BACKGROUND:
The University of Illinois at Chicago's Center for Research Informatics is seeking a motivated individual for the position of Senior Research Informatics Database Administrator.

The Center for Research Informatics (CRI) at UIC, a leading center for biomedical informatics and translational research, provides state-of-the art computing and statistical expertise to support the analytic activities related to genetics, genomics, transcriptomics, and epigenomics for the UIC and Chicago-area research community. The CRI serves and supports a broad cross-section of the UIC biomedical research community. The CRI, in collaboration with the Center for Clinical Translational Science (CCTS) Biomedical Informatics (BI) Core at UIC, provides the informatics infrastructure, clinical research data resources, and informatics services required in the translation of research from bench to bedside to community and back again. Efforts are directed towards providing user-friendly informatics tools and services, which promotes efficient, effective multi-directional flow of information among basic, animal, human, and public health researchers while minimizing the effects of traditional barriers that form research silos.

RESPONSIBILITIES:
The Center for Research Informatics (CRI) at UIC is seeking a Senior Research Informatics Database Administrator to oversee and manage the analysis, planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of highly complex databases for clinical, translational, and biomedical research and create usable healthcare information and analysis tools for research purposes. The position will be a principal contributor in identifying and developing data specific research project requirements and will prepare, organize and communicate research results; contribute to research abstracts, manuscripts, grants and other documents for planning new research and for publishing research findings. The position will supervise the research database staff as well as assuming an active role in managing all research databases and data assets.

Specific:

• Design and implement strategies and advanced protocols for the development and use of complex research databases and applications, which power clinical, translational, biomedical and health science research. This includes strategies for database application, administration, and security for multiple research projects including but not limited to those utilizing big data, both heterogenous data and large volume data.
• Evaluate developments and emerging technologies to determine their applicability to current and pending research projects as well as future initiatives of the CRI, such as big data and heterogeneous data security and storage. Advise CRI directors and investigators on developments and advances in database design and application.
• Review research design and protocol data requirements with investigators making technical recommendations on the plan, design, and use of complex databases to address specific research needs.
• Administer daily operations of research databases, including but not limited to: providing technical support of database environments/applications, including software installation, database creation, upgrades, patches, problem diagnosis, performance monitoring, database maintenance, process automation, evaluation and tuning recommendations; develop, implements and support backup/restore, disaster recovery and data replication procedures and exercises.
• Lead the implementation of application requested database code and configuration changes in supported Oracle and other database environments, both relational and non-relational (noSQL).
• Manage daily operations of numerous research databases, including but not limited to:
  
  • Monitor, evaluate, develop, and implement procedures to ensure appropriate memory allocation, disk and object fragmentation, locking and contention.
  • Develop processes to optimize performance, capacity and service delivery for both hardware and software aspects of research databases.
  • Monitor and address database and application production, performance, and security issues.
  • Manage the acquisition, installation and upgrades of software packages and new levels of software.
  • Plans and implements strategies and procedures for backup and recovery of the research database environments.
• Monitors database performance to identify bottlenecks, such as inefficient queries, inconsistent and/or corrupt indexes, database design, and provides comprehensive recommendations for and implements corrective actions.
• Design, develop and implement advanced research and data security procedures for clinical, translational, and biomedical informatics research projects including the clinical research data warehouse. Monitor and document compliance of all research databases and applications with regulatory requirements (HIPAA, HITECH, etc).
• Advise in the development of innovative and advanced informatics methods and protocols for advanced database design, coding, and implementation for research project; algorithms for research analysis and reporting; and the creation of custom complex transformations in addition to use built-in transformations.
• Prepare, organize and communicate research results. Write papers, grants and other documents for publication based on research findings.
• Author and co-author articles for publication and present at scientific symposia and conferences.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor's degree in science or related field required Masters preferred
• A minimum of 5 years' experience planning and implementing highly complex databases required, with at least 2 years planning complex databases for research data, preferably clinical, translational, or biomedical research
• Experience creating healthcare information and analysis tools for research purposes required
• Possesses and applies advanced knowledge of research principles, concepts, practices and methods
• Proficient in specific research techniques

PREFERENCES:

• At least 5 years database administration and management experience, with at least 3 years administering Oracle databases
• Extensive knowledge of Oracle databases, preferably within a research or bioinformatics environment with big data sources. Advanced knowledge of administering, managing and optimizing procedures for Oracle databases
• Experience with utilization of Oracle and other databases for managing big data, heterogenous data and large volume data
• Experience with multiple noSQL technologies
• Understanding of CAP and trade-offs
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including experience with academic writing; ability to communicate complex scientific technical information to non-technical audiences as well as interpret non-technical requirements from stakeholders
• Knowledge of data requirements for compliance with HIPAA, HITECH, and other federal and state regulations governing data collection, storage, use and security
• Analytical experience with critical thinking, application design, database design/data structure, debugging, strategic decision making, reading and interpreting scientific and technical requirements and troubleshooting
• Project experience with agile environments, collaboration and teamwork, cost/benefit analysis, evaluate resources, organizational skills, planning, and workflow development and documentation

LOCALE:
Chicago, IL

HOW TO APPLY:
Applicants should submit the following: cover letter highlighting key qualifications; current curriculum vitae with complete bibliography; names and addresses of three references. For fullest consideration, applications should be received by October 19, 2015. All materials should be uploaded to https://jobs.uic.edu/job-board/job-details?jobID=55668

DEADLINE:
October 19, 2015

POLICY:
The University of Illinois at Chicago is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action employer. Minorities, women, veterans and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.