DGP Research Computing Support Specialist

University of Toronto; Toronto; On-site; CAD 109,000 - 141,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading educational institution in Toronto seeks a Research Computing Support Specialist to provide comprehensive computing support and system administration. This role involves managing complex IT projects, troubleshooting advanced technical issues, assisting academic staff, and ensuring efficient use of specialized lab equipment. Ideal candidates should have significant experience in technical support, strong problem-solving skills, and a commitment to assisting various research groups. The position offers competitive compensation and opportunities for professional development.

Benefits

Professional development opportunities

Supportive work environment

Health benefits

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in a highly technical IT environment.
• Experience troubleshooting complex IT problems.
• Experience with multi-camera optical systems and computer security.

Responsibilities

• Provide research computing support and system administration.
• Design and implement IT projects.
• Support DGP lab members with technical aspects of their research.

Skills

System administration

Problem-solving

Technical communication

Leadership

Linux/Unix scripting

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or related discipline

Tools

Linux

Microsoft Windows

Virtualization tools

Job description

DGP Research Computing Support Specialist

A job description is available upon request

Date Posted:12/22/2025
Req ID: 46499
Faculty/Division: Faculty of Arts & Science
Department: Dept of Computer Science
Campus:St. George (Downtown Toronto)
Position Number: 00028164
Existing Vacancy: Yes

About us

The Faculty of Arts & Science is the heart of Canada’s leading university and one of the most comprehensive and diverse academic divisions in the world. The strength of Arts & Science derives from our combined teaching and research excellence in the humanities, sciences and social sciences across 29 departments, seven colleges and 46 interdisciplinary centres, institutes and programs. We can only realize our mission with the dedication and excellence of engaged staff and faculty. The diversity of opportunities and perspectives within the Faculty reflect the local and global landscape and the need for curiosity, innovative thinking and collaboration. At Arts & Science, we take pride in our legacy of innovation and discovery that has changed the way we think about the world.

Your opportunity

The Dynamic Graphics Project (DGP) laboratory is the primary computer graphics, computational imaging, and human‑computer interaction research laboratory for the Department of Computer Science. Under the general direction of the DGP Director, the DGP Research Computing Support Specialist incumbent will provide research computing support, computer system administration, network administration and high‑level research technical support services directly for specific Computer Science research groups. The incumbent will assume the responsibility of a project leader for highly complex and highly technical IT projects for the research group(s) by providing technical leadership, system expertise, and support to the project. As the project leader, the incumbent will be responsible for monitoring the project from conception to completion. Responsibilities will include addressing timelines, tracking resources, managing tasks, selecting technology, establishing milestones, assigning responsibilities, and monitoring and communicating project status. Moreover, for the research groups served, the incumbent will analyze and troubleshoot highly complex and technical Computer Science IT problems and recommend technical solutions; write, modify, and correct computer software programs and scripts; operate, debug, maintain, repair, modify, test, and document computer systems, networks, equipment, hardware and software; design unique configurations of computers; and plan, evaluate, design, specify, install, implement, and configure new highly complex and technical computer systems, networks, equipment, hardware, and software.

Duties include: operating, analyzing, debugging, maintaining, modifying, upgrading and testing existing DGP Linux, Microsoft Windows, and other computer networks, compute/storage servers, workstations, printers, and software; and planning, evaluating, designing, specifying, installing, implementing, and configuring new systems, workstations, and software as required; operating, analyzing, installing, maintaining, modifying, and testing various specialized equipment in the lab, including but not limited to: multi‑camera optical motion capture systems, 2D and 3D laser scanners, video‑conferencing equipment, and makerspace equipment (e.g., soldering irons, 3D printers); assisting in evaluating, specifying, installing, implementing, and configuring new equipment as required; monitoring systems for problems, determining required course of action and implementing solutions; coordinating, monitoring and implementing the ordering and tracking of all equipment and supplies in the lab; writing technical documentation as required; supporting and advising DGP lab members in their use of all lab equipment; assisting DGP lab members with technical aspects of their research projects; taking on specific systems and technical administration projects as assigned; and assisting in the general ongoing operation of the lab.

