Job Description

Overview

The Allen Discovery Center is dedicated to the advancement of basic biology and biomedicine, and to becoming a leader in an integrated approach to the control of biological structure and function. Through a combination of developmental biophysics, computer science, and cognitive science, the work of the Center seeks a multi-level understanding of natural and synthetic living forms. Exploiting novel mechanisms of cellular decision-making, we seek to understand and augment the information processing, computation, and patterning processes that implement the generation and regenerative repair of anatomical structures. Our goal is to complement the mainstream advances focused on the genetically specified hardware of life with new approaches to reprogramming the physiological software inherent in living tissues. Technology is being developed to modulate the bioelectric communication that enables cells to coordinate their activities toward specific anatomical and functional outcomes. Using this bioelectric interface, we develop ways to exploit the collective intelligence of cells toward transformative applications in birth defects, regenerative medicine, cancer reprogramming, and synthetic bioengineering.

What You'll Do

The Research Lab Principal IT Client Support Specialist is responsible for providing advanced Tier 2-3 IT support and deskside assistance for scientific laboratories at Tufts using available technical tools. Most essentially, the goal is to help research scientists to fulfill their mission via IT technology that facilitates their work.

This includes :

• Help trouble-shoot existing software/hardware systems when problems arise,
• Choose and set up new hardware/software systems that meet the researchers needs (doing research about available options and optimizing to use cases)
• Future-looking strategic planning to help the Center IT components grow and change as needed (proactively recommend technology and best practices to empower the scientists).

What We're Looking For

Basic Requirements :

• The knowledge and skills that are typically acquired through a Bachelor’s Degree and 5+ years of experience or a High School diploma and 7+ years of experience in the direct delivery of IT support and network services.
• Proficiency in operating systems (Windows, macOS, Linux) and server administration.
• Familiarity with scientific computing environments and software (e.g., MATLAB, R, Python).
• Knowledge of network protocols, firewalls, and data security practices.
• Expert experience in supporting a research-intensive environment, i.e. scientific laboratories. 
• Expert technical skills in the configuration, installation, and troubleshooting of email and web clients, Antivirus software, TCP/IP, and imaging software and well as experience troubleshooting peripherals (printers, scanners) and handheld devices (mobile, tablets, PDAs).
• Strong technical skills in remote desktop management tools, such as Ivanti/LANDesk Management Suite, Microsoft SCCM/MECM, Microsoft Intune, JAMF Pro/Casper, or Bomgar, etc.
• A good understanding of emerging AI technologies and ability to review, recommend, and incorporate them into the research enterprise in a way consistent with intellectual property rules and other factors.
• Strong knowledge of desktop security and standards (security/networking).
• Knowledge of local area networks and network administration.
• Significant experience with backup strategies, WINS, DHCP, DNS, and TCP/IP, and existing products/solutions for backup in a dynamic research environment.
• Demonstrated expert experience in four or more of the following:
  • Unix/Linux installation, configuration and troubleshooting including Redhat, Ubuntu and Mandriva distributions.
  • Endpoint Systems Management (e.g. MS SCCM/MECM, MS Intune, Ivanti, BigFix Tivoli, Altiris, Kace, etc.) software deployment and patch creation.
  • Configuration, setup, and support of laboratory instrumentation and complex lab functions in a sciences/research setting.
  • Significant experience implementing endpoint security processes and protocols (scanning, data gathering, forensics, incident response management).
  • Providing dedicated advanced support to large group of executive/VIP clients with specialized, non-standard technology needs.
  • System and Application administration for department-level technologies (e.g. database applications, business process applications, web administration, etc.).
  • Experience with IMAP, LDAP, Microsoft ActiveSync, Active Directory and group policies, data recovery tools, Microsoft Exchange, WINS, DHCP, DNS, and TCP/IP.
• Excellent communication and customer service skills are a must in this dynamic customer-faced role.
• Strong organizational and attention to detail skills are a vital part to the overall success of people in this position.
• Commitment to the Center mission, and flexibility to solve problems in whatever way needed to enable the scientists to achieve their goals.
• Demonstrated ability to deliver professional customer service, end user training and consultation, effective team and project work.

Preferred Qualifications :

• MSCE, A+, Network +, CCNA, ACMT, ITIL or other industry standard certifications. 

Special Work Schedule Requirements:

• This position will be primarily in person, with the possibility of one day per week remote.

Pay Range


Minimum $35.50, Midpoint $42.30, Maximum $49.00




Salary is based on related experience, expertise, and internal equity; generally, new hires can expect pay between the minimum and midpoint of the range.

About Tufts University

This is Tufts. Tufts is a student-centered research university with a constellation of world-class schools encompassing undergraduate, graduate, professional, and lifelong learning programs. Across the university, students satisfy their intellectual curiosity, jump-start rewarding careers, and unlock bright, promising futures. Through rigorous academics, groundbreaking research, and a commitment to civic engagement and leadership, our community of students, faculty, and staff collaborate across four Massachusetts campuses to build a brighter world (Medford/Somerville, Grafton, Boston-Chinatown, and Boston-Fenway). Our employees light the way. Tufts develops innovative solutions for the most complex global challenges of our time through teaching, research, and an unparalleled investment in civic engagement. In administration and operations, in dining centers and in labs, every employee plays a role in our mission for a better, brighter world. At Tufts, the work you do matters. So do you. Enjoy flexible and remote opportunities, innovative benefits, and an inclusive, welcoming, collaborative culture that supports you. Develop your skills. Take classes. Advance your career. ... Do work that makes you proud in a community you love. All while taking great care of yourself and the people who matter most. We’re all in on creating an anti-racist culture of belonging. Across Tufts, we’ve deepened our commitment to making the university a truly inclusive place. Where every member of our community contributes and feels like they belong. Where diverse perspectives are seen as our strength, and great ideas are always heard. In offices, labs, classrooms, and beyond, we’re doing this work together, knowing it is the foundation of our mission to create a brighter world. An innovative university needs resourceful people who make things happen. Here, collaboration isn’t just a buzzword, colleagues actually care, and community means everything. Sound appealing? Come join us. Choose a campus and find the role that fits you. Tufts University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. We are committed to increasing the diversity of our faculty and staff and fostering their success when hired. Members of underrepresented groups are welcome and strongly encouraged to apply. See the University’s Non-Discrimination statement and policy here If you are an applicant with a disability who is unable to use our online tools to search and apply for jobs, please contact us by calling the Office of Equal Opportunity (OEO) at 617-627-3298 or at oeo@tufts.edu. Applicants can learn more about requesting reasonable accommodations at

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Job Tags

Work at office, Local area, Remote work, Flexible hours, 1 day per week,

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