Salk Institute for Biological Studies Hiring for Senior Research Cloud Computing Architect and Engineer at La Jolla, CA Full Time

The Salk Biocomputation Initiative addresses advanced biological research’s data-heavy demands. It involves managing and computing against large-scale datasets from genome sequencing, gene expression profiling, microscopy, and imaging, using cloud (public/private) and on-premise infrastructures. The initiative emphasizes machine learning and generative AI applications, heavily utilizing GPUs. This role leads a focused team in cloud computing strategy design and implementation, aiding scientists in transferring workloads to the cloud.

Responsibilities for this position also include developing sustainable, long-term training for cloud computing and data storage. The role supports researchers and facilities in expediting research objectives and leading to high-impact scientific peer-reviewed publications. Reporting to the Chief Information Officer, this position contributes as a subject-matter expert to the strategy for a sustainable hybrid infrastructure, guiding scientists in effective cloud computing and storage utilization.

More details on the science drivers behind this initiative can be found on the Salk website

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Cloud Architecture Design and Management 

• Architect a cloud-based infrastructure, incorporating a landing zone that incorporates network design, security, redundancy, account management, and role-based permissions for use by researchers.
• Develop and implement agile approaches to dev/ops based on a software factory framework (to provide services to researchers to containerize scientific software and help build new workflows Where feasible, this will include a shift away from Posix file systems to cloud-native using Docker-based workflows and object storage.
• Collaborate with researchers to get maximum computational and storage value by intelligently using cloud options, including public and private clouds such as Amazon Web Services Spot market, preemptable VMs in Google’s Cloud Platform, Amazon Deep Glacier archival storage, and the National Prototype National Research Platform.
• Articulate a network architecture that uses Salk resources, including a production research data network based on the Department of Energy’s Science DMZ to move data to collaborators, and public and private cloud providers.
• Develop and maintain administrative dashboards to track cloud usage patterns, including tools for alerting on and/or interrupting anomalous workloads.
• Manage vendor relationships and cloud contractual agreements and billing tools with cloud providers; provide best value and efficiency in proposals.

Cloud Research and Infrastructure Support 

• Working with the Cloud team, providing support to researchers and core staff, and helping implement custom computational pipelines utilizing the most appropriate cloud-based solutions for each project. 
• Maintain a “cookbook” of existing research solutions that can be adapted to solve similar scientific problems.
• Provide technical support and troubleshooting for proposed research recipes and individual research user support to help resolve cloud-based computational and storage technical issues.
• Recommend new cloud-based platform services that increase computational productivity or enable new capabilities. while striving for consistency with Institute guidelines on infrastructure design and security.

Cloud Technical Training 

• Develop training resources designed to inform Salk scientists about cloud computing and research cyberinfrastructure solutions available through Salk.
• Participate in the design/presentation of cloud computing informational seminars and workshops.
• Build relationships and participate in communities of practice at Salk to help share best practices related to cloud-based scientific computing.

People Management

• Personnel management of a focused dev.ops team composed of staff and students working with scientific users to enable discovery.
• Develop appropriate professional development processes to keep the dev.ops team at the leading edge of technical skill development.

Other Duties As Assigned

• Performs other related duties as assigned by the Chief Information Officer.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Directly supervises 1 employee within the IT department.
• Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization’s policies and applicable laws.
• Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.

 QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s Degree (BA) from a four-year college or university, plus three years of related experience and/or training, or equivalent combination of education and experience required.
• A Master’s/Ph.D. in computer science or other applied domain sciences (esp. biological sciences) with a strong computational focus is strongly preferred.
• Three to five years of direct experience with cloud architecture, design, and development, with an emphasis on modern dev/ops processes involving the creation of software factories.
• Three to five years of direct experience with cloud architecture, design, and development, with an emphasis on modern dev/ops processes involving the creation of software factories.
• A minimum of two years of experience developing containerized workflows using docker solutions, with Kubernetes experience preferred.
• 5 years working with Python or other modern scripting language
• 5+ years of experience and deep knowledge of Amazon Web Services and Google Cloud services and their APIs, including popular storage, networking, security, and automated provisioning tools, including Terraform.
  • Extensive knowledge of cloud technologies required – including but not limited to S3, EC2, ECS, RDS, Glacier, EKS, and EBS
  • Current hands-on experience providing modernization to a platform utilizing AWS Google Cloud or similar
• Demonstrated experience developing business models looking at costs for data storage, including analysis of moving data to and from the cloud.
• A minimum of 5 years of administering and working with Linux systems of various flavors (Centos/Redhat preferred) with a well-rounded knowledge of systems, networks, security, storage, and cloud products.

The expected pay range for this position is $160,000 to $200,000 per annum. Salk Institute provides pay ranges representing its good faith estimate of what the institute reasonably expects to pay for a position. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal equity, geographic location, and external market pay for comparable jobs.

SALK VALUES:

• Integrity – Guides our moral compass and underpins our every action. We do what is right in all situations for no other reason than because it is right. We uphold honesty and ethical behavior and make good on our commitments. We understand that words and deeds matter and that integrity leads to trust.
• Community – Enables us to harness the power of our collective talents. We work together towards common goals. We recognize the importance of diversity where everyone’s ideas, identities, backgrounds, and perspectives are valued and pave the paths that propel us forward. We understand our pioneering role in the broader scientific community and take pride in our efforts to have a positive impact on the world.
• Accountability – Keeps us focused, and keeps us honest. We are responsible not only for our own success, but the success of our teams and the entire Institute. We consider how the actions we take and the decisions we make in our own work may impact others.
• Respect – Creates the foundation of trust and brings out the best in us all. We value the experiences, identities, and feelings of those we work with, regardless of their position or their relationship to us. We provide feedback in a constructive manner, use appropriate language, and allow others to share their thoughts and ideas without fear of ridicule.
• Empowerment – Amplifies all voices and inspires the pursuit of greatness. We lift each other up, enabling us to grow continuously and live to our fullest potential. We support the expression of ideas, encourage self-advocacy, inspire confidence and recognize that an environment of mutual respect is critical to our collective success.

COMPETENCIES:

• Analytical – Synthesizes complex or diverse information; Collects and researches data; Uses intuition and experience to complement data; Designs workflows and procedures.
• Innovation – Displays original thinking and creativity; Meets challenges with resourcefulness; Generates suggestions for improving work; Develops innovative approaches and ideas; Presents ideas and information in a manner that gets others’ attention.
• Managing People – Includes staff in planning, decision-making, facilitating and process improvement; Takes responsibility for subordinates’ activities; Makes self available to staff; Provides regular performance feedback; Develops subordinates’ skills and encourages growth; Solicits and applies customer feedback (internal and external); Fosters quality focus in others; Improves processes, products and services.; Continually works to improve supervisory skills.
• Problem Solving – Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner; Gathers and analyzes information skillfully; Develops alternative solutions; Works well in group problem solving situations; Uses reason even when dealing with emotional topics.
• Strategic Thinking – Develops strategies to achieve organizational goals; Understands organization’s strengths & weaknesses; Analyzes market and competition; Identifies external threats and opportunities; Adapts strategy to changing conditions.
• Quality – Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness; Looks for ways to improve and promote quality; Applies feedback to improve performance; Monitors own work to ensure quality.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• Frequently required to sit
• Continually required to utilize hand and finger dexterity
• While performing the duties of this job, the noise level in the work environment is usually quiet
• The employee must occasionally lift and /or move more than 5 pounds
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include: Close vision; Distance vision

The Salk Institute is an internationally renowned research institution that values diversity, equity, and inclusion. We seek bold and interactive leaders passionate about exploring new frontiers in science. Our collaborative community embraces diverse perspectives and unique life experiences, fostering innovation, and a sense of belonging. Together, we strive to improve the wellbeing of humanity through groundbreaking research.