Your responsibilities will include

• Planning and implementing IT systems independently
• Analyzing, troubleshooting and testing highly complex systems
• Designing, testing, and modifying programming code
• Analyzing, recommending and designing internal network solutions to meet client needs
• Analyzing business and operational requirements to plan the implementation of new IT systems
• Keeping well‑informed on current technologies, best practices and industry standards
• Leading and planning IT projects
• Serving as a resource on specific issues to a group of specialists

Essential Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science, computer engineering or related discipline, and/or acceptable equivalent combination of education and experience, including project management courses/experience.
• Five (5) years of recent system administration experience in a highly technical and complex heterogeneous IT environment, developing academic computing solutions preferably for a computing academic discipline. At least three of those years must be in a UNIX/Linux system administration role.
• Experience analyzing and troubleshooting complex IT & system problems.
• Experience writing, modifying, and correcting scripts on Linux/Unix platform(s).
• Experience with virtualization, printing, backups, research programming, computational clusters, security, networking, open‑source software, databases, email servers, automated operating system installs, fileservers/data storage, and technical documentation.
• Demonstrated leadership skills with experience providing project leadership, including technical leadership, system expertise, and support to other technical staff projects.
• Experience collaborating on IT purchase recommendations and independently costing IT projects.
• Exposure to a research environment; experience with one or more of multi‑camera optical motion capture systems, 2D and 3D laser scanners, video‑conferencing equipment, and makerspace equipment (e.g., soldering irons, 3D printers); experience in computer security; and experience in integrating MS Windows with Linux and/or UNIX are all highly desirable.
• Excellent verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to deal with people in a tactful and effective manner and the ability to communicate with both technical and non‑technical people at their own level, explaining possibly complex technical concepts to a wide variety of non‑technical users.
• Good problem‑solving skills, detail‑oriented.
• Demonstrated aptitude to quickly learn and become proficient with new technical equipment, such as audio‑visual equipment, electronics prototyping, and 2D and 3D printing.
• Proven ability to provide expert technical resources to others.
• Clear and demonstrated ability to design, plan, analyze and improve systems, follow good system administration discipline and practice, and operationalize sustainable processes to meet the goals and mission of the research group(s) served.
• Ability to lift/move desktop and server computer equipment.
• Ability to work independently, or as part of a team.
• Must maintain broad technical knowledge, and be able to adapt as needed in a highly dynamic, research‑intensive Computer Science environment.
• Significant responsibility and reliability under pressure are required.

To be successful in this role you will be

• Insightful
• Multi‑tasker
• Organized
• Proactive

This role may be eligible for an Alternative Work Arrangement in accordance with the University of Toronto's Alternative Work Arrangements Guideline.

For internal staff, a copy of the detailed job description is available upon request from the Faculty of Arts and Science HR Office by emailing: [e-mail].

Closing Date: 01/12/2026, 11:59PM ET
Employee Group: USW
Appointment Date: Budget - Continuing
Schedule: Full-Time
Pay Scale Group & Hiring Zone:
USW Pay Band 17 -- $109,761. with an annual step progression to a maximum of $140,365. Pay scale and job class assignment is subject to determination pursuant to the Job Evaluation/Pay Equity Maintenance Protocol.

Lived Experience Statement
Candidates who are members of Indigenous, Black, racialized and 2SLGBTQ+ communities, persons with disabilities, and other equity deserving groups are encouraged to apply, and their lived experience shall be taken into consideration as applicable to the posted position.

Diversity Statement

The University of Toronto embraces Diversity and is building a culture of belonging that increases our capacity to effectively address and serve the interests of our global community. We strongly encourage applications from Indigenous Peoples, Black and racialized persons, women, persons with disabilities, and people of diverse sexual and gender identities. We value applicants who have demonstrated a commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion and recognize that diverse perspectives, experiences, and expertise are essential to strengthening our academic mission. As part of your application, you will be asked to complete a brief Diversity Survey. This survey is voluntary. Any information directly related to you is confidential and cannot be accessed by search committees or human resources staff. Results will be aggregated for institutional planning purposes. For more information, please see http://uoft.me/UP.

Accessibility Statement

The University strives to be an equitable and inclusive community, and proactively seeks to increase diversity among its community members. Our values regarding equity and diversity are linked with our unwavering commitment to excellence in the pursuit of our academic mission.

The University is committed to the principles of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). As such, we strive to make our recruitment, assessment and selection processes as accessible as possible and provide accommodations as required for applicants with disabilities.

If you require any accommodations at any point during the application and hiring process, please contact [e-mail].