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Director Research Computing Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

Systems Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site

$150K - $300K/yr

Systems Engineer Infrastructure & Research Computing Aquatic Capital Management Chicago, IL ... You are direct, give well-reasoned dissenting opinions when you have them, and do not let ideas ...

Systems Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site

$150K - $300K/yr

Systems Engineer Infrastructure & Research Computing Aquatic Capital Management • Chicago, IL • ... You are direct, give well-reasoned dissenting opinions when you have them, and do not let ideas ...

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Director Research Computing information

See Chicago, IL salary details

$16K

$123.6K

$161.2K

How much do director research computing jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 9, 2026, the average yearly pay for director research computing in Chicago, IL is $123,582.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $110,200.00 and $145,200.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a director of research computing, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Director of Research Computing, you need advanced expertise in computational science, IT infrastructure, and leadership, often supported by a graduate degree in a relevant field. Familiarity with high-performance computing (HPC) systems, cloud platforms, data storage solutions, and project management tools, as well as certifications like PMP or ITIL, are commonly required. Strong communication, strategic planning, and collaboration skills set outstanding candidates apart in this role. These competencies are crucial for effectively leading technical teams, supporting complex research initiatives, and aligning computing resources with institutional goals.

What is a director of research computing?

A Director of Research Computing is a leadership position responsible for managing and overseeing computing resources and services that support scientific research at an institution or organization. This role involves strategic planning, budgeting, and ensuring that researchers have access to high-performance computing, data storage, and specialized software. Directors often collaborate with faculty, IT staff, and external partners to develop and implement technology solutions that advance research goals. They also play a key role in supporting grant proposals and staying current with emerging technologies in research computing.

How does a director of research computing typically collaborate with faculty and research teams to support their computational needs?

A Director of Research Computing works closely with faculty and research teams to understand their specific computational requirements and ensure that the institution's infrastructure can support diverse research projects. This often involves consulting on technical solutions, prioritizing resource allocation, and facilitating access to high-performance computing systems or specialized software. Regular meetings, training sessions, and collaborative problem-solving are common, as the director acts as a bridge between IT staff and researchers. Effective communication and a proactive approach help anticipate challenges and ensure that research activities progress smoothly.

What is the difference between Director Research Computing vs Research Computing Manager?

AspectDirector Research ComputingResearch Computing Manager
ResponsibilitiesOversees research computing strategy, manages teams, and aligns technology with research goalsManages daily operations, supports research computing services, and supervises technical staff
Required CredentialsAdvanced degrees (PhD or Master's), leadership experience, technical expertiseBachelor’s or Master’s degree, technical background, management experience
Work EnvironmentStrategic planning, cross-department collaboration, high-level decision makingTechnical support, project management, team supervision

The main difference between a Director Research Computing and a Research Computing Manager lies in scope and focus. The Director is responsible for strategic leadership and long-term planning, while the Manager handles daily operations and technical support. Both roles require relevant technical credentials, but the Director typically has more leadership experience and a broader organizational impact.

What are the most commonly searched types of Research Computing jobs in Chicago, IL? The most popular types of Research Computing jobs in Chicago, IL are:
What are popular job titles related to Director Research Computing jobs in Chicago, IL? For Director Research Computing jobs in Chicago, IL, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Director Research Computing jobs in Chicago, IL look for? The top searched job categories for Director Research Computing jobs in Chicago, IL are:
What cities near Chicago, IL are hiring for Director Research Computing jobs? Cities near Chicago, IL with the most Director Research Computing job openings:

