Job Summary

Senior Research Analyst
Purdue University | West Lafayette, IN

Join a research-facing support team that helps turn bold ideas into powerful computational results.

As a Senior Research Analyst, you’ll partner with researchers, campus collaborators, national organizations, and external vendors to expand what’s possible in large-scale research computing. In this role, you’ll bring creativity, technical depth, and a service mindset to complex data and computation challenges that support Purdue’s research enterprise and its broader mission of discovery, learning, and engagement.

What You’ll Do

• Support the use of advanced research computing systems by providing researchers with the tools, expertise, and guidance needed to address complex scientific questions
• Analyze operational data, diagnose computing issues, and design, code, test, debug, install, document, optimize, and maintain complex programs
• Streamline data analysis capabilities and help improve workflows that support research productivity
• Collaborate with internal staff, campus researchers, national partners, and vendors to implement innovative computing and data technologies
• Lead or support regular training workshops that help researchers use computational tools more effectively
• Participate in national computing activities, including workshops, conferences, and presentations, to stay connected to emerging ideas and practices

What You Bring

• Strong experience solving advanced computation and data problems in a research or technical environment
• Ability to translate complex technical concepts into practical solutions for diverse audiences
• A collaborative, adaptable approach to working across teams and disciplines
• Curiosity, innovation, and a commitment to continuous improvement
• Experience developing, testing, and maintaining programs or analytical tools

Why Purdue?
At Purdue, you’ll contribute to a culture shaped by unrivaled pride and unlimited potential, with opportunities to work alongside colleagues who value collaboration, growth, and impact. Your work will help support researchers tackling cutting-edge problems while strengthening the computing foundation that makes large-scale discovery possible.

About Us

Purdue University’s Rosen Center for Advanced Computing (RCAC) is committed to proving the ability to work effectively with individuals from a variety of backgrounds and create opportunities to participate in an environment where persons can grow and thrive professionally.

Purdue’s RCAC provides access to leading-edge computational and data storage systems as well as expertise in a broad range of high-performance computing activities. To fulfill our mission, we:

• provide advanced computational resources and services to support Purdue faculty and staff researchers 
• evaluate, deploy, and support hardware and software for large-scale scientific computing
• promote effective use of our research computing systems and application software through training and education, consultation, and documentation
• contribute to the discovery process through algorithm design and development of effective computing techniques

What We're Looking For

Education and Experience Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, math, physical or life sciences, computer science, or related field
• Four (4) years of experience in one or more of the following required:
  • Experience supporting researchers and research teams by analyzing research needs, defining technical requirements, and translating research questions into effective software and computational solutions, including streamlining processes and improving research workflows
  • Demonstrated experience designing, developing, and maintaining computing- and data‑driven applications, including libraries, software tools, web applications, and research services that support scholarly workflows
  • Experience with Laravel framework
  • Experience working with workflow management systems and tools to automate, optimize, and scale computational or data‑intensive research workflows
  • Ability to collaborate effectively with interdisciplinary stakeholders, including faculty, research staff, and students, to improve the usability, reliability, and sustainability of research software and computing environments
• Equivalent combinations of education and experience will be considered

Skills Required:

• Ability to:
  • work on a team with various backgrounds
  • plan, organize and prioritize tasks, and complete projects with minimal supervision‎
• Experience in designing and developing software solutions
• Knowledge of:
  • Linux operating system
  • scripting languages, i.e. Shell
  • version control software, i.e. GIT
  • of software engineering principles

Preferred: 

• Knowledge of:
  • commercial and public domain software packages and tools
  • web development frameworks, high-performance and high-throughput computing software and tools, or machine learning/deep learning methods and frameworks
• Good verbal and written English communication skills including the ability to ‎consult with researchers, make presentations, develop and present training material, and ‎develop ‎documentation

Additional Information:

• Purdue University will not sponsor employment authorization for this position  
• A background check will be required for employment in this position
• FLSA: Exempt (Not Eligible for Overtime)
• Retirement Eligibility:  Defined Contribution Waiting Period   
• Benefit Statement: Purdue University offers a substantial Benefit Package including medical, dental, and vision insurance as well as a generous paid time off package for sick and vacation days

Career Stream

Professional 3

• Pay Band S120
• Job Code #20003220

Career path maker: https://www.purdue.edu/hr/careerpathmaker/

Who We Are

Purdue is a community built on collaboration, with global perspectives, Boilermaker pride and endless opportunity to live, learn and grow. Join us and contribute to our culture.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Purdue University is an EOE employer.