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What does a research computing specialist do?

Updated January 8, 2025
6 min read
Quoted expert
Heather Tanner Ph.D.
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Research computing specialist responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real research computing specialist resumes:

  • Manage a departmental network, support PC's, and provide technology assistance and advice for instructors.
  • Manage social media publications to spread awareness and notifications on Facebook.
  • Study cloud computing architecture for summer research.
  • Programme using Perl and Matlab.
  • Learned use of Linux as a development environment.
  • Implement a Perl pipeline which streamline the compression of these sets of genome files.
  • Implement the first experimental security layer (Java J2EE+C) using hardware time stamping for the PTP.
  • Demonstrate the ability to deal with patients and insurance companies regarding sensitive financial matters and recapture unpaid balances.
  • Utilize the XPS and SEM for characterization of the gold nanoparticles on the substrate surface.
  • Maintain biobank of blood and serum clinical specimens collect from HIV-1 infect patients.

Research computing specialist skills and personality traits

We calculated that 35% of Research Computing Specialists are proficient in Python, Cloud, and Linux. They’re also known for soft skills such as Analytical skills, Communication skills, and Detail oriented.

We break down the percentage of Research Computing Specialists that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Python, 35%

    Collaborated with leading computational biology experts to automate simulations on Linux using Python.

  • Cloud, 13%

    Worked with the Cloud and Autonomous Computer (CAC) center in the Autonomous Computing Laboratory.

  • Linux, 9%

    Configure server and desktop operating systems such as Windows, Linux and Novell.

  • GIT, 9%

    Related skills: C++, Matlab, Unix, Git.

  • C, 6%

    Required knowledge of C, VisionWorks, and SGI hardware.

  • C++, 6%

    Developed several applications in C++ and Delphi implementing numerical methods for solving partial differential equations describing processes in Thermodynamics.

Common skills that a research computing specialist uses to do their job include "python," "cloud," and "linux." You can find details on the most important research computing specialist responsibilities below.

Analytical skills. One of the key soft skills for a research computing specialist to have is analytical skills. You can see how this relates to what research computing specialists do because "market research analysts must evaluate large amounts of data and information related to market conditions." Additionally, a research computing specialist resume shows how research computing specialists use analytical skills: "quantified molecular conformational changes using statistical analysis. "

Communication skills. Another essential skill to perform research computing specialist duties is communication skills. Research computing specialists responsibilities require that "market research analysts must be able to clearly convey information when gathering material, interpreting data, and presenting results to clients." Research computing specialists also use communication skills in their role according to a real resume snippet: "documented all research findings and communications. "

Detail oriented. This is an important skill for research computing specialists to perform their duties. For an example of how research computing specialist responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "market research analysts must pay attention to minutiae to evaluate data." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of a research computing specialist: "detailed investigation of patent records including novelty, infringement, and validity research projects covering a diversified collection of subject matter. ".

All research computing specialist skills

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Compare different research computing specialists

Research computing specialist vs. Marketing internship

Marketing interns are usually marketing students or fresh graduates who are interested in getting actual work experiences before taking on a full-time job. They usually have an interest or academic background related to marketing. They assist marketing teams in most of their daily activities, sit in their meetings, record minutes of these meetings, take note of action plans, and attend other events related to marketing. They also assist in preparing collateral and other marketing materials, join brainstorming sessions, or any other activity that will help enrich their experience.

We looked at the average research computing specialist salary and compared it with the wages of a marketing internship. Generally speaking, marketing interns are paid $37,707 lower than research computing specialists per year.

There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, research computing specialist responsibilities require skills like "python," "c #," "visualization," and "cloud." Meanwhile a typical marketing internship has skills in areas such as "digital marketing," "powerpoint," "facebook," and "marketing campaigns." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.

Marketing interns really shine in the technology industry with an average salary of $33,333. Comparatively, research computing specialists tend to make the most money in the education industry with an average salary of $75,289.On average, marketing interns reach lower levels of education than research computing specialists. Marketing interns are 11.4% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and 3.8% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Research computing specialist vs. Marketing department internship

A marketing department internship is a marketing degree program requirement in most colleges. This is the work experience period where interns get to apply the knowledge they acquire in the real world. In this period, marketing interns provide administrative support to the marketing department of the company. The duties may include data entry, preparation of marketing materials, and managing the company's website. Also, interns are tasked to research and collect data, then analyze findings with an experienced marketing representative's supervision.

Marketing department internship positions earn lower pay than research computing specialist roles. They earn a $35,978 lower salary than research computing specialists per year.A few skills overlap for research computing specialists and marketing department interns. Resumes from both professions show that the duties of each career rely on skills like "data analysis," "statistical analysis," and "r."

Each career also uses different skills, according to real research computing specialist resumes. While research computing specialist responsibilities can utilize skills like "python," "c #," "visualization," and "cloud," marketing department interns use skills like "financial statements," "powerpoint," "press releases," and "market research."

Average education levels between the two professions vary. Marketing department interns tend to reach lower levels of education than research computing specialists. In fact, they're 6.4% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 3.8% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for research computing specialists in the next 3-5 years?

Heather Tanner Ph.D.Heather Tanner Ph.D. LinkedIn profile

Associate Professor, The Ohio State University

In academia (my field), I expect that it won't be new technology but new software that will become increasingly important. Programs that allow students to collaborate, create multi-media presentations, and analyze data.

Research computing specialist vs. Sales and marketing internship

In a sales and marketing internship, one of the primary duties is to assist in marketing-related tasks under a manager's supervision. The responsibilities will vary depending on the orders or directives given. However, they will mostly revolve around conducting research and analysis, preparing reports and presentations, participating in meetings, sharing insights, identifying opportunities, and developing resource materials such as surveys and polls. There are also instances where an intern must manage social media accounts to improve brand awareness and improve client relationships.

On average scale, sales and marketing interns bring in lower salaries than research computing specialists. In fact, they earn a $25,698 lower salary per year.

Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from research computing specialist resumes include skills like "python," "c #," "visualization," and "cloud," whereas a sales and marketing internship is more likely to list skills in "digital marketing," "social media marketing," "phone calls," and "instagram. "

Most sales and marketing interns achieve a lower degree level compared to research computing specialists. For example, they're 12.6% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 3.7% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Research computing specialist vs. Marketing consultant

A marketing consultant is responsible for utilizing their extensive retail expertise to develop strategies on how to strengthen client base and achieve better sales. Furthermore, a marketing consultant must perform research and analysis to determine opportunities for financial gains, devise plans to improve client satisfaction, assess the competition, look out for any risks, and develop its brand and image. They should also ensure that all steps taken adhere to the policies and regulations of the organization.

Marketing consultants typically earn higher pay than research computing specialists. On average, marketing consultants earn a $2,626 higher salary per year.Each job also requires different skills to carry out their responsibilities. A research computing specialist uses "python," "c #," "visualization," and "cloud." Marketing consultants are more likely to have duties that require skills in "customer service," "web content," "media sales," and "digital marketing. "marketing consultants enjoy the best pay in the technology industry, with an average salary of $93,209. For comparison, research computing specialists earn the highest salary in the education industry.marketing consultants reach similar levels of education compared to research computing specialists, in general. The difference is that they're 4.4% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 3.5% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Types of research computing specialist

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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