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Job Description

As a UW employee, you have a unique opportunity to change lives on our campuses, in our state and around the world. UW employees offer their boundless energy, creative problem-solving skills, and dedication to build stronger minds and a healthier world.

UW faculty and staff also enjoy outstanding benefits, professional growth opportunities and unique resources in an environment noted for diversity, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits, and natural beauty.

The Department of Genome Sciences is part of the University of Washington School of Medicine and is comprised of 37 labs addressing leading edge questions in biology and medicine. The department is making major contributions in the application of genomics to understand the fundamentals of biology and to improve human health and wellbeing. Genome Sciences is a collaborative department supported by very different academic disciplines. We work with a multitude of Principal Investigators (PIs) in departments both on the UW campus as well as worldwide. The department has gone through significant expansion since its beginning in 2001 with annual grant awards of $38M in FY24.

Our goal is to address leading edge questions in biology and medicine by developing and applying genetic, genomic and computational approaches that take advantage of genomic information now available for humans, model organisms and a host of other species. Our faculty study a broad range of topics, including the genetics of E. coli, yeast, C. elegans, Drosophila, and mouse; human and medical genetics; mathematical, statistical and computer methods for analyzing genomes, and theoretical and evolutionary genetics; and genome-wide studies by such approaches as sequencing, transcriptional and translational analysis, polymorphism detection and identification of protein interactions.

The Department of Genome Sciences is committed to creating an environment that is welcoming and inclusive. Our goal is to foster a place of learning and working where all members can thrive and where diversity is recognized and celebrated. At Genome Sciences, we aim to create supportive spaces for those who are marginalized in higher education or society. To achieve this, we recognize that it is our ongoing responsibility to understand, acknowledge, and challenge systems of privilege and disadvantage in higher education such as those based on race, color, creed, caste, religion, national origin, citizenship, sex, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, veteran status, or socioeconomic status.

Position Purpose and Genome Sciences Computing Information:

The Director of Departmental Computing will direct a comprehensive high-performance computing (HPC) facility and dedicated data center with a fully dedicated IT staff of six professionals. This group consists of four System Engineers and two System Administrators. Genome Sciences IT (GS-IT) has significant bioinformatics and scientific computing experience; they manage a collection of lab-specific scientific computing systems that include high-performance clusters with 7,440 total CPU cores, 11 petabytes (PB) of network-available storage, and 334 server systems. GS-IT also manages extensive shared computing resources, provides cloud computing architecture, security, and support services.

Position Complexities:

In this role, the Director of Departmental Computing will navigate a complex computing environment, balancing the security of diverse and highly technical systems with Genome Science’s commitment to collaboration and knowledge-sharing. Maintaining the successful integration and security of these systems across a complex network, while protecting departmental assets, required privacy elements, and enabling mission-driven operations is essential. This role requires a unique skillset that blends strategic insight, technical expertise, and operational leadership.

Position Dimensions and Impact to the University

This position supports a department with approximately 450 students, staff, postdocs, faculty, and affiliates. The annual grant award budget fluctuates ranges from $38M to $68M. The Genome Sciences program is one of the top programs nationally and internationally, and this position supports the computing infrastructure that is the backbone of our position as a leading light in biomedical, genomics, and proteomics research.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Develop strategic and tactical plans for the use of technologies in the Department (39%)

The IT Director develops strategic and tactical plans to keep the Department on the forefront of innovation in research and training, while addressing the current computing issues and needs of the Department. In order to effectively plan for the use of technologies, the IT Director must work closely with Department leadership, faculty, and staff in order to gain an in-depth understanding of the research and academic processes and needs.

General responsibilities related to strategic and tactical planning include: the creation and identification of roadmaps for existing and future technology; advising the chair and director, finance & administration, on issues including resource management and IT investments, among others impacting the Department of Genome Sciences; advocacy for technical and unique needs of the Department of Genome Sciences with central IT groups and committees; development and cultivation of partnerships with a wide array of IT and business leaders at UW; participation on various advisory committees, such as the UW Computing Directors Group, Genome Sciences IT Advisory Committee, and others; and development of funding proposals for technology needs. The products of these activities comprise planning documents, proposals, presentations, and action plans.

Important activities also include:

Manage the IT risk portfolio, including security and accessibility of IT resources.

Direct and protect the sustainable operation of the Department’s extensive computing facilities.

Participate in UW data management and data security efforts.

The position has authority to develop and implement IT plan details largely without formal approval of the chair or director, finance and administration.

Conceive, design, develop, acquire, implement, and manage computing systems supporting the Department’s research, training, and academic needs (20%)

The IT Director conceives, designs, develops, acquires, implements, and manages computing systems supporting the Department’s research, training, and business needs. This requires not only an in-depth understanding of all aspects of enterprise computing systems, but also creativity, project management skills, knowledge of business and research protocols and procedures, and the ability to effectively manage and support an IT Team responsible for the day-to-day work of managing these systems.

