Research Consultant / Computer Scientist, Office of Strategic Initiatives, UMKC, 90293

Office of Strategic Initiatives at University of Missouri - Kansas City.

The SECURE Center is responsible for the co-creation and implementation of NSPM-33 - and related - research security framework development and best practices. The NSF SECURE Center is, "a non-government entity that will form a bridge between the U.S. Government and the research community to empower the research community to meet research security requirements by providing information, tools, and other services." UMKC is leading this effort representing the SECURE Center Midwest Region.

As a member of the NSF SECURE Center Midwest, the Research Consultant (Computer Scientist) will design, develop, and maintain the technical infrastructure and software systems that enable research security stakeholders to access tools, share information, and collaborate effectively.

Responsibilities:

• Partner with co-design teams and research security stakeholders to identify which operational needs are best addressed through backend systems, APIs, or data infrastructure, translating user requirements into technical specifications, system architectures, and implementation roadmaps
• Develop and maintain secure, scalable software systems that address the complexity of research security as a framework of sociotechnical systems, creating technical solutions that reduce friction in stakeholder workflows and improve information accessibility across research institutions
• Design and implement APIs that enable integration between research security tools, institutional systems, and the SECURE Center's Shared Virtual Environment (SVE), ensuring data security, authentication, and proper access controls
• Participate in stakeholder workshops and co-design sessions, providing technical expertise on feasibility, implementation approaches, and system constraints to inform solution design
• Monitor and maintain production systems, responding to incidents, optimizing performance, and implementing updates based on stakeholder feedback and evolving requirements
• Contribute to reports, presentations and visualizations with technical metrics, system performance data, and quantitative analysis of software solution effectiveness
• Write clean, well-documented, secure code following industry best practices (guidelines, secure coding standards), participating in code reviews and maintaining version control workflows
• Other duties as assigned.

NOTE: This position is fully grant funded and contingent on continued funding.

NOTE: This position includes travel.

A Bachelor's degree or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience and at least 3 years of experience from which comparable knowledge and skills can be acquired is necessary

• Bachelor's degree in computer science or related field is strongly preferred
• Master's degree in computer science or related field
• 1-2 years of professional software development experience
• Experience with modern programming languages (e.g., Python, Java, JavaScript/TypeScript, C++, C#)
• Familiarity with software development methodologies (Agile, Scrum)
• Experience with version control systems (Git, GitHub, GitLab)
• Knowledge of database systems (SQL and/or NoSQL)
• Understanding of web development frameworks and technologies
• Exposure to cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, Google Cloud)
• Experience with API design and development (REST, GraphQL)
• Familiarity with DevOps practices and CI/CD pipeline

Anticipated salary salary range starts at $65,000 commensurate with experience, education, and internal equity.

December 14, 2025

This position is eligible for University benefits. As part of your total compensation, the University offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental and vision plans, retirement, paid time off, short- and long-term disability, paid parental leave, paid caregiver leave, and educational fee discounts for all four UM System campuses. For additional information on University benefits, please visit the Faculty & Staff Benefits website at https://www.umsystem.edu/totalrewards/benefits.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of Missouri is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

To request ADA accommodations, please call the Office of Equity & Title IX at 816-235-6910.