The Salk Biocomputation Initiative focuses on the data intensive needs present in biological science research today.  Large datasets are routinely generated by genome sequencing, gene expression profiling, advanced microscopy & video imaging to name a few experimental techniques. The Institute must manage the storage, transfer and processing of this data, both on-premise but also by using the capabilities available in the cloud. This position will design, implement and support the Institute’s framework for cloud computing, working collaboratively with scientists to migrate their data pipelines to the cloud.  As part of the initiative, the position will provide training needed for longterm sustainable cloud-based compute and data storage in support of reasarch at Salk.  The position will assist hundreds of investigators and core facilities to accelerate and achieve research goals.  Reporting to the Executive Director Research Operations and as a domain knowledge expert, the position will participate in development of the strategy for use of a sustainable hybrid infrastructure for the Institute, enabling scientists to properly utilize cloud computing and storage capabilities.  

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Cloud Architecture Design and Management (20%)

• Architect a cloud-based platform, including network design, security, redundancy, account management and role-based permissions framework for use by cloud research computing specialists to containerize existing workflows and build cloud-native solutions to emergent research needs.
• Work with cloud research teams to ensure that we get maximum computational and storage value by intelligently using cloud options such as AWS spot market and preemptable VMs in GCP, and Amazon Deep Glacier archival storage.
• Facilitate the benefits of modern Object Storage systems and migrate workflows away from Posix file system dependencies to cloud-native using docker based workflows and object storage
• Develop and maintain tools 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 Project Support (35%)

• Working directly with computational biologists and core staff, help implement custom computational pipelines in the cloud, utilizing the most appropriate cloud-based solutions for each project. 
• Maintain an ecosystem of existing solutions which can be adapted to solve similar biological problems.
• Help researchers set up transfer of data to/from the cloud, navigating the balance between cost and ease-of-use. 
• Recommend new cloud-based platform services that increase computational productivity or enable new capabilities.
• Contribute documentation using Github or Confluence to a consolidated knowledgebase that covers cloud-based research computing and best practices for operational configuration of cloud resources

• Cloud Technical Training (20%)

• Provide architectural input to a cross-functional cloud architecture team and build relationships with other IT professionals and core bioinformatics staff at Salk and educate them about cloud based scientific computing.
• Develop training resources in the form of a central website/wiki designed to inform Salk scientists about cloud computing solutions at the Salk.
• Participate in the design/presentation of cloud compute informational seminars and workshops.

• Cloud Infrastructure Technical Support and Consulting (20%)

• Provide technical support and troubleshooting to resolve cloud-based computational and storage technical issues.
• Troubleshoot end-to-end data transfer and performance issues (including streaming of on-prem data sources into cloud-based analysis pipelines).
• Provide architectural input to a cross-functional cloud architecture team and build relationships with other IT professionals at Salk and educate them about cloud based scientific computing.
• Review Cloud architectures proposed by other teams for consistency with Institute guidelines on infrastructure design and security.
• Other Duties As Assigned (5%)
  • Performs other related duties as assigned by management.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• This job has no supervisory responsibilities.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• A minimum of 10 years administering and working with Linux systems of various flavors (Centos/Redhat preferred)
• 5+ years experience and deep knowledge of AWS and Google cloud services and their APIs, including popular storage, networking, security and automated provisioning tools
• Experience with various forms of infrastructure and application virtualization such as VMware, Docker, Singularity, Amazon Lambda (serverless computing)
• 5 years working with Python or other modern scripting language
• Extensive knowledge of cloud technologies required – including but not limited to S3, EC2, ECS, RDS, Glacier, and EBS
• Development and implementation of Cloud & Hybrid Cloud Strategies leveraging AWS or Google Cloud or similar
• Current hands-on experience providing modernization to a platform utilizing AWS or Google Cloud or similar
• Hands-on Cloud Architecture, Design, and Development experience
• Demonstrated experience moving data to and from the cloud in a cost-effective way at high speed
• Well-rounded knowledge of systems, network, security, storage, cloud products and technologies in Linux environments
• Advanced experience working with automated tools, scripting and working with batch-processing environments
• Familiarity with infrastructure as code concepts and infrastructure automation tools (terraform, cloud formation)
• Experience troubleshooting performance issues with Linux based computing environments, storage platforms and cloud-based networking infrastructure
• Knowledge of application, network and infrastructure security best practices
• Knowledge of tools and platforms to provide cloud application and security monitoring

COMPETENCIES:

• Analytical - Synthesizes complex or diverse information; Collects and researches data; Uses intuition and experience to complement data; Designs work flows and procedures.
• Customer Service - Manages difficult or emotional customer situations; Responds promptly to customer needs; Solicits customer feedback to improve service; Responds to requests for service and assistance; Meets commitments.
• 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.
• Interpersonal Skills - Focuses on solving conflict, not blaming; Maintains confidentiality; Listens to others without interrupting; Keeps emotions under control; Remains open to others' ideas and tries new things.
• Quality Management - Looks for ways to improve and promote quality; Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness.
• 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.

The expected pay range for this position is $100,00 to $131,000 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.

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 above is intended to describe the general content of and requirements for the performance of this job.  It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or physical requirements.  Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

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.