Network Specialist 3

SCHOOL/UNIT DESCRIPTION: The W. W. Hansen Experimental Physics Laboratory (HEPL), founded in 1947 as Stanford's first Independent Laboratory, provides facilities and administrative structure enabling faculty to do research that spans across the boundaries of a single department or school—for example: physics & engineering or physics & biology/medicine.

The Independent Laboratory concept, in many ways unique to Stanford, facilitates world-class research and teaching. For its first decade, HEPL's operations centered on accelerator research, though following two distinct lines: high-resolution electron scattering under Robert Hofstadter and meson physics under Wolfgang Panofsky.

Hofstadter was awarded the 1961 Nobel Prize for his work on nuclear form factors. Panofsky developed the immensely successful two-mile-long accelerator at the Stanford Linear Accelerator Center (SLAC), the successor to HEPL accelerators. Other major HEPL programs include: the Free Electron Laser , Gravity Probe B , Solar Physics and the Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope .

In addition, a group of programs are clustered around a broad theme of space physics and astrophysics, which involve collaborations with the Aero-Astro, Electrical Engineering, Applied Physics and Mechanical Engineering. HEPL is also home to programs in the field of biomedical physics in general and electro-neural interfaces in particular.

POSITION SUMMARY: The Fermi/GALPROP/PAB groups are seeking a Specialized Research Network and Systems Specialist to provide advanced network, server, security, and infrastructure support for a highly specialized research computing environment. This role supports critical research systems, private-network connections, externally accessible servers, building-level network equipment, backup systems, and legacy infrastructure that require specialized technical knowledge beyond standard campus IT support.

The position is responsible for maintaining the reliable and secure operation of complex research and building systems, including specialized servers, network switches, firewall rules, server access controls, APC battery backup and monitoring systems, and private network connections used by the Fermi/GALPROP/PAB environments.

The role also provides 24/7 on-call support to help ensure the GLAST and GALPROP clusters remain operational for data processing and for data transferred from SLAC to Stanford from the Fermi satellite. The role requires strong technical judgment, independent troubleshooting, root cause analysis, and the ability to respond quickly when outages, security issues, equipment failures, data-transfer interruptions, or connectivity problems occur.

This position also supports system modernization and long-term infrastructure planning for aging equipment, some of which is mission-critical and difficult to replace.

Responsibilities include evaluating hardware and software options, planning upgrades, maintaining documentation, coordinating with central UIT/SUNet, vendors, researchers, and building stakeholders, and ensuring that local technical solutions remain secure, supportable, and aligned with Stanford network architecture. The role requires hands-on experience with complex network and systems administration, including server maintenance, security monitoring, routing, switching, firewall controls, scripting, automation, and custom technical support for specialized research environments.

This is an advanced technical role for a candidate who can work independently, understand complex and non-standard infrastructure, protect externally reachable systems from security threats, maintain research continuity, and provide practical technical leadership in an environment where reliability, cybersecurity, and institutional risk management are essential.

This position is a six-month fixed term. Core

Duties :

• Manage large/complex network installations including requesting information, evaluating proposals, overseeing work of others, verifying correct installation, and coordinating with other departments.
• Implement programs, network services, architecture, and design; plan, design and implement new features and services.
• Integrate advanced technology developed in other departments as well as commercial products into the Stanford networking environment.
• Design, develop, evaluate, acquire, enhance, test, deploy, and manage the network systems for University-wide network services in a highly complex, multi-vendor, and multi-protocol network environment.
• Develop detailed technical design and implementation strategies for network management and administration, and recommend guidelines and policies as appropriate.
• Carry out duties with high degree of responsibility for design integrity, security, and consistency with overall SUNet architecture.
• Provide mentoring and training to lower level network specialists; act as final escalation point on technical issues.
• Perform root cause analysis and develop resolutions.
• Lead technical project teams to ensure timely completion and satisfaction of reliability and performance requirements.
• Formulate long-term network plans which may impact university resources. Minimum Education: Bachelor's degree. Minimum Experience: Eight years of relevant experience, or a combination of education and relevant experience. Specific experience in network design, implementation, analysis, and project management. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities :
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, with ability to communicate complex technical issues to non-technical users.
• Advanced communication skills and ability to influence, persuade, negotiate, and mentor.
• Expert knowledge of and experience with multiple network protocols and technologies.
• Fine-tuned trouble shooting skills.
• Proven project planning and management experience, including ability to manage people.