Senior Academic Computing and Operations Specialist

Job Description Summary

We are seeking a dynamic and highly skilled Senior Academic Computing and Operations Specialist to join our Academic Technology Center at Bentley University. The successful candidate will be responsible for providing comprehensive technical and operational support for research computing (RC) environment and hardware and software infrastructure in Bentley’s high-tech learning labs and centers including the financial trading room. In addition, this role will also assist faculty and other academic requests for emerging technologies, including hardware and software. This role involves working closely with faculty, lab directors, IT teams, and external vendors to ensure that our labs and other academic offerings are in line with state-of-the-art technology to support both teaching and cutting-edge research.

The ideal candidate will have expertise in managing research computing environments and the ability to manage complex projects across hardware and software platforms.

Essential Duties:

Management of Research Computing Environment

• Assist (and lead) in the design, configuration, support, and maintenance of Bentley’s research computing (RC) environments, including high-performance computing (HPC) and high-speed storage systems at scale.

• Track and analyze performance metrics to ensure efficient use of IT resources, both currently and for future growth.

• Work closely with internal IT teams (network, security, systems, ATC) to provide timely and effective support for research computing needs.

• Assist in managing and tracking budgets for the RC environment, ensuring fiscal responsibilities and alignment with institutional goals.

• Install and configure research-specific applications and software tools to ensure seamless integration and functionality within the research environments.

• Provide onboarding, training, and support or faculty researchers in the use of advanced RC systems, tools, and software to enhance research productivity.
   

Learning Labs, Centers, and Spaces

• Partner with lab and center directors to evaluate, recommend, and implement hardware and software solutions that align with Bentley’s mission to integrate technology with business, arts, and sciences.

• Oversee the integration and management of data feeds, displays, and applications in the learning lab spaces, ensuring secure operations.

• Assist and partner with faculty, lab directors and managers on academic software purchases, computer image management, and deployment for centers and labs.

• Support Bentley’s pre-college programs utilizing lab and center spaces.
   

Other Duties:

• Assist with initiatives focused on designing, developing, and implementing artificial intelligence (AI) and large language model (LLM) applications that enhance academic offerings.

• Assist in the deployment and management of specialized devices such as VR headsets, RC machines, and other emerging technologies, supporting innovating teaching and research methodologies.

• Stay abreast of emerging technologies in the fields of research computing, HPC, AI, and lab management to keep Bentley’s academic labs and research environments at the cutting edge of innovation.

• Ensure compliance with institutional policies and industry standards for data security and privacy.

• Contribute to strategic planning efforts related to technology infrastructure, ensuring that future computing needs for research and learning spaces are anticipated and met.

• Manage tickets related to infrastructure.
   

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science, information systems, or related field.

• A minimum of two years of experience managing computing infrastructure.

• Understanding of research computing infrastructure, including high-performance computing and high-speed data storage systems.

• Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to explain technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders.

• Knowledge of data security principles and compliance requirements in research environments.

• Ability to work independently, manage competing priorities, and proactively solve problems.
   

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree preferred.

• Broad knowledge of the deployment and management of RC systems (e.g. storage, cluster computing, network, database, virtualized systems).

• Experience managing labs and high-tech environments, particularly in academic settings.

• Previous experience suppo