Assistant Researcher

The Armauer Hansen Research Institute (AHRI) was founded in 1970 through the initiative of the Norwegian and Swedish Save the Children organizations seconded by the Ministry of Health of Ethiopia. The Institute got its name from the Norwegian physician, Gerhard Henrik Armauer Hansen, who first described the leprosy bacillus (Mycobacterium leprae).AHRI is a biomedical research institute that works in developing tools for prevention, control and treatment of mycobacterium and other diseases of public health importance through applied and basic biomedical research and training.

At the Malaria and Neglected Tropical Diseases Research Division (MNTD) of the Armauer Hansen Research Institute (AHRI), we are pioneering breakthroughs in malaria research through the innovative application of cutting-edge technology. Our advanced, high-performance computing (HPC) infrastructure is the backbone of our efforts, enabling sophisticated data processing—from high-throughput genomic sequencing and detailed molecular dynamics simulations to expansive bioinformatics computations—that drives our understanding of malaria to new heights.

High-performance computing has revolutionized malaria research by accelerating both the pace and breadth of scientific discovery. At MNTD, we harness the power of massive parallel processing and high-speed data analysis to address complex challenges. Our state-of-the-art systems are employed to sequence the genomes of the malaria parasite (Plasmodium spp.), simulate its intricate biology, and develop epidemiological models that forecast outbreaks and inform intervention strategies.

As the Junior Researcher, you will be at the nexus of HPC innovation and malaria research. You will oversee the deployment, continuous optimization, and secure maintenance of our HPC clusters and centralized digital research databases. Your leadership will ensure that our computational resources are seamlessly integrated, highly efficient, and fully secure—empowering interdisciplinary teams of bioinformaticians, data scientists, and clinicians to process vast genomic datasets, perform critical simulations for drug discovery, and generate predictive models that guide public health strategies.

Your contributions will be pivotal in unraveling the genetic variability that drives drug resistance, expediting early-stage antimalarial drug discovery, and crafting advanced models to predict outbreak dynamics. By fully harnessing the potential of HPC, you will help build an infrastructure that integrates diverse data sources for real-time analytics and cross-functional collaboration, ultimately advancing our quest for targeted malaria interventions.

If you are passionate about integrating state-of-the-art HPC systems with innovative research databases and thrive on optimizing high-performance server environments to support life-saving scientific endeavors, we invite you to join our transformative team. Become a key player in revolutionizing malaria research at MNTD through groundbreaking technology solutions.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

A. High-performance computing (HPC) Cluster Deployment & Optimization

Design & Architecture:

• Develop and continuously refine the overall technical blueprint for HPC clusters, ensuring scalability, resilience, and support for massive parallel processing.
• Work with research teams to translate scientific requirements—such as complex genomic sequencing and molecular simulations—into robust hardware and software configurations.

Installation & Integration:

• Oversee the assembly and deployment of cutting-edge hardware (CPUs, GPUs, accelerators, high-speed networking fabrics like InfiniBand) while integrating compute nodes with expansive storage systems.
• Ensure proper network configurations and secure connectivity between HPC clusters and research databases.

Performance Optimization & Troubleshooting:

• Implement monitoring solutions (e.g., Grafana, Nagios) to track HPC performance metrics and optimize job scheduling (using systems like SLURM, PBS, or Torque) to maximize throughput, even during intense data processing cycles.
• Lead troubleshooting efforts to promptly resolve hardware, software, or configuration issues that may impede scientific workflows.

B. Server Administration Duties

Server Installation & Configuration:

• Manage the deployment of both physical and virtual servers, including installation of Linux/Unix or Windows Server distributions tailored to the needs of HPC and research environments.
• Conduct hardware configuration, firmware updates, and system hardening procedures to build secure, reliable, and high-performing server infrastructures.

System Monitoring & Maintenance:

• Implement and continually refine monitoring strategies using tools such as Nagios and Zabbix, to observe vital server metrics including CPU loads, memory usage, disk I/O, and network performance.
• Schedule and perform routine system updates, patches, and firmware upgrades to ensure servers remain secure and operate at peak efficiency.

Automation & Scripting:

• Develop and deploy automation scripts (using Python, Bash, or PowerShell) to streamline server provisioning, system configurations, routine maintenance tasks, and alerting processes.
• Employ configuration management tools (like Ansible, Puppet, or Chef) to maintain consistency across a diverse server fleet.

Virtualization & Resource Management:

• Oversee virtualization environments using platforms such as VMware, Hyper-V, or KVM, ensuring efficient resource allocation and the consolidation of workloads without impacting performance.
• Optimize storage configurations and network settings to support high-speed data access and redundancy for critical research operations.

