The School of Humanities and Sciences (H&S) is the foundation of a liberal arts education at Stanford. The school encompasses 24 departments and 24 interdisciplinary programs. H&S is home to fundamental and applied research, where free, open, and critical inquiry is pursued across disciplines. As the university’s largest school, H&S serves as the foundation of a Stanford undergraduate education no matter which discipline students pursue as a major. Graduate students work alongside world-renowned faculty to pursue and shape foundational research that leads to breakthroughs and discoveries that shed new light on the past, influence the present, and shape the future. Together, faculty and students in H&S engage in inspirational teaching, learning, and research every day.
Department/Program Description: The Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource
Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource (SSRL, a Directorate of SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory) at Stanford University is a national scientific user facility that serves a large international research community.
SSRL operates an accelerator that provides high-brightness x-rays to ~30 facility stations that enable research in areas such as biology, medical, environmental, chemistry, and materials sciences. Each station is tailored to specific techniques, necessitating a highly varied approach to instrumentation, data acquisition, and computing infrastructure. The SSRL stations are made available to an international scientific user community, with SSRL staff providing scientific and technical support in their use.
The Structural Molecular Biology (SMB) program at SSRL is specifically focused on studies related to biochemistry and biomedical research (https://www-ssrl.slac.stanford.edu/smb/index.html). Program goals include the development of scientific methodology, instrumentation, and research applications in macromolecular crystallography, x-ray absorption spectroscopy and small-angle x-ray scattering, and provide external-user access through peer-review for >800 external scientists annually. The program has a significant training and dissemination component. Research and technical information exchange is performed with similar facilities world-wide.
Position Summary: The SSRL Structural Molecular Biology program seeks an experienced research infrastructure systems analyst/administrator to manage and support the technologies enabling cutting-edge scientific research for its Structural Molecular Biology program. The successful candidate will work with computer and network specialists to oversee mission-critical infrastructure for data acquisition, storage, analysis, and web/database services, spanning multiple operating systems, virtualization platforms, and storage systems. Key responsibilities include installing, configuring, and maintaining this infrastructure while ensuring its security, reliability, and uninterrupted operation.
This is a 100% FTE, continuing, exempt position. This position will be based on the Stanford campus and will be considered for an option of telecommuting (hybrid of working on-site and off-site), subject to operational need.
If you believe that this opportunity is a match for your knowledge, skills and abilities, we encourage you to apply. Thank you for considering employment opportunities with the School of Humanities and Sciences.
CORE DUTIES:
- Provide technical expertise and support for mission-critical computing systems, including Debian Linux, VMware, Windows environments, storage solutions (NAS and SAN), and blade servers.
- Build, install, configure, and maintain systems across multiple operating systems and virtualization platforms.
- Debug and resolve core-infrastructure hardware and software issues.
- Monitor and analyze resource usage to recommend/develop enhancements to system capabilities and performance.
- Compare, evaluate, and implement new technologies to integrate into the computing environment.
- Ensure compliance with lab-wide cybersecurity requirements and design system/network security configurations.
- Provide system support to visiting user scientists and facilitate their research needs.
- Coordinate system outages and maintenance with all affected users.
- Document systems infrastructure for users, support personnel, and developers.
- Occasionally work outside of normal hours to support the scientific user schedule.
- * Other duties may also be assigned.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:
- Bachelor's degree and five years of relevant experience, or a combination of education and relevant experience.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:
- Experience with multiple types of operating systems or expert knowledge in one.
- Experience with managing an integrated computing environment.
- Extensive experience in multiple programming languages for system development.
- Experience with networked environments.
- Experience with network storage solutions.
- Experience with configuring and maintaining routers.
- Demonstrated knowledge of security protocols.
- Ability to manage shared resources and perform moderately complex tasks.
- Ability to work well independently and as a team member.
- Ability to train to others in applications and operating system fundamentals.
- Experience with middleware and infrastructure.
In addition, preferred requirements include:
- Bachelor’s degree in computer science, information technology, or related fields.
- Familiarity with Linux systems, including basic server and workstation management, installation, and centralized management tools.
