Skip to main content

This job has expired

Research Software Engineer

Employer
Northern Arizona University
Location
Arizona, United States
Salary
Salary Not specified
Date posted
Aug 16, 2022


Research Software Engineer

Location: SICCS
Regular/Temporary: Regular
Job ID: 606409
Full/Part Time: Full-Time

Workplace Culture

NAU is a community devoted to student success and sustained by an unshakable commitment to our shared mission, vision, and values. We—faculty, staff, and administrators—thrive by combining our efforts and working side by side to further NAU's culture of excellence.



Special Information

This is an appointment funded by external grant money, such that this position is subject to the availability of funding. This position is funded for up to five years.

Complete applications will include the following:
  • a one- or two-page statement of research and/or career interests, AND
  • a curriculum vitae with the names and contact information of three references


Job Description

The Mihaljevic Lab at Northern Arizona University (NAU) is seeking applications for a Research Software Engineer to support an NIH-funded project that will build cyberinfrastructure for automating the construction, simulation, and parameterization of spatial epidemiological models. The successful candidate will be excited to apply their expertise in computer science and software engineering to problems in biology and public health.

In particular, the successful candidate will serve as the technical project leader for this ambitious research effort, with primary responsibility for creating the software infrastructure that is the core deliverable for the project. Key activities will include:

(a) working with PIs Doerry and Mihaljevic to design a novel software system to meet the research vision outlined in the grant proposal, spanning and integrating aspects within web applications, scalable cloud computing, and high performance computing;

(b) primary responsibility for software development to create a first prototype of a next generation system for rapidly generating, refining, and disseminating mathematical and simulation models that describe the transmission and spatial spread of infectious pathogens; and

(c) potential supervision of one or more research assistants that may help with implementation work.

While much initial and overall guidance will be provided, a key requirement is the ability and curiosity to learn new concepts in both computing and epidemiological modeling, perform technical research to develop new concepts and software architectures, and provide creative input to solve the many challenges encountered in innovation and research computing. There is no “routine” work in this job; the ideal candidate will thrive on tackling daily challenges in an R&D context to implement a big data computing solution that could revolutionize the way we respond to future pandemics.

The chosen candidate will work in collaboration with Drs. Mihaljevic and Doerry in the School of Informatics, Computing, and Cyber Systems, and will have the opportunity to develop collaborations with researchers in the Center for Health Equity Research at NAU, as well as collaborators at TGen North in Flagstaff, Arizona State University, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and Northwestern University.

Primary mentors: Dr. Joseph Mihaljevic (joseph.mihaljevic@nau.edu), Dr. Eck Doerry (eck.doerry@nau.edu)

Essential Functions

Software Development - 55%
  • Develops code, develops modules, performs software unit testing, integrated testing, and usability testing.
  • Designs and maintains web-based cyberinfrastructure on AWS.
  • Establishes protocols for running processes on high performance computing clusters.
  • Design interactive visualizations of model output.
  • Manipulate geographic information systems' data structures for use in epidemiological modeling.
  • Follows the software development life cycle from preliminary stem analysis to tests and deployment.
  • Monitors for quality assurance, evaluates user feedback, and makes changes/upgrades as needed.
  • Documents and archives code using GitHub.

Research & Publications - 30%
  • Assists in finding solutions to the challenges inherent in conducting data-intensive research.
  • Works collaboratively with research team to collect data and design analyses to address primary research questions.
  • Participates in research activities including data curation, analysis and evaluation of software tools for epidemiological modeling and associated cyberinfrastructure.
  • Conducts complex research work and independently reviews professional literature to design and apply appropriate research methodologies, techniques, and procedures.
  • Assists faculty researchers in the planning and designing of research projects, establishing priorities, and recommending schedules.
  • Co-authors or authors technical reports, research papers, and manuscripts for publication.

Supervision - 10%
  • Assists with the supervision of activities of other research project staff.

Administrative Support - 5%
  • Performs administrative functions such as helping to manage data storage.
  • Collaboration on grant reporting, as required by project sponsors.
  • Purchasing and budgeting.


Minimum Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or related discipline.
  • 2-4 years of experience in enterprise computing and support.
  • Any combination of relevant education and experience may be substituted for the educational requirement on a year-for-year basis.


Preferred Qualifications

  • Master's degree in related discipline
  • Demonstrated experience in coding algorithms, including parallel programming techniques, using C/C++, as well as R or Python.
  • Experience in professional software development, including development tools, such as IDEs, version control, and issue tracking.
  • Strong background in mathematics and statistics.
  • Experience with cloud computing environments, such as AWS.
  • Experience with geographic information systems and associated data structures, such as Leaflet and ArcGIS.
  • Interest in infectious disease and public health.
  • Demonstrated background of mentoring undergraduate research assistants.
  • Interest and/or experience promoting STEM diversity and inclusion.


Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

  • Ability to work collaboratively as part of a research team and with individuals from a variety of cultural backgrounds
  • Leadership, coordination, and/or supervision skills.
  • Ability to take initiative and complete tasks without direct supervision.
  • Innovation, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.
  • Knowledge of innovative data visualization methods and software.
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills, as demonstrated by publications and/or technical documents.
  • Excellent organizational and project management skills.
  • Knowledge of using high performance computing environments.



COVID-19 Vaccine Requirement

As of 12/10/21, the Safer Federal Workforce employee vaccination requirement is currently suspended pending the outcome of a federal court-issued injunction. This injunction has suspended the recent executive order issued by President Biden requiring all employees of federal contractors to receive COVID-19 vaccinations. For current status of the vaccine requirement and/or questions, please visit FAQs for Employee Vaccination Requirement.

Background Information

Northern Arizona University requires satisfactory results for the following: a criminal background investigation, an employment history verification and a degree verification (in some cases) prior to employment. You may also be required to complete a fingerprint background check. Additionally, as an employer in the state of Arizona, NAU is required to participate in the federal E-Verify program that assists employers with verifying new employees' right to work in the United States. Finally, each year Northern Arizona University releases an Annual Security Report. The report is a result of a federal law known as the Clery Act. The report includes Clery reportable crime statistics for the three most recent completed calendar years and discloses procedures, practices and programs NAU uses to keep students and employees safe including how to report crimes or other emergencies occurring on campus. In addition, the Fire Safety Report is combined with the Annual Security Report for the NAU Flagstaff Mountain Campus as this campus has on-campus student housing. This report discloses fire safety policies and procedures related to on-campus student housing and statistics for fires that occurred in those facilities. If you would like a free paper copy of the report, please contact the NAUPD Records Department at (928) 523-8884 or by visiting the department at 525 E. Pine Knoll Drive in Flagstaff.

Salary

Salary range begins at $62,996. Annual salary commensurate with candidate's qualifications and related experience.

FLSA Status

This position is exempt from the overtime provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and therefore will not earn overtime or compensatory time for additional time worked.

Benefits

This is a Classified Staff (CLS) position. NAU offers an excellent benefit package including generous health, dental and vision insurance; participation in the Arizona State Retirement System; paid vacation and 10 holidays per year; and tuition reduction for employees and qualified dependents. More information on benefits at NAU is available on the Human Resources benefits website. Classified Staff employees are in a probationary status for their first six months at NAU. NAU is a tobacco and smoke-free campus. Employees offered a position will be eligible for state health plans (including NAU's BCBS Plan). New employees are eligible for benefits on the first day of the pay period following their enrollment, after their employment date. Employees will have 31 days from their start date to enroll in benefits. Additionally, new employees will begin participating in the Arizona State Retirement System, and the long-term disability coverage that accompanies it, on the first of the pay period following 6 months after the new employee's start date.

Learning and Development

Your career at Northern Arizona University includes the opportunity for professional development. New employee on-boarding training includes courses to be completed within the first 30 days. If your position includes the supervision of a benefit-eligible employee, we offer the NAU Supervisors Academy for you to complete within your first 2 years.

Immigration Suppt/Sponsorship

NAU will not provide any U.S. immigration support or sponsorship for this position.

Application Deadline

September 15, 2022 at 11:59 p.m.

How to Apply

To apply for this position, please click on the "Apply" button on this page. You must submit your application by clicking on the "Submit" button by midnight of the application deadline. If you need assistance completing your application there are instructions available on the Human Resources website or in person in the Human Resources Department located in Building 91 on the NAU Campus - on the corner of Beaver and DuPont Streets.

If you are an individual with a disability and need reasonable accommodation to participate in the hiring process please contact the Office of Equity and Access at: 928-523-3312/TDD - 928-523-1006 or PO Box 4083, Flagstaff AZ 86011.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Northern Arizona University is a committed Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Institution. Women, minorities, veterans and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. NAU is responsive to the needs of dual career couples.

EEO is the Law Poster and Supplements

NAU is an Employer of National Service. AmeriCorps, Peace Corps, and other National Service alumni are encouraged to apply.



To apply, visit https://hr.peoplesoft.nau.edu/psp/ph92prta/EMPLOYEE/HRMS/c/HRS_HRAM.HRS_APP_SCHJOB.GBL?Page=HRS_APP_JBPST&Action=U&FOCUS=Applicant&SiteId=1&JobOpeningId=606409&PostingSeq=1



jeid-38fbfd711e2b4541a4a99a5567d97389

Get job alerts

Create a job alert and receive personalized job recommendations straight to your inbox.

Create alert