Research Computing Technician

This position is a part of the Non-Academic Staff Association (NASA).

This position offers a comprehensive benefits package which can be viewed at: Faculty & Staff Benefits .

Location - Work primarily takes place at North Campus, Edmonton

Working for the University of Alberta

The University of Alberta acknowledges that we are located on Treaty 6 territory, and respects the histories, languages and cultures of First Nations, Métis, Inuit and all First Peoples of Canada, whose presence continues to enrich our vibrant community.

The University of Alberta is teeming with change makers, community builders, and world shapers who lead with purpose each and every day. We are home to more than 40,000 students in 200+ undergraduate and 500+ graduate programs, over 13,000 faculty and staff, 260,000 alumni worldwide and have been recognized as one of Canada’s Greenest Employers for over a decade.

Your work will have a meaningful influence on a fascinating cross section of people—from our students and stakeholders, to our renowned researchers and innovators who are quite literally curing diseases, making discoveries and generating solutions that make the world healthier, safer, stronger, and more just.

Working for the Faculty of Engineering

The Faculty of Engineering at the University of Alberta has been passionate about innovative solutions for the world’s most pressing issues since our first students graduated in 1913. We prepare the next generation of engineering professionals by giving students unparalleled education with world-class instructors, hands-on lab and field experiences, and internship opportunities. Our students and our alumni are known both for their academic achievements alongside their commitment to the betterment of the Engineering profession and society as a whole. We look to grow our programs to more than 6000 undergraduate and 2000 graduate students by 2026.

Position Summary

Reporting to the Research IT Team Lead, the Research computing technician is responsible for administering Linux applications that run critical engineering services for research groups, providing tech support and manages installations and setup. This position will support various IT initiatives related to conducting research, analysis and project work. 

Duties

• Administer Linux applications that run critical engineering license services
• Acquire and maintain all FOE software licenses
• Apply system and security patches as in defined guidelines and best practices
• Administration of Web based applications running on Linux hosts
• Provide input in developing standards for servers - operating systems, security policies, best practices
• Assist with disaster recovery and application restore tests as in defined guidelines to ensure business continuity
• Monitor all applications and services to ensure availability and efficiency of services
• Monitor and reviews application logs
• Follow established procedures in fulfilling client requests (database clones, maintenance procedures, SSL cert renewals)
• Proactively and reactively hand alerts produced by the central monitoring service
• Coordinate outage windows with clients and teams when necessary
• Document any information gaps on new and existing applications and services
• Leverage automation technologies to help with Linux application administration
• File system configuration and maintenance
• Remote access configuration and maintenance
• Create training reference materials to ensure that frequently asked questions and common solutions are available and proactively promote to members of the FOE
• Consult with end-users to identify areas for improvement; recommends and implements changes
• Work with Engineering IT team in providing on-site support by addressing Help Desk tickets, responding to phone calls, walk-in clients, or other means of requesting assistance
• Respond to trouble-shooting calls from research groups to assist in their group machines and research lab equipment and complete routine requests such as hardware installation, installing licensed software, and applying EnggIT research image
• Assist clients in the use of standard workstation 
• Set up research computers, installs and updates EnggIT images on the deployment server (SCCM)
• Provide clients with advice and coordinate during purchase and coordinates with central IST team when needed
• Maintain current asset information in Faculty Equipment Inventory Database
• Test and deploy workstations
• Be responsible for documenting all service requests and resolution
• Provide technical expertise in delivering new services, troubleshooting problems
• Document systems architecture, configuration, critical procedures and actions to be taken in troubleshooting problems
• Execute project work plans and suggests revisions and needed to support changing requirements
• Work with central IST Team for campus wide IT services provided by that team

Qualifications

• Minimum undergraduate degree from an accredited university in a related field required
• Solid understanding of computer fundamentals and networking in Linux environment
• Fluent with Linux distributions (CentOS, Red Hat, Ubuntu, SUSE etc.)
• A+ Certification or equivalent computer experience
• MCP, or working on a MCSE is encouraged but not required
• Minimum of 1 year of relevant work experience, including front-line customer service in an IT environment
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Fluent in Windows 10 and 11 and Microsoft office suite

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with and understanding of Apple Macintosh OS is an asset
• Manage user permissions/rights management, ACLs, ftp/file shares
• Programming/scripting experience with sh/ksh/bash, C, Perl, Python  
• Working knowledge of Windows server (2016 and 2019)
• Working knowledge of systems security, cloud technology, clusters and automation tools
• Knowledge of Veeam backup and replication is an asset
• Knowledge of VMware vSphere, ESXi and VSAN will be an asset

How to Apply

Along with your resume, please submit a cover letter that outlines why you believe you are the right person for this position.

Also, in your cover letter, please provide a detailed answer to the following question: “How will you contribute to a culture of trust, effectiveness and innovation in the Faculty of Engineering?”

Note: Online applications are accepted until midnight Mountain Standard Time of the closing date.

We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those individuals selected for an interview will be contacted.