Assistant Director for Cloud Computing

UNC-Chapel Hill • Chapel Hill, NC

4d

About The Position

The Assistant Director for Cloud Computing provides technical and strategic leadership for the design, implementation, and ongoing operation of secure research computing environments supporting health services research at the Cecil G. Sheps Center. The role leads the transition toward cloud-based research computing architectures that can support sensitive and regulated data, while maintaining and enhancing existing on-premises Linux-based research compute enclaves.

The position designs hybrid and cloud-native solutions for advanced data analytics using tools such as SAS, R, and Python, ensuring alignment with applicable research data security and compliance frameworks, including HIPAA, NIST 800-53, NIST 800-171, and ISO/IEC 27001. The Assistant Director collaborates closely with researchers, data governance staff, information security teams, and external partners to ensure environments are secure, scalable, compliant, and suited to evolving research needs, including machine learning and AI initiatives.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science, Information Systems, Engineering, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Significant professional experience designing, implementing, and supporting cloud environments.
• Demonstrated experience working with regulated or sensitive data environments.
• Strong knowledge of Linux-based systems and research analytics platforms such as SAS, R, and Python.
• Working knowledge of major research data security and compliance frameworks, including HIPAA, NIST 800-53, NIST 800-171, and/or ISO/IEC 27001.
• Ability to communicate complex technical concepts clearly to technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Strong architectural thinking and systems design skills.
• Ability to balance security, compliance, usability, and research agility.
• Proven ability to lead complex technical initiatives in collaborative environments.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• High degree of professionalism, judgment, and attention to detail, particularly in compliance-driven contexts.

Nice To Haves

• Advanced degree in a related technical or research field.
• Experience designing secure cloud-based research environments, such as AWS or Azure.
• Familiarity with university or academic research computing environments.
• Experience supporting data use agreements, security planning assessments, or audit processes.
• Relevant technical or security certifications, such as cloud architecture, security, or compliance-related certifications.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical and strategic leadership for secure research computing environments.
• Lead the transition toward cloud-based research computing architectures that support sensitive and regulated data.
• Maintain and enhance existing on-premises Linux-based research compute enclaves.
• Design hybrid and cloud-native solutions supporting advanced data analytics.
• Ensure research computing environments align with applicable security and compliance frameworks.
• Collaborate with researchers, data governance staff, information security teams, and external partners.
• Support evolving research needs, including machine learning and AI initiatives.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager