About the Job
The Continental Scientific Drilling (CSD) Facility is part of the University of Minnesota College of Science and Engineering in the School of Earth & Environmental
Sciences. Funding for the CSD Facility is provided by the National Science Foundation. The CSD Facility provides leadership and services for the communities of scientists requiring drilling, coring, and subsurface surveys and monitoring on Earth’s continents, on land and in lakes, serving hundreds of research projects annually.
The Researcher Pro 5 (CSD Facility title: Data Architect) duties are designed to fulfill and support the Facility data and cyberinfrastructure roles, in collaboration with other senior staff. The successful candidate will be dynamic, creative, self-motivated, eager to learn, and prepared to engage with a large and diverse scientific community.
Job Duties/Responsibilities:
Functions:
- (25%) Strategic leadership:
- Analyze Facility information flows in the office, field, lab,
and repository, and review community best practices, standards,
scope of upcoming research projects, and available system
capabilities to design appropriate technological solutions to
transform facility operations through integrated data management
and data system alignment and readiness for artificial intelligence
(AI). Includes components related to project development, field
data collection, sample metadata, lab analyses, collections
management, contacts, projects, funding, publications, and
others.
- Analyze Facility information flows in the office, field, lab,
and repository, and review community best practices, standards,
scope of upcoming research projects, and available system
capabilities to design appropriate technological solutions to
transform facility operations through integrated data management
and data system alignment and readiness for artificial intelligence
(AI). Includes components related to project development, field
data collection, sample metadata, lab analyses, collections
management, contacts, projects, funding, publications, and
others.
- (65%) Development:
- In collaboration with other Facility staff, facility visitors,
community researchers, and partner institutions, develop and
maintain tools and systems aligned with a data architecture that
meets present and future Facility needs, and those of the
distributed community. Includes databases, application programming
interfaces, desktop and web applications, scripts, user interfaces,
virtual machines, servers, hardware, and related components, and
system alignment with and readiness for AI. Identify and pursue
funding opportunities, managing or contributing substantially to
grant proposals, serving as PI or co-PI when appropriate, and
manage project and/or grant budgets.
- In collaboration with other Facility staff, facility visitors,
community researchers, and partner institutions, develop and
maintain tools and systems aligned with a data architecture that
meets present and future Facility needs, and those of the
distributed community. Includes databases, application programming
interfaces, desktop and web applications, scripts, user interfaces,
virtual machines, servers, hardware, and related components, and
system alignment with and readiness for AI. Identify and pursue
funding opportunities, managing or contributing substantially to
grant proposals, serving as PI or co-PI when appropriate, and
manage project and/or grant budgets.
- (5%) Assessment:
- Provide technical and procedural training, management, and
support for researchers in the operation of laboratory equipment,
instrumentation, and workflows, and in the use of specialized
software packages and tools for data capture, processing, and
visualization. Perform data quality assessments, process data to
facility standards, distribute data to project teams and other
researchers, and assess process performance through data analysis.
Support and maintain facility information technology resources:
computers, peripherals, servers, software subscriptions, and
linkages with other community data resources. Leverage user
experiences to assess system effectiveness and design further
improvements to address gaps and inefficiencies.
- Provide technical and procedural training, management, and
support for researchers in the operation of laboratory equipment,
instrumentation, and workflows, and in the use of specialized
software packages and tools for data capture, processing, and
visualization. Perform data quality assessments, process data to
facility standards, distribute data to project teams and other
researchers, and assess process performance through data analysis.
Support and maintain facility information technology resources:
computers, peripherals, servers, software subscriptions, and
linkages with other community data resources. Leverage user
experiences to assess system effectiveness and design further
improvements to address gaps and inefficiencies.
- (5%) Support other facility functions in the field, lab, office, and at meetings and conferences as assigned.
Please note, this position is not eligible for H-1B or Green Card sponsorship. This position does not offer a STEM OPT training program.
Qualifications
Required Qualifications:
- Master's degree with one or more years of research training
- Working knowledge of:
- Artificial Intelligence systems
- Database: Design and development
- Languages: Java, PHP, MySQL, HTML, XML, Python, R, or similar
- Platforms: Windows, MacOS, Unix/Linux
- Ability to learn new frameworks, systems, platforms, and hardware
- Strong communication skills, strong organizational skills, and proficiency in English
- Ability to organize tasks, multi-task, and prioritize work to meet deadlines, independently or coordinating group activity
- Proficiency in standard software applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Google App Suite)
- Ability to travel to domestic and international destinations
- Advanced degree
- Background in geoscience related field
- Experience in research involving drilling or core sampling
- Experience with National Science Foundation grant management
- Familiarity with the US Continental Scientific Drilling community
- Strong organizational, time management, analytical, and planning skills
- Experience working in a fast-paced environment on multiple projects and re-prioritizing tasks as needed to meet all deadlines successfully
- Demonstrated commitment to quality and attention to
detail
The Department of Earth & Environmental Sciences is a vibrant interdisciplinary department whose faculty’s research ranges from paleoclimate to deep earth dynamics.
The Department is in the School of Earth & Environmental Sciences ( www.cse.umn.edu/esci ) which also includes the Institute for Rock Magnetism, the Continental Scientific Drilling Coordination Facility, the Minnesota Geological Survey, and the Polar Geospatial Center. The majority of the School resides in John T. Tate Hall on the Minneapolis campus, with some labs on the St. Paul campus. Other affiliated research units at the University include the Saint Anthony Falls Laboratory, the Institute on the Environment, and the BioTechnology Institute.
Pay and Benefits
Pay Range: $70,000 - $83,000 annually ; depending on education/qualifications/experience
Time Appointment: 100% Appointment
Position Type: Faculty and P&A Staff
Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.
The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:
- Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
- Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
- Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
- Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
- University HSA contributions
- Disability and employer-paid life insurance
- Employee wellbeing program
- Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
- Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
- Financial counseling services
- Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost
- Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area
How To Apply
Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will have the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume or CV.
To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail [contact details available in the full listing].
Diversity
The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.
The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu
Employment Requirements
Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.
About University of Minnesota
The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)
The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.
At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by Forbes as a Best Employer for Company Culture (2026), Best Employer for Women (2023, 2025, 2026), and Best Employer by State [contact details available in the full listing]). In 2026, we also received Culture Excellence & Industry Awards recognition for employee appreciation and work-life flexibility.