General responsibilities include: business and research process analysis, determination of requirements, conceptual and physical design, database design, systems acquisition, application design, and project management. The position has primary responsibility for conceiving and implementing projects that may impact policies and operating procedures on a University wide basis. The department chair and director, finance & administration, may influence priorities and certain policy decisions must be made formally by departmental leadership committees, but the position has largely autonomous responsibility for developing concepts, managing projects, implementing systems and process changes, and communicating and assessing results.

The IT Director must perform independent research and work directly with vendors to identify and source cutting-edge products, equipment, applications, and software for the Department, in order to keep the Department on the forefront of technology in scientific research. The IT Director must forecast the evolving research needs to design and refine solutions to respond in an effective and cost-effective manner, including advising and assisting faculty on the technological needs of proposed research.

Information resources management (15%)

The Director is responsible for planning, developing, and managing the Department of Genome Science's large-scale scientific computing environment and information resources, including multiple database systems, high performance clusters, mechanisms to obtain data, system data transfers, and responding to changes in the information and data landscape. This includes developing and enforcing Department policies and protocols related to these resources to ensure data security, best practices, and compliance.

The Director supports and directs a team of computing staff who perform the day-to-day work of managing Department IT resources. The director may also oversee staging, server management, and data storage.

Direct and support the Genome Sciences Information Technology (GS-IT) services group (20%)

The Director will lead an efficient team of IT staff that continuously strives for process improvement. The team manages the hardware and software infrastructure to support the Department’s research activities, and additionally maintains computing desktops and provides user support and training for faculty/trainees/staff within the Department.

Manage the Genome Sciences Computer Services Center (6%)

In collaboration with the Financial Analyst for Self-Sustaining Centers, the Director will strategically plan and execute long-term goals and objectives for the Genome Sciences Computer Services Center (GS CSC). This includes development of annual service center rate proposal and monthly billing preparation.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Bioinformatics, Engineering, or a related field.

6 years of progressive experience in systems administration, high performance computing, or IT infrastructure, to include 2+ years in a leadership or managerial role, preferably in a research or academic computing environment.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Proven ability to lead technical teams and manage complex projects.

Strong communication skills to collaborate with sponsors, faculty, researchers, and IT staff.

Strategic thinking to align computing infrastructure with research goals.

Funding proposal development, budgeting and resource planning experience.

Experience driving innovation, process improvement, and change management within the organization.

Desired Technical Skills

Linux Administration: Deep experience with Ubuntu and RHEL/CentOS.

Enterprise Storage & Backup: Familiarity with IBM Storage Protect (formerly TSM) and IBM Scale (GPFS).

High Performance Computing (HPC): Experience managing HPC clusters, especially with Grid Engine or similar workload managers (e.g., Slurm).

Configuration Management: Proficiency with Puppet (or similar tools like Ansible or Chef).

Scripting & Version Control: Strong skills in Bash and Python; experience using git for version control.

Cloud Platforms: Working knowledge of AWS, GCP, or Azure, especially in hybrid cloud environments.

Security Compliance: Familiarity with federal standards such as NIST 800-171, FISMA, or HIPAA.

Applicants with some but not all of the desired qualifications are encouraged to apply.

Application Process:

A cover letter is required for this recruitment. Your application will not be considered unless you attach a cover letter.

Compensation, Benefits and Position Details

Pay Range Minimum:

$145,008.00 annual

Pay Range Maximum:

$165,000.00 annual

Other Compensation:

-

Benefits:

For information about benefits for this position, visit https://www.washington.edu/jobs/benefits-for-uw-staff/

Shift:

First Shift (United States of America)

Temporary or Regular?

This is a regular position

FTE (Full-Time Equivalent):

100.00%

About the UW

Working at the University of Washington provides a unique opportunity to change lives – on our campuses, in our state and around the world.

UW employees bring their boundless energy, creative problem-solving skills and dedication to building stronger minds and a healthier world. In return, they enjoy outstanding benefits, opportunities for professional growth and the chance to work in an environment known for its diversity, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits and natural beauty.

Our Commitment

The University of Washington is proud to be an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer (https://hr.uw.edu/eoaa/) . All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.

To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact the Disability Services Office at 206-543-6450 or [email protected] .

Applicants considered for this position will be required to disclose if they are the subject of any substantiated findings or current investigations related to sexual misconduct at their current employment and past employment. Disclosure is required under Washington state law (https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=28B.112.080) .

University of Washington is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, among other things, race, religion, color, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, sex, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.