IT Research and Security Project Manager

The Department of Psychology is searching for an IT Research and Security Project Manager (IT Professional 2 Project Management (9702PM)) to support the computing and technology needs of its stakeholders and programs of research. Psychology is a large, highly ranked department with 51 core faculty, 70+ staff, and 140 graduate students, and it supports the largest number of undergraduate majors of any academic program on the UMN Twin Cities campus. Additionally, the department has $50 million or more in active research funding at any given time (the majority from NIH), spread across 70+ projects. The position routinely consults and collaborates with the departmental leadership team, faculty/principal investigators, staff, and graduate students, primarily on strategic planning and operations for research and administrative computing and technology, as well as data management and security. Position allows for hybrid work. Pay range is $73,000-$90,000, dependent on qualifications and experience. Priority application deadline is November 15, 2024.

Job Responsibilities:

Planning and Operations for Research Computing and Technology (60%)

Leadership and Consultation

• Help lead and inform planning and operations for research computing initiatives, bringing technology solutions to the table when appropriate; act as a catalyst for innovation and creativity.
• Collaborate with departmental leadership, faculty, research staff and graduate students to identify and implement technology solutions to support Psychology's world-class research labs and programs. Provide guidance for researchers working with big data and cloud resources, private health information (PHI), as well as AI and machine learning
• Communicate about, and consult on, research computing updates, challenges, and changes; prioritize and coordinate updates and changes; monitor and oversee transitions, functioning, and progress.

Planning

• Consult with principal investigators and lab staff on research infrastructure (e.g., computing, data storage, data security, application development, networking); make recommendations and facilitate connections with other units, as needed.
• Collaborate with internal and external vendors to develop quotes and obtain research technology and/or services, as needed (e.g., Pavlovia, ePrime, MPlus).
• Support new faculty with research lab start-ups, including IT networking and lab set-up.
• Consult on data security plans for grant submission and implementation of those plans across multiple computing solutions.

Support

• Consult on and purchase research technology on behalf of Principal Investigators and lab staff.
• Administer and facilitate research device support for PIs and lab staff.
• Manage access for department research labs to research computing resources (e.g., Active Directory, compute.cla).
• Help identify sources of funding to secure resources for research computing and infrastructure.

Outreach and professional development

• Liaise with other related professionals and units on behalf of stakeholders; advocate for services and solutions to help ensure the success of their research, including but not limited to Liberal Arts Technologies and Innovation Services (LATIS) Research Support Services, the Office of Information Technology (OIT) and Health Sciences Technology (HST) to provide the best services possible to stakeholders in Psychology. Serve on UMN boards, teams, and committees (i.e., University Storage Council, Storage Champions Project, Storage Council Security Committee, etc.); collaborate with peers to establish best practices and procedures.
• Routinely engage in professional development to ensure up-to-date knowledge and skill with research in the discipline, focusing on technologies that support and advance it.

Data Management and Security (20%)

• Serve as a departmental lead for data management and security.
• Communicate and champion University, College, and Department data management and security policies and procedures; develop, educate, and help monitor compliance.
• Consult with faculty/principal investigators, staff, and students on data management and security; make recommendations regarding appropriate practices and strategies to ensure compliance, access, and security.
• Facilitate security assessments of research labs in collaboration with University Information Security (UIS) and Liberal Arts Technologies and Innovation Services (LATIS); help ensure the successful completion of audits. Ensure that risk assessments are regularly conducted; proactively identify research technology-related security concerns; identify and help implement solutions to concerns, as needed.
• Routinely engage in professional development related to data management and security standards and practices at the University, with federal granting agencies, etc.

