Specialist - Research-Continuing

Michigan State University; East Lansing (MI); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Michigan State University is seeking a Research Computing Facilitator to collaborate with researchers using high-performance computing resources across MSU and Henry Ford Health. The role includes enabling secure data research on restricted data and providing hands-on support via the HPCC Help Desk.

The position emphasizes developing training materials and contributing to research software, datasets, and workflows, with hybrid work arrangements and a Fall 2026 start potential.

Qualifications

• PhD in any field that includes a significant research computing component.
• Research experience applying advanced computing to solve research problems.
• Strong technical and problem-solving skills, including Linux command line experience and programming with modern languages (R, Python, or C++).
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Engage and collaborate with MSU and Henry Ford Health researchers using advanced computing resources (HPCC, NSF ACCESS, HPC, cloud).
• Facilitate use of a high-security computing cluster for research with restricted data.
• Support HPCC users via Help Desk, 1:1 and small-group sessions, and office hours.
• Collaborate to develop proposals, papers, public datasets, and open-source software; provide extended collaborative support.
• Develop, implement, and refine training materials for research computing and data through workshops, tutorials, and docs.
• Engage with the national research computing effort through workshops, conferences, and networking.

Skills

Linux command line

Python

R

C++

Verbal and written communication

Education

PhD in any field with research computing component

Tools

VirtualBox

Parallels Desktop

Docker

Singularity

Job description

Responsibilities

This facilitation includes direct user support as well as broader participation in project development and research activities. The core duties and responsibilities in this role include:

• Engaging and collaborating with MSU and Henry Ford Health researchers who use (or plan to use) advanced computational resources in their research, including MSU’s High Performance Computing Center (HPCC), NSF ACCESS resources, high-throughput computing, and cloud computing.
• Facilitating the utilization of a high-security computing cluster that will be used for research using restricted data (e.g., human medical data, export-controlled data).
• Supporting MSU HPCC users through one-on-one and small-group interactions, through the HPCC Help Desk, and via online or in-person office hours.
• Collaborating with MSU and Henry Ford Health researchers to develop proposals, papers, public datasets, and open-source software to conduct and disseminate research. This may include extended collaborative support efforts as well as performing research.
• Developing, implementing, and refining training materials relating to research computing and research data through synchronous and asynchronous workshops, web-based tutorials, and documentation.
• Engaging with the broader national research computing effort through participation in workshops, conferences, and training and networking activities.

Position Summary

Research Computing Facilitators typically work with researchers both in person and remotely, and ICER works in a hybrid (partially in-person) work environment. While we anticipate that a successful applicant would start in Fall 2026, a later start date may be possible.

For consideration under this posting, a candidate must be a U.S. citizen.

Professional Misconduct Review

As an institution of higher learning, Michigan State University is committed to providing a safe environment for its students, faculty, and staff in support of its educational mission. With this commitment, the University conducts criminal background checks and professional misconduct reviews of all applicants for employment in faculty, academic staff, and executive management searches.

A professional misconduct review is a prerequisite for a candidate to be selected for this position. Applicants will be asked to disclose whether they are subject to any pending investigation, findings or sanctions related to professional misconduct. Professional misconduct includes misconduct related to a person’s employment, including, but not limited to, theft, embezzlement, research integrity, discrimination, or harassment under civil rights laws and policies, including protected identity harassment, sexual harassment, sexual misconduct (sexual assault, sexual exploitation, dating violence, domestic violence, stalking, etc.), and retaliation. All applicants will be asked to sign an authorization and release, which authorizes the University to contact the candidate’s current and former employers, for a period of 7 years prior to the date of application, related to any pending investigations, findings of responsibility and/or sanctions related to professional misconduct. Nothing will be sent to current or former employers unless the candidate reaches the semi-finalist stage.

The existence of professional misconduct history does not automatically exclude a candidate from employment. The University will assess the history, including any information provided by the candidate, in determining whether it is compatible with the position. The University may decline to hire a candidate based on the professional misconduct review. All records obtained from external employers will be kept in a secure location, separate from personnel files. If an applicant fails to sign the authorization and release, the application will be deemed incomplete and will be withdrawn.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability or protected veteran status.

Required Degree

Doctorate -PhD in any field that included a significant research computing component.

Minimum Requirements

• A PhD in any field that included a significant research computing component.
• Research experience that includes the application of advanced computing to solve research problems.
• Strong technical and problem-solving skills, including Linux command line experience and programming experience with a modern language such as R, Python, or C++.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.

Desired Qualifications

• Experience with computational research relating to human health (e.g., genomics, medical imaging).
• Experience with creating and using virtual machines (with, e.g., VirtualBox or Parallels Desktop), software containers (with, e.g., Docker, Singularity, or a similar tool), and/or creating workflows using these tools.
• Experience in developing research-focused software applications, particularly using modern software development tools such as version control and continuous integration.
• Experience with developing data analysis and/or data management pipelines in high-level scripting languages.
• Experience with the management or coordination of research software development projects, particularly in an open source/community context.
• Experience with machine learning and/or artificial intelligence techniques to solve scientific problems (including, e.g., the use of common tools such as PyTorch, TensorFlow, Keras, scikit-learn, Hugging Face).
• Training in, or professional experience contributing toward, the development of skills such as research facilitation, conflict negotiation, communication, teamwork, leadership, and/or project management in the context of multidisciplinary research teams.
• Experience with proposal development and/or coordination.

Required Application Materials

Resume, cover letter and three professional references.

Special Instructions

Application Review

Applications will be reviewed beginning September 14, 2026. Late submissions will be considered if a suitable candidate pool is not identified by the deadline. Please contact Dr. Brian O’Shea, ICER Director, at [e-mail] for more information.

Review of Applications Begins On

09/14/2026

Website

ICER.MSU.EDU

MSU Statement

Michigan State University has been advancing the common good with uncommon will for more than 160 years. One of the top research universities in the world, MSU pushes the boundaries of discovery and forges enduring partnerships to solve the most pressing global challenges while providing life-changing opportunities to a diverse and inclusive academic community through more than 200 programs of study in 17 degree-granting colleges.