Research Lab & Systems Administrator

Morgan State University; Washington (District of Columbia, MD); On-site; USD 80,000 - 105,000; Full time

Job summary

Morgan State University is seeking a Research Lab & Systems Administrator to support lab and HPC environments, software, and network security. The role includes training students and researchers, managing licenses, and coordinating with the university’s IT division in Washington, DC.

Responsibilities cover OS administration, data workflows, and cybersecurity practices, with a salary range of $80,000 to $105,000 per year. Strong scripting and multi-OS skills are essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, or related field.
• At least three years of hands-on systems administration in HPC or research lab.
• Or an Associate’s degree in a computer-related field with 6 years of relevant experience.
• Ability to document systems, train users, and manage lab operations.
• Experience with cloud services (AWS, Azure) and ML tools is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Install, configure, and maintain Windows, Linux, and macOS in lab and staff devices.
• Manage user accounts and access controls with campus DIT.
• Oversee inventory, health, and replacement cycles of computing hardware.
• Support GPU-enabled workstations and HPC environments for analytics.
• Assist researchers with data workflows, preprocessing, training, and analysis.
• Troubleshoot performance during peak research periods.
• Install and update software including R, Python, MATLAB, SAS, SPSS, Tableau, and Power BI.
• Ensure license compliance and coordinate with DIT.
• Provide onboarding and training to students and interns.

Skills

Troubleshooting

Communication

Documentation

Scripting

Lab operations

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science/Information Systems

Associate’s Degree in a computer-related field

Tools

R

Python

MATLAB

SAS

SPSS

Tableau

Power BI

Job description

Posting Summary

Job Title Research Lab & Systems Administrator Division Divison of Academic Affairs Department DASGR CENTER Work Status Full Time Position Category Staff FLSA Exempt Pay Range Exempt Salary Range $80,000 - $105,000 / year Fund Source State Support Job Summary

Job Duties

Lab and System Administration

• Install, configure, and maintain Windows, Linux, and macOS operating systems across lab and staff computers.
• Assist with user account issues by coordinating with campus DIT staff, Active Directory permissions, workstation policies, and data access controls.
• Manage and document the inventory, health, and replacement cycle of all computing equipment.

High-Performance Computing (HPC) And Research Support

• Support and maintain GPU-enabled workstations and HPC environments used for analytics and AI applications.
• Assist researchers in developing and executing data workflows, including data preprocessing, model training, and output analysis.
• Troubleshoot performance issues and ensure proper system utilization during peak research periods.

Software And Application Management

• Install, configure, and manage a range of academic and research tools, including R, Python, MATLAB, SAS, SPSS, Tableau, and Power BI.
• Maintain software licensing compliance and coordinate with DIT to leverage existing institutional licenses and avoid duplication.
• Provide software support and updates across operating systems.

Networking And Security

• Maintain and monitor Wi-Fi, switches, routers, and firewall configurations.
• Implement and enforce cybersecurity policies, including backups, MFA, encryption, and system patching.
• Collaborate with DIT to ensure alignment with university-wide IT standards and to expedite advanced network or cybersecurity issues.

Student Training And Technical Support

• Provide onboarding and training to students, research assistants, and interns on the use of lab equipment and software tools.
• Support students working with faculty on data analytics, gaming simulations, and predictive modeling.
• Develop user guides, SOPs, and lab best-practice documentation.

University IT Coordination

• Maintain regular contact with the University’s Division of IT for VPN access, cloud storage, and system integration.
• Coordinate access to centralized software, licensing, and storage to reduce unnecessary expenses.
• Ensure that systems at the Center are compliant with the university’s security and identity management protocols.

Requested Minimum Qualifications

Education

The successful candidate must have a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, or a related field, from an accredited college or University.

Experience

At least three (3) years of experience in hands-on systems administration within a high-performance computing or research lab environment.

OR

In lieu of a Bachelor’s Degree, an Associate’s Degree in a Computer-related field and 6 years of progressively responsible systems administration experience may be considered.

Other Preferences for Consideration

• Demonstrated ability to work independently, proactively resolve technical issues, and manage lab operations.
• Experience supporting and managing multiple high-performance computing workstations.
• Prior experience supporting student users and academic research labs.
• Familiarity with cloud services (AWS, Azure) and hybrid computing environments.
• Experience with machine learning tools or AI libraries such as TensorFlow, PyTorch, and scikit-learn.
• Experience managing networked systems, including firewalls and access points, in an independent office setting.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Strong troubleshooting skills in multi-platform environments (Windows, Linux, macOS).
• Strong communication skills, especially for supporting faculty and student researchers.
• Ability to document systems, prepare training guides, and maintain technical logs.
• Commitment to data security, user access control, and responsible technology use in academic environments.
• Proficiency in basic scripting (Bash, Python, PowerShell) for automation and configuration tasks.