"System Administrator - Research Computing, UMKC Foundation Services (95771)"

Hiring Department

UMKC Foundation Services Department within the Information Services unit

Job Description

The University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC) is seeking a System Administrator to support our growing research computing infrastructure. This position will work closely with faculty and research staff to manage scientific computing environments, including high-performance computing (HPC) clusters and specialized research servers, both on-premises and in the cloud.

The ideal candidate will bring strong system administration skills, particularly in Linux environments, and a collaborative approach to supporting researchers with technical solutions. While approximately half of the role involves public cloud systems (e.g., AWS and GCP), a primary focus is on maintaining and expanding the university's on-premises research computing capabilities.

Most of the work can be performed remotely; however, on-site presence is required at least one day per week, with additional on-site days as needed based on project or operational requirements. This person will be required to have a cell phone so we can communicate during non-business hours when necessary.

Key Responsibilities

• Administer and support on-premises HPC clusters and research servers
• Provide technical support and consultation for research computing projects
• Collaborate with faculty and research teams to implement and troubleshoot scientific applications
• Support hybrid infrastructure that includes both local and cloud-based environments
• Maintain system security and compliance, including support for HIPAA and other regulated data types
• Contribute to planning for system lifecycle, capacity, and resource needs
• Develop and improve automation using scripting and configuration management tools

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in computer science, information systems, or a related field-or an equivalent combination of education, training, and at least two years of relevant experience
• Strong Linux systems administration skills
• 2+ years' experience with public cloud technologies (e.g., AWS, GCP)
• Effective written and verbal communication skills for both technical and non-technical audiences
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, agile environment

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience administering systems in an academic or research setting
• Knowledge of HPC technologies such as SLURM or OpenMPI
• Familiarity with containerization tools such as Docker and Kubernetes
• Experience with automation tools such as Puppet, Terraform, or Ansible
• Basic programming or scripting skills (e.g., Bash, Python)

Anticipated Hiring Range

$80,000 to $84,000 commensurate with experience, education, and internal equity.

Application Deadline

Open until filled, review of applications to begin immediately. Apply today!

Sponsorship Information

Visa Sponsorship Information:
Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States. The University will not sponsor applicants for this position for employment visas.

Benefit Eligibility

This position is eligible for University benefits. As part of your total compensation, the University offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental and vision plans, retirement, paid time off, short- and long-term disability, paid parental leave, paid caregiver leave, and educational fee discounts for all four UM System campuses. For additional information on University benefits, please visit the Faculty & Staff Benefits website at https://www.umsystem.edu/totalrewards/benefits.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of Missouri is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

To request ADA accommodations, please call the Office of Equity & Title IX at 816-235-6910.