ACENET Digital Research Consultant – Faculty of Graduate Studies (Grant Funded)

Term: As soon as possible to March 31, 2025 (Term may be reduced or extended depending on performance, available funding, and departmental requirements)

The University of Prince Edward Island (UPEI) and ACENET (an Atlantic regional partner of the Digital Research Alliance of Canada) are seeking a Digital Research Consultant at the UPEI campus in Charlottetown, to assist academic and industry clients in their digital research infrastructure (DRI) endeavors and to navigate resources available through ACENET and the Digital Research Alliance of Canada (Alliance).

Established in 2003, ACENET is a consortium of universities and community colleges in Atlantic Canada providing researchers in academia and industry with DRI resources, tools, software, training, and support. For more information on ACENET, please visit https://www.ace-net.ca/.

ACENET’s central mission is to help researchers get their research done. We do this by providing them with tools and services that are relevant at various stages of the data and research lifecycle, including advanced computing resources (high-performance computing and/or cloud computing) and services, data management support, and technical skills development.

Based at the Charlottetown campus, the ACENET/UPEI Digital Research Consultant will work with researchers at UPEI, but also at partner universities in Atlantic Canada, to support their digital research needs by solving technical problems and providing training workshops. This position offers the flexibility to take a focus of either advanced research computing or research data management, depending on the background of the person hired. It will appeal to a motivated self-starter and relationship-builder comfortable in both academic and industry settings, with responsibilities extending throughout Atlantic Canada, and nationally. The position reports directly to the ACENET Chief Technology Officer and works alongside the network of other ACENET Digital Research Consultants at Atlantic universities.

Learn more about working with ACENET at https://www.ace-net.ca/careers.html

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Consult with clients, both new and experienced, to provide support and expertise in the advanced digital tools aspects of the research lifecycle. Depending on the candidate’s background and expertise, topics of consultation will include: high-performance computing, parallel programming, code optimization, data analytics, data management plans, identifying storage solutions most appropriate for the data, metadata standards and crosswalks, and/or active data management best practices
• Assist researchers, both new and experienced, in all aspects of using ACENET and Alliance computing and/or data management resources, tackling problems from small to large
• Develop and deliver training, workshops, seminars and information sessions around advanced computing and/or research data management technologies, approaches, and methodologies
• Establish and maintain relationships with research groups to ensure ACENET is meeting their current needs and is preparing for their future needs
• Ensure client support issues are addressed in a timely manner
• Evaluate and recommend new technologies, services, and software tools
• Work with a distributed technical team to continuously improve ACENET’s service delivery
• Participate in relevant Alliance national committees, working groups, and research support activities
• Undertake other duties as required

QUALIFICATIONS:

• A degree in a STEM discipline with experience in advanced computing, or an ALA accredited Master of Information/Master of Library and Information Science with experience in research data management. Consideration will be given to an equivalent combination of education and experience
• Demonstrated technical proficiency applying digital solutions
• Excellent written and verbal English communication skills, and the ability to translate scientific and technical terms into plain language
• The ability to work both independently and as part of a team with minimal supervision
• Experience working in a university libraries environment or academic research environment
• Experience preparing and delivering tutorials, workshops, lectures, or seminars

We try to ensure our team members have complementary skill sets that address most of the disciplinary areas of our clients. As such, experience in one or more of the below listed skills will be considered an asset:

• Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Deep Learning, TensorFlow
• GPU computing: CUDA, OpenACC, or OpenCL
• Parallel computing and use of HPC environments
• Ability to develop, program, and query databases
• Server management skills (Docker, server deployment/maintenance, Apache Hadoop or Spark)
• Basic web development (HTML, JavaScript, Vue, FTP, SSH)
• Data analytics and data visualization
• Knowledge of scholarly publishing / scholar communications / digital humanities
• Knowledge of Tri-Agency Open access Policy on Publications, the Tri-Agency Statement of Principles on Digital Data Management, and the Tri-Agency Research Data Management Policy
• Knowledge of the FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable) Principles and CARE principles for Indigenous Data Governance.
• Familiarity with metadata standards and formats used in research (e.g. Dublin Core, DDI, DataCite, DOI, ORCID)
• Familiarity with institutional, data, or discipline repository systems (eg. Dataverse, Islandora, Dspace)
• Familiarity with statistical analysis and data refinement software (e.g., OpenRefine, SAS, SPSS, R)
• Familiarity with content management systems (eg. WordPress, Drupal)
• Experience preparing and delivering tutorials, workshops, lectures, or seminars
• Experience in multiple programming languages (such as R, Python, C/C++, Fortran)
• Experience using IaaS and PaaS cloud offerings on AWS or GCP
• Fluency in French

UPEI is committed to equity, diversity, inclusion, and reconciliation and believes in providing a positive learning and working environment where every person feels empowered to contribute. UPEI is committed to the principle of equity in employment and encourages applications from underrepresented groups including women, Indigenous peoples, visible minorities, persons with disabilities, persons of any sexual orientation or gender identity, and others with the skills and knowledge to productively engage with diverse communities.

Only those applicants who are invited to an interview will be acknowledged.

UPEI encourages all qualified applicants to apply for job openings; however, in keeping with the terms and provisions of the university’s various employment and collective agreements, first priority will be given to internal candidates.