Associate Director, Research, Operations, and Infrastructure

The University Of Chicago

Chicago, IL • On-site

$135 - $165/hr

Other

Medical, Retirement, PTO

Posted 13 days ago


University Of Chicago rating

8.1

Company rating: 8.1 out of 10

Based on 47 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

158th of 617 rated colleges and universities


Job description

## Associate Director, Research, Operations, and InfrastructureApplyremote type: Hybridlocations: Chicago, ILtime type: Full timeposted on: Posted Yesterdayjob requisition id: JR34620**Department**Booth IT: Systems and Security**About the Department**The University of Chicago Booth School of Business is the second-oldest business school in the U.S. and second to none when it comes to influencing business education and business practices. Since 1898, the school has produced ideas and leaders that shape the world of business. Their rigorous, discipline-based approach to business education transforms students into confident, effective, respected business leaders prepared to face the toughest challenges. Chicago Booth has the finest set of facilities of any business school in the world. Each of the four campuses (two in Chicago, one in London, and one in Hong Kong) reflects the architectural traditions of its environs while offering a state-of-the-art learning environment. Chicago Booth is proud to claim: -an unmatched faculty. -degree and open enrollment programs offered on three continents. -a global body of nearly 56,000 accomplished alumni. -strong and growing corporate relationships that provide a wealth of lifelong career opportunities. As part of the world-renowned University of Chicago, Chicago Booth shares the University's core values that shape the distinctive intellectual culture. At Booth, they constantly question and test ideas, and seek proof. This extraordinarily effective approach to business leads to new ideas and innovative solutions. Seven of the Booth faculty members have won Nobel Prizes for these ideas - the first business school to achieve this accomplishment. For more information about the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, please visit: http://www.chicagobooth.edu/.**Job Summary**The Associate Director of Research Operations and Infrastructure for Chicago Booth Information Technology oversee daily operations, project management, and maintenance of reliable network, server, storage infrastructures, including high performance computing (HPC) clusters. This role supports data center services and email to ensure high availability in a 24/7 environment. Working collaboratively with faculty and researchers across various departments, the Associate Director develops tailored technical solutions to support and advance cutting-edge scientific research. The position manages research support staff, develops team capabilities, and leads succession planning for IT operations.**Responsibilities*** Leads day-to-day operations and project management for systems and network infrastructure, including hosted Windows and Linux departmental servers; application, database, email, file, and backup services; and core infrastructure services such as DNS, DHCP, and Active Directory.* Leads and manages a team of system administrators and research support staff, taking responsibility for assigning work, managing workflow, and creating professional development opportunities.* Manages and maintains the enterprise storage and storage area network (SAN) environment including troubleshooting, performance planning, capacity, and continuity planning.* Enhances the focus on security administration by working closely with the Booth Information Security team to maintain continuous risk assessments, review critical systems and identified threats, and produce operational policies/procedures documentation.* Collaborates directly with faculty, research teams, and leadership to understand their unique computational needs and develop tailored technological solutions.* Assists in the planning, design, and implementation of new systems, storage, automation and virtualization technology.* Develops and implements strategies to advance research computing capabilities, while assessing and evaluating existing infrastructure to recommend necessary improvements.* Develops project plans, forecasts budget needs, and manages financial resources effectively to optimize operations and cost-effectiveness.* Represents the University's research computing interests by fostering partnerships with external organizations, national HPC centers, and other internal IT departments to enhance overall capabilities.* Maintains Booth's Disaster Recovery infrastructure and documentation, ensuring systems and applications are adequately protected according to their SLAs, and run bi-annual Disaster Recovery tests.* Ensures the implementation of approved best practices and information technology policies that result in the highest quality systems administration.* Manages the creation of standards and procedures to maintain production servers that run the operating system. Manages the installation, configuration, and maintenance of operating systems and utility software.* Performs other related work as needed.**Minimum Qualifications****Education:**Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.**Work Experience:**Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 7+ years of work experience in a related job discipline.**Certifications:****---****Preferred Qualifications****Education:*** Bachelor’s degree in technical fields such as computer science, engineering, or data science.* Master’s degree.**Experience:*** At least ten years of relevant experience.* Supervisory or team management experience.* Higher education industry experience.**Technical Skills or Knowledge:*** Proficient managing networked servers with knowledge of switches and firewalls, network services, system utilities, hardware installation, and operating/application system installation.* Proficient managing high-performance computing (HPC) systems, clusters, and advanced research computing infrastructure.* Strong understanding of research computing needs, including large-scale data management, analysis, and scientific workflow and job scheduling architectures.* Familiarity with various programming languages and tools commonly used in research, such as Python, R, MATLAB, Jupyter, and Slurm.**Preferred Competencies*** Demonstrated project management skills to achieve results for multiple, simultaneous projects with competing demands.* Work independently, identify opportunities for innovation, and recommend effective technological changes.* Outstanding leadership and collaboration skills to work effectively with researchers, students, and IT professionals across multiple disciplines.* Deal with confidential and sensitive research data with tact, discretion, and strict adherence to security protocols.**Working Conditions*** This position is currently expected to work a hybrid schedule.**Application Documents*** Resume/CV (required)* Cover Letter (required)The University of Chicago uses AI-assisted tools to streamline and augment some recruitment processes; however, AI is not used to make hiring decisions. When applying, the document(s) **MUST** be uploaded via the **My Experience** page, in the section titled **Application Documents** of the application.**Job Family**Information Technology**Role Impact**People Manager**Scheduled** **Weekly Hours**37.5**Drug Test Required**No**Health Screen Required**No**Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required**No**Pay Rate Type**Salary **FLSA Status**Exempt **Pay Range**$135,000.00 - $165,000.00The included pay rate or range represents the University’s good faith estimate of the possible compensation offer for this role at the time of posting.**Benefits Eligible**YesThe University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off. Information about the benefit offerings can be found in the Benefits Guidebook.**Posting Statement**The University of Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or expression, national or ethnic origin, shared ancestry, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination. #J-18808-Ljbffr

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