Assistant Director for Cloud Computing

About the job

Be a Tar Heel!

A global higher education leader in innovative teaching, research and public service, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill consistently ranks as one of the nation’s top public universities. Known for its beautiful campus, world-class medical care, commitment to the arts and top athletic programs, Carolina is an ideal place to teach, work and learn.

One of the best college towns and best places to live in the United States, Chapel Hill has diverse social, cultural, recreation and professional opportunities that span the campus and community.

University employees can choose from a wide range of professional training opportunities for career growth, skill development and lifelong learning and enjoy exclusive perks for numerous retail, restaurant and performing arts discounts, savings on local child care centers and special rates on select campus events. UNC-Chapel Hill offers full-time employees a comprehensive benefits package, paid leave, and a variety of health, life and retirement plans and additional programs that support a healthy work/life balance.

Primary Purpose of Organizational Unit

The Cecil G. Sheps Center for Health Services Research seeks to improve the health of individuals, families, and populations by understanding the problems, issues, and alternatives in the design and delivery of health care services. This is accomplished through an interdisciplinary program of research, consultation, technical assistance, and training that focuses on timely and policy-relevant questions concerning the accessibility, adequacy, organization, cost, and effectiveness of health care services, and the dissemination of this information to policymakers and the general public.

Position Summary

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. This role is responsible for leading the transition toward cloud-based research computing architectures capable of supporting sensitive and regulated data, while also maintaining and enhancing existing on-premises Linux-based research compute enclaves.

The incumbent will design hybrid and cloud-native solutions that support advanced data analytics using tools such as SAS, R, Python, and related platforms, ensuring alignment with applicable research data security and compliance frameworks including HIPAA, NIST 800-53, NIST 800-171, and ISO/IEC 27001. The position requires close collaboration with researchers, data governance staff, information security teams, and external partners to ensure research computing environments are secure, scalable, compliant, and fit for evolving research needs including machine learning and AI initiatives.

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements

Masters’ and 2-4 years’ experience; or Bachelors and 3-5 years’ experience; or will accept a combination of related education and experience in substitution.

Required Qualifications, Competencies, and Experience

Bachelor’s degree in computer science, Information Systems, Engineering, or a related field (or equivalent combination of education and experience).

Preferred Qualifications, Competencies, and Experience

• Advanced degree in a related technical or research field.
• Experience designing secure cloud-based research environments (e.g., AWS, Azure, or equivalent platforms).
• Familiarity with university or academic research computing environments.
• Experience supporting data use agreements, security planning assessments, or audit processes.
• Relevant technical or security certifications (e.g., cloud architecture, security, or compliance-related certifications).
• 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 (e.g., SAS, R, 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 both 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.

Office of Human Resources Contact Information

If you experience any problems accessing the system or have questions about the application process, please contact the Office of Human Resources at (919) 843-2300 or send an email to employment@unc.edu Please note: The Office of Human Resources will not be able to provide specific updates regarding position or application status.