The Research Technology Support Specialist provides advanced, end-to-end IT support for faculty-led research within the Land, Air and Water Resources (LAWR), Environmental Toxicology (ETOX), and Wildlife, Fish, and Conservation Biology (WFCB) departments in the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES) under the direction of the Metro Cluster IT Manager. This role blends research computing support, system administration, information security, application development, and advanced desktop support to enable secure, scalable, and compliant research environments.
The incumbent works independently and collaboratively with researchers, central IT, security teams, and vendors to design and support computing solutions that align with campus standards, funding agency requirements, and best practices-while remaining flexible enough to deliver novel solutions when research demands them.
Apply By Date: August 14, 2026QualificationsMinimum Qualifications - For full consideration, applicants are encouraged to upload license and/or certification if required of the position - Required to hold a valid California driver's license, have a driving record that is in accordance with local policies/procedures, and/or enroll in the California Employer Pull Notice Program
- No formal educational minimum is required for this position. We recognize that technical expertise can be developed through a variety of paths. A combination of professional experience, community-led learning, bootcamps, or formal schooling that demonstrates the ability to perform the duties of the role will be fully considered.
- Demonstrated experience providing technical support within research computing, academic labs, or highly specialized, advanced technical environments. • Hands-on experience writing scripts or basic code (e.g., Python, Bash, PowerShell, or R) to automate routine tasks, manage data pipelines, or support software applications.
- Experience administering operating systems (ideally both Linux and Windows environments), including configuring system settings, installing specialized software, and troubleshooting performance issues.
- Experience managing multiple technical tasks or projects concurrently, including setting milestones, tracking progress, and meeting established timelines with minimal direct oversight.
- Demonstrated experience explaining complex technical concepts to technical and non-technical audiences and developing and delivering training, documentation, and instructional materials on advanced technical topics.
- Core understanding of information security frameworks, including practical knowledge of data privacy principles, user access controls, and basic research compliance workflows.
- Collaborative problem-solving skills, with a track record of working effectively with individuals from diverse technical backgrounds and treating all users with patience and respect.
Preferred Qualifications - Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Environmental/Agricultural Sciences, or a related field; OR an equivalent, documented combination of advanced certifications, training, and professional experience.
- 2+ years of experience directly supporting academic, grant-funded, or scientific research environments (e.g., College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences or similar domains).
- Experience implementing or auditing technical controls aligned with federal cybersecurity frameworks (such as NIST SP 800-171 or institutional security policies like UC IS-3) for regulated data. • Hands-on experience utilizing enterprise endpoint management tools (such as BigFix, Jamf, or Microsoft Intune) to deploy software, manage patches, and ensure system compliance across a diverse fleet of devices.
- Experience working with High-Performance Computing (HPC) clusters or cloud-based research environments (AWS, Azure, GCP), including assisting users with job scheduling, data storage, or resource allocation.
- Ability to perform risk-based security decision-making, evaluating vulnerabilities and designing secure network architectures (e.g., segmentation, firewalls) without unnecessarily disrupting research velocity.
- Skill in conducting Vendor Risk Assessments (VRAs) and reviewing third-party software or cloud services for data security and compliance alignment.
- Possession of, or the ability to obtain, relevant technical certifications that demonstrate advanced troubleshooting capabilities (e.g., CompTIA Network+/Security+, Jamf Certified Associate/Tech, Microsoft Modern Desktop, ITIL Foundations, or vendor-specific hardware repair).
- Advanced adaptability and creative problem-solving skills, specifically the ability to navigate decentralized institutional environments and design novel, custom technical solutions when standardized campus offerings do not meet unique research needs.
Key Responsibilities - 40% - Research Technology Support & Systems Administration
- 30% - Information Security & Compliance
- 20% - Application Development, Programming & Automation
- 10% - Advanced Desktop & Endpoint Support
Department OverviewMetro is a large administrative cluster providing administrative and technical support to the faculty, staff, and students of the Environmental Toxicology; Land, Air, and Water Resources; and Wildlife, Fish, and Conservation Biology departments. This position is part of a team of personnel providing IT support services within Metro and will work with a diverse staff in Metro to provide support services necessary to further teaching and research activities.
Metro IT is within the College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences and provides information technology services and support to the 3 main Metro cluster departments (ETOX, LAWR, and WFCB) and external clients. Metro IT provides helpdesk/desktop support service for more than 2,000 workstations and laptops, systems administration for more than 100 servers, and development services for business and academic applications and websites. This position reports to the IT Manager and would work with both the desktop support, sysadmin, and app dev teams. They would serve as an escalation point for advanced research technology support needs.
