Director of the San Diego Supercomputer Center (SDSC)

The University of California San Diego is launching a search for an experienced, visionary leader to serve as the next Director of the San Diego Supercomputer Center (SDSC). Since its founding 35 years ago as one of the original National Science Foundation (NSF) supercomputer centers, SDSC has been a leader in the development of high-performance computing infrastructure and the broader ecosystem around data-intensive computing. A site of groundbreaking work in advanced cyberinfrastructure design and development and research data management, SDSC collaborates extensively with University of California and UC San Diego academics, and with the research community nationally and internationally, bringing the power of advanced computing to accelerate discovery in every field of inquiry. 

Reporting to the Senior Associate Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs within the office of the Executive Vice Chancellor, the Director is responsible for the strategic direction and operational management of SDSC, the leadership of its 220+ employees, the management of its $40 million+ annual budget, and the development and maintenance of its state-of-the-art space on the UC San Diego campus. The Director will play a key role in shaping the future of research computing nationally and will contribute to the next wave of computing innovations in a collaborative and competitive global arena. At the same time, SDSC’s new Director will strengthen its engagement and alignment with UC San Diego’s academic mission.

Candidates will demonstrate a range of important competencies, experiences, and credentials. The Director will be a strategic, transformative leader with a compelling vision for the future of high-performance computing, cyberinfrastructure, and the applications and services that enable researchers to make full use of leading-edge, world-class resources to advance human knowledge and health. The successful candidate will be someone who combines this breadth of vision with a leadership style characterized by collaboration, transparency, and community engagement and a management practice that is inclusive, consultative, and empowering.

The SDSC Director will hold an underlying appointment as a tenured full professor at UC San Diego. Candidates must demonstrate distinction as a researcher and/or practitioner in a field relevant to SDSC’s mission and must possess a record of innovations in and contributions to that field, including appropriate accomplishments in education or training and in engagement that are suitable for a tenured appointment at a campus of the University of California. 

Additional qualifications should include: 

 

·        A record of leadership in areas of scientific computing pertinent to a research, development, and service enterprise whose programs span or may in the future span high-performance computing, high-throughput computing, data-intensive computing, cloud computing, quantum computing, security policies and solutions, and applications across a broad range of research disciplines.

·        Integrity, fairness, candor, selflessness, and the highest ethical standards.

·        Broadly recognized national and/or international stature.

·        A commitment to and success in advancing organizational priorities related to equity, diversity, and inclusion that will be manifest in experience working with diverse communities, creating an inclusive culture, and integrating practices and programs that foster equity, diversity, inclusion, and access in the core priorities of a technically and scientifically focused enterprise.

A comprehensive description of the Director position and a complete list of required and preferred qualifications can be found here.

UC San Diego has retained Opus Partners to support the recruitment of this position. Craig Smith, Partner, and Thomas Lapierre, Senior Associate, are leading the search. Confidential inquiries, applications, and nominations should be sent via email to thomas.lapierre@opuspartners.net. In order to interview with the search committee, candidates must formally apply via Opus Partners and must provide their CV, a cover letter, and a statement addressing aspirations and contributions to promoting equity, diversity, and inclusion. Please consult Opus Partners for more information about the application process. All possible discretion will be exercised to maintain the privacy of applicants through the search process. For best consideration, please submit materials by July 15, 2021. Electronic submission of materials is required.      

  

The University of California San Diego is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. Diversity is a defining feature of the University of California, which embraces it as a source of strength. Differences — of race, ethnicity, gender, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, socioeconomic status, abilities, experience and more — enhance the university’s ability to achieve its core missions of public service, teaching, and research. UC welcomes faculty, staff, and students from all backgrounds and wants everyone at UC to feel respected and valued.