The University of Iowa is seeking a Research Platforms Team Lead to lead the people, platforms, and partnerships behind some of the university’s most critical research computing capabilities.
This is a unique opportunity for an experienced technology leader who enjoys working at the intersection of people leadership, advanced infrastructure, and research innovation. You’ll lead a team of technical professionals responsible for services including high-performance computing, research storage, Linux-based infrastructure, and other research computing platforms that enable faculty, researchers, and academic teams to do complex, high-impact work.
This role is about more than keeping systems running. You’ll help shape how research computing services evolve—partnering with researchers, academic departments, IT leaders, security professionals, data center teams, healthcare colleagues, and distributed technology units across the University of Iowa. You’ll identify emerging needs, guide technical solutions, establish priorities, and help ensure our research platforms remain reliable, scalable, secure, and positioned for growth.
Key Job Duties (not all inclusive):
Lead and develop a highly technical team, providing direction, coaching, prioritization, performance management, and day-to-day support.
Serve as a strong advocate for the Research Platforms team while balancing broader university and enterprise technology priorities.
Guide the design, implementation, integration, and support of complex enterprise research computing environments.
Oversee critical services and serve as an escalation point when complex or high-impact issues arise.
Partner directly with campus researchers, academic departments, research support organizations, and IT teams to understand needs and develop effective solutions.
Help shape service strategy, deployment planning, continuity planning, service expectations, and long-term platform growth.
Coordinate across a large and sophisticated technology ecosystem, including infrastructure, applications, data centers, cybersecurity, healthcare, teaching and learning technology, and collegiate IT.
Represent the Research Platforms team as a member of the Technology Platform Services Leadership Team.
Build trusted relationships with both technical and non-technical stakeholders and communicate clearly across disciplines.
If you’re a thoughtful technology leader who can build trust, develop people, navigate complexity, and help research computing capabilities grow alongside an evolving research enterprise, we’d love to hear from you.
Join us and help lead the platforms that make discovery possible.
There is an expectation that the individual in this position will maintain effective, civil, and respectful working relationships with the University of Iowa campus community and uphold the University’s commitment to creative a welcoming and respectful environment for all.
This position is not eligible for University sponsorship for employment authorization.
ITS values work life balance and strives to provide flexible work options where possible. This position is eligible for on-site, hybrid, or remote work arrangements within the state of Iowa, and will require a work arrangement form to be completed upon the start of employment. Per policy, work arrangements will be reviewed annually, and must comply with the remote work program and related policies and employee travel policy when working at a remote location.
For a detailed job description, please email Melanie Bell at [email protected].
Qualifications:
Required Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree in a field relevant to the position, or an equivalent combination of education and additional related experience.
Experience (typically 7 years or more) working in information technology with progressive responsibility, preferably in a higher education environment.
Experience supporting, administering, or leading services related to high performance computing, research storage, Linux/Unix systems, or other research-adjacent IT platforms.
Demonstrated ability to provide technical direction for complex infrastructure services, including troubleshooting, escalation, documentation, lifecycle planning, and service improvement.
Some leadership experience (administrative, functional, or project based) in an IT environment.
Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
Desirable Qualifications:
Prior experience architecting IT systems highly preferred.
Prior experience supervising technical staff, including coaching, performance feedback, work assignment, and team development.
Familiarity with security, compliance, audit, data protection, or regulatory considerations in research or enterprise infrastructure environments.
Application Details:
In order to be considered, applicants must upload the following materials and mark them as “Relevant File” to the submission:
Information Technology Services will be hiring for one level listed within this requisition, depending on the qualifications of the successful finalist.
Job openings are posted for a minimum of 7 calendar days and may be removed from posting and filled any time after the original posting period has ended. Successful candidates will be required to self-disclose any conviction history and will be subject to a criminal background check and credential/education verification. Up to 5 professional references will be requested at a later step in the recruitment process.
For questions or additional information, please contact [email protected].
Joining the University of Iowa means becoming a vital part of the Hawkeye community, where your work directly impacts education, research, and student success.
Enjoy exceptional health coverage, university-paid life insurance, robust retirement plans, and generous leave policies. Benefit from 24/7 support services, well-being resources, and access to UI Health Care specialists. Grow professionally with advanced training, leadership development, and tuition assistance.
Iowa City offers a great quality of life with world-class performances at Hancher Auditorium, Big Ten athletics, top-ranked public schools, and outdoor recreation.
Join us in making a difference at a leading Big Ten university and premier public research institution.
Additional Information
- Classification Title: Systems Architect
- Appointment Type: Professional and Scientific
- Schedule: Full-time
- Work Modality Options: On Campus, Hybrid within Iowa, Remote within Iowa
Compensation
- Pay Level: 6B
- Starting Salary Minimum: $115,000
- Starting Salary Maximum: $125,000
Contact Information
- Organization: Information Technology Services
- Contact Name: Melanie Bell
- Contact Email: [email protected]