POSITION INFORMATION - Salary or Pay Range: $89 , 784.00 - $165 , 160.80 /year
- Salary Frequency: Annual
- Salary Grade: STEPS
- UC Job Title: INFO SYS ANL 3 TX
- UC Job Code: 005462
- Number of Positions: 1
- Appointment Type: Career
- Percentage of Time: 100 %
- Shift (Work Schedule): M-F, 8am-5pm
- Location: Davis, CA
- Union Representation: Yes - TX-Technical Professionals
- Benefits Eligible: Yes
- This position is hybrid (mix of on-site and remote work)
BenefitsOutstanding benefits and perks are among the many rewards of working for the University of California. UC Davis offers a full range of benefits, resources and programs to help you bring your best self to work, as well as to help you and your family achieve your health, wellness, financial and career goals. Learn more about the benefits below and eligibility by visiting UCnet Benefits Page or Benefits Summary for UC Davis Health Employees or Benefits Summary for UC Davis Employees .
- High quality and low-cost medical plans to choose from to fit your family's needs
- UC pays for dental and vision coverage for you and your family
- Retirement plans for eligible employees including Pension and other Retirement Saving Plans
- Supplemental insurance offered including additional life , short/long term disability , pet insurance , legal coverage , accident, critical illness and hospital indemnity
- Pregnancy and Parental Leave , Family & Medical Leave , Adoption Assistance and Pay for Family Care and Bonding for eligible employees
- Lactation Support Program and Family Care discounts and resources
- Employee Well-being resources and programming to support thriving in all aspects of employee's lives
- On-site Employee Assistance Program including access to free mental health services
- Generous amount of paid Holidays annually as outlined in the UC Policies or Collective Bargaining Agreements
- Paid Time Off/Vacation/Sick Time as outlined in the UC Policies or Collective Bargaining Agreements
- Continuing Education (CE) allowance and Staff Education Reimbursement Program for eligible employees
- Access to free professional development courses and learning opportunities for personal and professional growth
- Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Qualified Employer and Student Loan Debt Counseling Program for eligible employees
Physical Demands - Standing - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
- Walking - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
- Sitting - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
- Lifting/Carrying 0-25 Lbs - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
- Lifting/Carrying 26-50 lbs - Never 0 Hours
- Lifting/Carrying over 50 lbs - Never 0 Hours
- Pushing/Pulling 0-25 Lbs - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
- Pushing/Pulling 26-50 lbs - Never 0 Hours
- Pushing/Pulling over 50 lbs - Never 0 Hours
- Bending/Stooping - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
- Squatting/Kneeling - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
- Twisting - Never 0 Hours
- Climbing (e.g., stairs or ladders) - Never 0 Hours
- Reaching overhead - Never 0 Hours
- Keyboard use/repetitive motion - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
Environmental Demands - Chemicals, dust, gases, or fumes - Never 0 Hours
- Loud noise levels - Never 0 Hours
- Marked changes in humidity or temperature - Never 0 Hours
- Microwave/Radiation - Never 0 Hours
- Operating motor vehicles and/or equipment - Never 0 Hours
- Extreme Temperatures - Never 0 Hours
- Uneven Surfaces or Elevations - Never 0 Hours
Mental Demands - Sustained attention and concentration - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
- Complex problem solving/reasoning - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
- Ability to organize & prioritize - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
- Communication skills - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
- Numerical skills - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
- Constant Interaction - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
- Customer/Patient Contact - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
- Multiple Concurrent Tasks - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
Work EnvironmentUC Davis is a smoke and tobacco free campus effective January 1, 2014. Smoking, the use of smokeless tobacco products, and the use of unregulated nicotine products (e-cigarettes) will be strictly prohibited on any UC Davis owned or leased property, indoors and outdoors, including parking lots and residential space.
Work occasional overtime including evenings and weekends for system deployment and maintenance activities, and project priorities. Occasional travel for training activities. This position requires a valid California Driver's license and is subject to DMV pull-notice System.
Special Requirements - Please contact your recruiter with questions regarding which activities apply by position - This is a critical position, as defined by UC Policy and local procedures, and as such, employment is contingent upon clearing a criminal background check(s) and may include drug screening, medical evaluation clearance and functional capacity assessment
Misconduct Disclosure Requirement: As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; received notice of any allegations or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct with a previous employer.
Work occasional overtime including evenings and weekends for system deployment and maintenance activities, and project priorities. Occasional travel for training activities. This position requires a valid California Driver's license and is subject to DMV pull-notice System.
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