment as well as the use of all company facilities, participation in all company-sponsored activities, and all employment actions such as promotions, compensation, benefits, and termination of employment.

TekSynap is committed to ensuring that our online application process provides an equal employment opportunity to all job seekers, including individuals with disabilities. If you believe you need a reasonable accommodation in order to search for a job opening or to submit an application, please contact hr@teksynap.com for assistance.