Planning and Operations for Administrative Computing and Technology (20%)

• Partner with administrative leaders to build a vision and strategic plan for ongoing development and success in technology-enhanced administrative operations; make recommendations and identify, implement, and assess solutions.
• Routinely collaborate with administrative staff and faculty to improve administrative effectiveness through technology solutions; help develop their expertise in IT-related areas.
• Routinely collaborate with the department's Academic Technologist, identifying areas of synergy and implementing and assessing related initiatives.
• Help manage the daily operations of the department's administrative IT functions; ensure alignment with department and collegiate goals and aspirations.
• Consult on and purchase technology for faculty and administrative staff, in keeping with university, collegiate and departmental policies.
• Establish and maintain productive relationships, and serve as primary departmental liaison with LATIS and the University's IT community in advancement of the department's information technologies.
• Help build a data-driven decision-making culture in Psychology by developing and championing technology solutions for better capturing, tracking and reporting out on multiple Department functions.
• Encourage and support stakeholder development, experimentation, and facility with emerging services and technology.
• Serve on departmental committees (e.g., Chair's Group, Psych/LATIS Steering Committee, REP/IRB, Research Infrastructure & Space); collaborate with peers to establish best practices and procedures.
• Help develop, review and oversee IT budget and ensure compliance with stated goals, guidelines and objectives.

Required Qualifications

• BA/BS plus at least 2 years of experience, or master's degree.
• Demonstrated leadership skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively, independently and as part of a team.
• Demonstrated project management skills and experience.
• Demonstrated experience with successful problem-solving.
• Knowledge of data management and security practices and standards.
• Demonstrated commitment to inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, to stakeholders from a variety of different backgrounds.
• Strong organizational skills with excellent attention to detail.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in higher education or a comparable environment.
• Knowledge of, and experience with, research and computing in research.
• Ability to effectively navigate complex organizational environments.
• Ability to effectively and successfully advocate for the needs of others.
• Knowledge of, and experience with, high performance computing, cloud computing, and/or big data.

About the Department of Psychology

The Department of Psychology is one of the largest departments within the College of Liberal Arts, and is a highly ranked department nationally. Currently, the department has 50 core faculty, 70+ staff, 130 graduate students, and it supports the largest number of undergraduate majors of any academic program on the UMN Twin Cities campus. Additionally, the department has $50 million or more in active research funding at any given time (the majority from NIH), spread across 70 or more projects. In its 100 plus year history, the Department of Psychology has been marked by distinction and excellence. For additional information, please go to our website: http://www.psych.umn.edu/.

About the College of Liberal Arts

Home to the arts, social sciences and humanities disciplines and programs, the College of Liberal Arts is the largest college in the University of Minnesota and comprises 31 academic departments, and over 20 interdisciplinary research centers and administrative/support units. CLA has over 1,300 faculty and staff spanning research, teaching, advising, outreach, and administrative functions. CLA units reside in over twenty buildings on the East Bank and West Bank of the Twin Cities campus. CLA enrolls nearly 13,000 undergraduate students, over 40% of the undergraduate enrollment on the Twin Cities campus, 1,400 graduate students, and has an annual all-funds budget of $290 million.

CLA is a destination for curious, compassionate individuals who are committed to making our increasingly interdependent and diverse global community work for everyone. That foundational commitment begins in our CLA Constitution. CLA is committed to increasing enrollment of underrepresented and under-resourced students, diversifying our faculty across all disciplines, recruiting, and retaining a diverse staff, and promoting the expression and exploration of diverse perspectives and viewpoints-so that we all gain the background knowledge and analytical skills we need to understand and respect differences.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in CLA

Working in CLA

Working at the University

At the University of Minnesota, you'll find a flexible work environment and supportive colleagues who are interested in lifelong learning. We prioritize work-life balance, allowing you to invest in the future of your career and in your life outside of work.

The University also offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost
• Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefits.

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will be given the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by the Star Tribune as a Top Workplace for 2021, as well as by Forbes as Best Employers for Women and one of America's Best Employers (2015, 2018, 2019, 2023), Best Employer for Diversity (2019, 2020), Best Employer for New Grads (2018, 2019), and Best Employer by State (2019, 2022).