Technical Specialist

Position Summary:

The Technical Specialist will work within a new cutting-edge research program focused on accelerating early-stage drug discovery through data generation to support machine learning in ligand discovery. Reporting to the Principal Investigator, the Technical Specialist will play a central role in supporting the computational, IT, and data science network of the program. We work closely with academic institutions, pharmaceutical companies, and technology leaders to develop innovative tools and platforms that make biomedical research faster, more collaborative, and more impactful. This open science, milestone-driven program seeks to revolutionize and democratize drug discovery to advance human health.

Duties:

  • Management of sub-contractors to support Linux and Windows servers.
  • Design, implement, maintain, and back up virtualized servers and GPU-based high-performance computing (HPC) systems.
  • Develop and support automated software deployment tools for Windows desktops and manage wireless network infrastructure.
  • Administer, monitor, and troubleshoot LAN/WAN, Windows, Linux, and macOS systems to ensure reliable performance and uptime.
  • Provide responsive technical support to researchers and resolve system, network, and instrument PC issues efficiently.
  • Monitor network performance, identify bottlenecks, and coordinate with IT and Facilities for hardware upgrades and network expansion projects.
  • Implement and maintain network security, access controls, and institutional IT policies in collaboration with central IT and security teams.
  • Manage virtualization and license servers, ensuring proper configuration, updates, and documentation.
  • Support scientific software deployment, including installation of open-source and commercial tools for data analysis and machine learning.
  • Evaluate emerging technologies (e.g., OS updates, virtualization platforms, GPU computing) and recommend improvements.
  • Conduct research on network products and standards to inform procurement and long-term planning.
  • Perform additional related duties and participate in ongoing professional development as required.

Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or related discipline; post-graduate certifications in Network and Systems Administration (CompTIA Network+/Security+/Server+, CCNA, Microsoft Azure Administrator, AWS SysOps, ITIL, Red Hat/Linux Essentials).
  • Proven expertise in network and systems administration, including LAN/WAN, VPN, firewalls, routers, virtualization (VMware, Hyper-V), Active Directory, and Windows/Linux server environments.
  • Skilled in storage, backup, and disaster recovery (RAID, NAS/SAN, Backup Exec, Veritas).
  • Strong focus on security management such as endpoint protection, patching, access control, and incident response.
  • Experience with LIMS platforms and scientific equipment integration; familiarity with GLP and HIPAA compliance.
  • Knowledge of database and cloud environments (MySQL, MS SQL, Oracle, Azure, AWS, HPC).
  • Proficient in scripting and automation (Python, PowerShell, Bash, Perl) and tools such as Chef and Ansible.
  • Comprehensive understanding of networking protocols (TCP/IP, DNS, SSH, SMTP, SNMP, VPN).
  • Excellent troubleshooting, documentation, and communication skills with emphasis on user support and regulated environments.

Additional Information

This position is based at the University Health Network (UHN) and has been created to advance research efforts aligned with the goals of Target 2035, a global open-science initiative focused on enabling the discovery of chemical probes for every human protein. Successful candidates will contribute to cutting-edge projects in protein science, data generation, and early-stage drug discovery supported by UHN affiliated and appointed scientist that share the principles of open science.

Find more information and apply here: https://jobs.smartrecruiters.com/UniversityHealthNetwork/744000091130762-technical-specialist