|  | 
This page lists selected job openings with the UCSC Genome Project and the
UCSC Center for Biomolecular Science and Engineering
(CBSE). For a complete 
list of open positions within the center, see the 
CBSE
and UCSC job postings. 
 
Current open positions:
 
We recommend you include the following in your application:
 
a cover letter describing why you are interested in and qualified for a particular job
a curriculum vita or resume
your salary history
 
 
Systems Administrator (Programmer/Analyst II) 
Job #0600267Posted 1/13/06
 
UCSC Center for Genomic SciencesBaskin School of Engineering
 
Full Time Career Position 
The UCSC Center for Genomic Sciences, part of the Center for Biomolecular 
Science and Engineering (CBSE), builds databases for the UCSC Genome Browser 
(http://genome.ucsc.edu). The Genome 
Browser facilitates genome analysis and comparison within and across multiple 
species. It is used by thousands of scientists and biomedical researchers 
worldwide. We seek a systems administrator to work with the CBSE systems 
administration team.  
Summary of Duties: Under general direction and together with the center 
technical staff, assess, specify, and maintain the computing resources of the 
center.  
Work Schedule: In general, the position is a normal day shift, Monday 
through Friday. The person who has this job must be willing to be on emergency 
call duty at least one week and one weekend per month. 
Specific Responsibilities:
 
CBSE cluster administration: maintain center servers on a regular and emergency 
basis; assist users in tasks such as account creation, backups, and monitoring 
cluster use; monitor RAID systems for operation and capacity overload; order 
new RAID equipment as specified by project requirements; offer critical input 
on selection of storage solutions. 
Apache web server maintenance and genome site webmaster: maintain the Apache 
web server software and its associated statistics software, including Awstats 
and Mod_log_sql configurations; analyze data for usage rates of genome site, 
which is often vital for grant proposals. Function as the genome browser site 
webmaster. 
Production data release processing: working with the Quality Assurance group of 
the Genome Browser web site, assist in migrating requested data from development
environment to production environment in a reproducible and controlled manner. 
The current "push" system releases software to the production web 
site, and the process would be a primary duty of this position. 
Desktop and help desk support: provide user desktop assistance for systems in 
the CBSE and problem resolution with SOE and ITS technical staff. Many such 
duties overlap with other technical staff support areas, but often CBSE needs 
are specific enough to require a custom solution. Supervise the student and 
intern help desk. 
Develop and maintain a backup schedule for our file servers. Implement an archiving process for storing older data.
 
Qualifications (with or without accommodation):
 
BS in Computer Science or Computer Engineering or equivalent combination of 
education and experience
experience troubleshooting Perl and shell scripts
experience with UNIX systems administration, including installation, upgrades, 
and maintenance
experience working with Linux clusters
experience and ability to investigate and troubleshoot problems
strong verbal communication skills
ability to work well in a team environment and to interact and communicate 
effectively with a wide range of people
ability to independently learn and absorb new technical and procedural 
information from a wide variety of sources, much of which is done independently 
without formal training
ability to disseminate technical and procedural information to end-users of 
varying computing skills via web and training courses 
 Preferred Qualifications:
 
experience with UNIX backup software
experience with Apache web servers
experience working with freeBSD, windows, OS/X
experience working with large RAID storage solutions
experience working with cfengine
experience working with MySQL
experience with remote monitoring software like Big Brother/Big Sister, 
Ganglia, Nagios, etc.
knowledge of bioinformatics methods and applications
 
To Apply: All applications must go through the UCSC Employment office. 
Apply for this job online at http://jobs.ucsc.edu/ and search for job #0600267. 
Initial Application Review Date: 1/27/06  Biological Database Testing and User Support 
Technician
 (Programmer/Analyst I)
 
Job #0500045  
Posted 09/16/05 
Biomolecular Engineering Department/UCSC Center for Genomic SciencesBaskin School of Engineering
 
Full Time Career Position (entry-level position). 
The UCSC Center for Genomic Sciences, part of UCSC's Center for Biomolecular 
Science and Engineering, operates a key scientific website, 
genome.ucsc.edu. More than 
7000 scientists worldwide use the site every day to access the fruits of the 
human genome project.  The site combines cutting edge research in genomics with 
solid software engineering and maintains a simple but flexible user interface. 
Keeping the site up-to-date is no small job, and one of the most important 
aspects of this job is quality assurance and user support.  We currently seek 
an entry-level biologist to serve as Biological Database Testing and User Support 
Technicians (Programmer/Analyst I).
 
Summary of Duties:
 
Study and learn the current web site: understand how biologists are using 
the genome browser now; recommend new features to help biologists.
Test new versions of the software: run the software thoroughly with an eye 
to the needs of the biologists who will be using the site; apply an understanding 
of basic genomics to detect anomalies and catch annotation errors; follow up to 
ensure errors are resolved.
Examine new genomics data for quality: read the text describing the data set, 
then select one sample element and systematically use all display options 
available for that element; report problems encountered and ensure that they are 
resolved.
Support users: assist in monitoring email communications received from 
scientists off-site to answer questions and troubleshoot problems; research 
answers to user questions regarding underlying biological assumptions and 
computational methods in the genome software and databases; follow through to 
ensure that user questions are answered satisfactorily. 
Report problems: communicate effectively about technical problems with UCSC 
team members and with external scientists and researchers; using the existing 
reporting system, develop accurate, complete, terse descriptions of problems; 
develop an awareness of existing problems; assess the importance of problems; 
ensure that high priority problems are resolved.
 
Qualifications (with or without accommodation):  
 
BA or BS in either a biological science or computer science
plus coursework or experience in the other (or an equivalent combination
of education and experience).
Familiarity with UNIX.
Broad knowledge in biology and deep knowledge of gene sequence organization, 
genome maintenance, and gene expression and regulation in eukaryotes
Solid web surfing skills.
Strong writing skills.
Strong verbal communication skills.
Abilities to: tackle a large problem in a systematic manner; isolate 
problems by controlling conditions; communicate effectively and diplomatically 
with a wide range of people; work harmoniously in a fast-paced setting with a 
group of friendly but busy people; manage details and follow through; be 
productive and efficient.
 
Preferred Qualifications:
 
Excellent scores on the GRE exam in Biology or in Biochemistry, Cell, and 
Molecular Biology.
Experience and demonstrated skill in a customer service environment.
Programming skills.
Knowledge of bioinformatics methods and applications.
 
To Apply: All applications must go through the UCSC Employment office. 
Apply for this job online at http://jobs.ucsc.edu/. 
Initial Application Review Date: 10/04/05  |  |