Assistant Director of Research Technology

Information Technology and Computing Services ( ITCS) is the central agency that supports enterprise-wide computing at East Carolina University. ITCS, through innovative information technology initiatives and service, provides opportunities for the ECU community to excel in teaching, research, and service using state-of-the-market technology and collaborative environments. ITCS is first and foremost committed to providing excellent information technology support for faculty, staff, and students. ITCS partners with campus departments, other universities, and industry to make strategic investments in information technology infrastructure that will help maintain a competitive advantage in administrative applications, faculty research, and outreach to the state and nation. We will achieve this through increasing the core functions and deploying appropriate technology throughout the university.

Information Technology and Computing Services ( ITCS) at East Carolina University supports enterprise-wide computing and technology services. Within that structure, the Teaching, Learning and Research team provides support for all teaching, learning and research technologies, including both hardware and software needs, as well as processes and procedures to ensures these are managed in keeping with the strategic priorities of the University. The primary purpose of this team is to empower faculty, students, and researchers with the technology, tools, and support they need to teach, learn, and conduct research effectively and innovatively.

INTERNAL POSTING: Open only to applicants currently employed by East Carolina University

The Assistant Director of Research Technology provides strategic and operational leadership for the university's research computing and technology services. This position leads a team responsible for delivering advanced technologies, infrastructure, and support that enable faculty, staff, and student researchers to conduct high-impact research. The Assistant Director works collaboratively with researchers, IT leadership, and campus partners to ensure research technology services are secure, reliable, innovative, and aligned with institutional research priorities. This position reports to the Director of Teaching, Learning, and Research.

Leadership & Management
* Lead, supervise, and mentor a team of research computing specialists, systems administrators, and support staff.
* Develop team goals, set priorities, and ensure high-quality delivery of research technology services and support.
* Foster a culture of collaboration, customer service, and continuous improvement within the research technology team.

Research Technology Infrastructure & Services
* Collaborate with IT Infrastructure teams on the architecture, deployment, and maintenance of research computing infrastructure, including high-performance computing ( HPC) clusters, research storage, and specialized computing environments.
* Ensure secure and efficient management of data storage, backup, and sharing solutions that meet varied research needs and compliance requirements.
* Support specialized research software, instrumentation, and technology tools used by researchers across disciplines.
* Partner with IT Security teams to ensure research environments meet institutional cybersecurity and compliance standards.

Collaboration & Researcher Engagement
* Serve as a primary point of contact and trusted advisor for researchers on technology needs, grant proposals, and research workflows.
* Consult with faculty and research groups to identify, implement, and support solutions that advance their research goals.
* Build partnerships with academic departments, research centers, and external collaborators to expand research technology capabilities.
* Coordinate training, documentation, and outreach to increase awareness and effective use of research technology resources.

Innovation & Strategic Initiatives
* Monitor emerging technologies and trends in research computing, data science, and cyberinfrastructure to recommend new solutions that strengthen the university's research competitiveness.
* Support or lead grant-funded initiatives, pilot projects, and collaborations to expand research IT services. Determine viability of solutions and opportunities for scaling.
* Identify opportunities to leverage cloud services, big data platforms, AI/ML tools, or other advanced technologies to support cutting-edge research.

Operational Excellence & Compliance
* Develop and maintain operational standards, procedures, and policies for research computing services.
* Ensure compliance with federal, state, and institutional policies related to research data security, export control, and privacy.
* Manage service performance through monitoring, reporting, and user feedback.
* Assist with budget planning, resource allocation, and vendor management for research technology investments.

The standard work schedule for this position will need to be adjusted to meet the position requirements, which include and are not limited to evening and weekend hours to perform scheduled and unscheduled workload requirements to maintain University operations.

This position may be eligible for Flexible Work Arrangements ( FWA) under the ECU FWA Policy.

This position requires the employee to reside within a reasonable commutable distance of the ECU main campus. "Reasonable commuting distance" is defined as a location that does not exceed a distance that can be safely traveled in two hours by automobile under average conditions of traffic, weather, and roads to employee's assigned duty station in Greenville, NC.

Contingent upon availability of funds.

Bachelor's degree and 4 years of relevant experience or equivalent combination of education and experience.

All degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions.

NA

* Master's degree in a related field.
* Experience working in higher education or research institutions.
* Experience with research computing and technology, including integrating these services within a larger strategic framework
* Familiarity with grant development or external partnerships to support research computing and technology needs
* Proven ability to lead projects and work collaboratively with stakeholders to ensure on-time deliverables that meet customer needs

East Carolina University requires applicants to submit a candidate profile online in order to be considered for the position. Candidates must also submit a cover letter, resume, and a list of three references, including contact information, online.

Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis.

In order to be considered for this position, applicants must complete a candidate profile online via the PeopleAdmin system and submit any requested documents. Additionally, applicants that possess the preferred education and experience must also possess the minimum education/experience, if applicable.

East Carolina University is committed to workforce success and cultivating a culture of care for our employees. ECU prohibits unlawful discrimination and harassment based on race/ethnicity, color, genetic information, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, political affiliation, and veteran status. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to their protected veteran status or disability.

Individuals requesting accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act ( ADAAA) should contact the ADA Coordinator at (252) 737-1018 (Voice/ TTY) or ADA-Coordinator@ecu.edu.

Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks. ECU participates in E-Verify. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States.

If you experience any problems accessing the system or have questions about the application process, please contact the Department for People Operations, Success, and Opportunity at (252) 328-9847 or toll free at 1-866-489-1740 or send an email to employment@ecu.edu. Our office is available to provide assistance Monday-Friday from 8:00-5:00 EST.