Database Engineer

Department

PSD Computer Science: Administration and Staff

About the Department

Are you passionate about leveraging your skills to combat global health threats? The University of Chicago (UC) invites applications from experienced database engineers to help develop a knowledgebase for the for the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness and Innovation (CEPI) Disease X program, aimed at preventing the spread of emerging viruses.
Led by Professor Rick Stevens from the Department of Computer Science, our project focuses on constructing a comprehensive knowledge base of data and AI models crucial for vaccine development against emerging viruses. Researchers with diverse backgrounds from UChicago and Argonne National Laboratory will be partnering with cross-institution collaborators at Houston Methodist, UT Austin, UTMB, JCVI, and LJI.

Job Summary

The job uses best practices and knowledge of data manipulation, statistical applications, programming, analysis and modeling in order to implement projects related to the University's various internal data systems as well as from external sources. The job is responsible for managing operational protocols.

Responsibilities

• Plays a leadership role in deploying data from the BV-BRC-supported back-end Solr database (bvbrc.org) and establishing new Solr data models for the CEPI knowledge base.

• Independently models new data types as Solr cores or modifications to existing cores and extend the data API for new types.

• Collaborate closely and provides expertise with data scientists within the project to establish data storage and management to support the development and improvement of AI models dynamically built from the knowledge base.

• Has a deep understanding of methods to analyze complex data sets for the purpose of extracting and purposefully using applicable information. May develop and maintain infrastructure that connects data sets.

• Calibrates data between large and complex research and administrative datasets. Guides and may set the operational protocols for collecting and analyzing information from the University's various internal data systems as well as from external sources.

• Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

Education:

Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.

--- Work Experience:

Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 5-7 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

--- Certifications:

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Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor’s or higher degree in computer science, engineering, or a related field.

Experience:

• Experience with Solr and non-relational databases.
• Experience with SQL & relational databases (desired).

Technical Skills or Knowledge:

• Proficiency in data modeling in Solr and/or SQL.
• Background in large-scale databases, with production support for databases with millions of rows.
• Familiarity with data modeling and generation for AI training.
• Knowledge of vector databases.

Preferred Competencies

• Ability to design reliable ingest mechanisms.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a team environment.
• Background understanding or coursework in the biological sciences and related methodologies is a plus.

Application Documents

• Resume/CV (required)

• Cover Letter (required)

• References Contact Information (3)(required)

When applying, the document(s) MUST be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.

Job Family

Research

Role Impact

Individual Contributor

FLSA Status

Exempt

Pay Frequency

Monthly

Scheduled Weekly Hours

37.5

Benefits Eligible

Yes

Drug Test Required

No

Health Screen Required

No

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required

No

Posting Statement

The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity/Disabled/Veterans and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

Staff Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.

We seek a diverse pool of applicants who wish to join an academic community that places the highest value on rigorous inquiry and encourages a diversity of perspectives, experiences, groups of individuals, and ideas to inform and stimulate intellectual challenge, engagement, and exchange.

All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history. A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment. Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.

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