Security & Compliance:

• Maintain strict adherence to cybersecurity best practices, manage patch cycles, and enforce access controls to prevent unauthorized server access.
• Ensure server environments comply with regulatory standards (such as GDPR, HIPAA, etc.) and institute regular vulnerability assessments.

C. Research Database Setup, Administration & Maintenance

Design & Schema Development:

• Collaborate with research teams to analyze data requirements and design schemas using relational (MySQL, PostgreSQL) or NoSQL (MongoDB) platforms, ensuring efficient data retrieval and robust analytical capabilities.
• Oversee data migration from legacy systems to modern platforms, vigilantly maintaining data integrity throughout the process.

Security & Maintenance:

• Implement stringent security measures, including role-based access controls and encryption (both at-rest and in-transit), and conduct regular audits to safeguard sensitive research data.
• Develop comprehensive backup routines and disaster recovery protocols, routinely testing these systems to ensure rapid recovery and minimize downtime.

D. Cross-Disciplinary Collaboration & Continuous Improvement

Technical Support & Training:

• Serve as the primary technical liaison for interdisciplinary teams, providing hands-on support for troubleshooting and optimizing both HPC and server environments.
• Develop detailed documentation, user guides, and training sessions to empower team members in leveraging the full capabilities of our systems.

Innovation & Emerging Technologies:

• Stay abreast of the latest innovations in HPC, server administration, and research database management, such as containerization (Docker/Singularity), cloud orchestration (Kubernetes), and Infrastructure as Code (Terraform).
• Lead initiatives to integrate innovative technologies that enhance performance, scalability, and overall system reliability.

Qualifications

A. Educational & Professional Background

Academic Credentials:

• A bachelor’s or master’s degree in computer science, information technology, electrical and computer engineering, or a related field.

Certifications:

• Relevant certifications (e.g., Red Hat Certified Engineer, Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert, Oracle DBA, CompTIA Server+) are highly desirable.

Domain Experience:

• Prior experience in academic or research settings, particularly in environments supporting high-throughput computational analyses and sensitive scientific data management, is a significant advantage.

B. Technical Expertise

HPC & Server Management:

• Substantial hands-on experience deploying, administering, and optimizing HPC clusters, combined with a strong foundation in Linux/Unix server management.
• In-depth knowledge of advanced server hardware, high-speed networking (TCP/IP, InfiniBand), and job scheduling systems (e.g., SLURM, PBS).

Server Administration:

• Extensive experience in installing, configuring, and maintaining both physical and virtual servers.
• Proficiency in managing operating system environments (Linux, Windows Server), securing systems through regular updates, and applying best practices in firmware and patch management.

Research Database Administration:

• Proven skills in setting up and maintaining research databases using relational platforms (MySQL, PostgreSQL) and NoSQL solutions (MongoDB), including data migration and schema design, with compatible to distributed computing frameworks like Hadoop or Spark for big data processing.

C. Programming & Automation Skills

Scripting & Tools:

• Advanced proficiency in scripting languages (e.g., Python, Bash, PowerShell) for automating server provisioning, system diagnostics, and operational workflows.

Configuration Management:

• Experience with automation frameworks (like Ansible, Puppet, Chef) to ensure consistent and streamlined administration across server and HPC environments.

D. Analytical & Problem-Solving Abilities

Performance Monitoring & Benchmarking:

• Expertise in utilizing monitoring tools (Grafana, Nagios, Zabbix) to analyze performance metrics, optimize computational workloads, and swiftly resolve complex technical issues.

Security & Compliance:

• A comprehensive understanding of cybersecurity principles, including network security, encryption best practices, and compliance with regulatory standards relevant to research data and server operations.

Other Competencies

Analytical & Critical Thinking:

• Exceptional ability to analyze system performance data, diagnose issues, and implement innovative solutions to optimize research computing.

Interdisciplinary Collaboration:

• Adept at working with interdisciplinary teams including bioinformaticians, researchers, and IT professionals to drive collaborative projects.

Effective Communication:

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills for the clear documentation of processes, configurations, and technical procedures.

Attention to Detail:

• High level of detail orientation, ensuring data integrity, system security, and rigorous adherence to performance benchmarks.

Adaptability & Continuous Learning:

• Openness to evolving technologies and a commitment to ongoing professional development to stay ahead in the rapidly changing field of HPC and research computing.

Positions available: 1 (one)

Duty station: Addis Ababa

Salary: ETB 15,767.00 monthly gross salary

Terms of employment: One year contract period with full time employment basis with possibility of extension based on performance and budget availability.