Sr. Data Engineer and Analyst - Artificial Intelligence-driven RNA Foundry (AIRFoundry) - Penn Engineering

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The University of Pennsylvania, the largest private employer in Philadelphia, is a world-renowned leader in education, research, and innovation. This historic, Ivy League school consistently ranks among the top 10 universities in the annual U.S. News & World Report survey. Penn has 12 highly-regarded schools that provide opportunities for undergraduate, graduate and continuing education, all influenced by Penn’s distinctive interdisciplinary approach to scholarship and learning. As an employer Penn has been ranked nationally on many occasions with the most recent award from Forbes who named Penn one of America’s Best Large Employers in 2023.

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The University offers a competitive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare and tuition benefits for employees and their families, generous retirement benefits, a wide variety of professional development opportunities, supportive work and family benefits, a wealth of health and wellness programs and resources, and much more.

Posted Job Title

Sr. Data Engineer and Analyst - Artificial Intelligence-driven RNA Foundry (AIRFoundry) - Penn Engineering

Job Profile Title

Application Architect

Job Description Summary

The AIRFoundry, a new center for AI-driven discovery and synthesis of RNA, seeks an experienced data engineer and backend software architect, to build the core of AIRFoundry’s knowledge sharing platform, KAIR. KAIR develops and adapts novel AI and database technologies to facilitate task-driven search capabilities over datasets – including Retrieval Augmented Generation, data lake search, large language models, and novel AI and ranking algorithms. KAIR also incorporates numerous cloud and open-source technologies, including open-source database and vector indexing.

The core of KAIR will build upon the Pennsieve data platform for biomedical data sharing, which is widely used for managing scientific data for multiple Penn and external projects. The position involves working closely with the Pennsieve engineering team, and will jointly report to Prof. Joost Wagenaar in the Perelman School of Medicine. A key element of the position will be to develop capabilities for combining local Penn high-performance computing and data storage resources with the Pennsieve cloud platform, and incorporating search components from open source and from research collaborations.

Job Description

Job Responsibilities

• Perform backend data engineering and software development for supporting data search and analysis on Penn computing resources, with master data synchronized with the Pennsieve platform developed by the Wagenaar Lab.

• Integrate with open-source indexing, database, and search services, such as Lucene, PostgreSQL, ChromaDB, Neo4J and LlamaIndex – and/or equivalent technologies developed by the AIRFoundry research team.

• Develop technical design documents based of functional requirements; manage development tickets and task specifications and development strategy.

• Provide input, presentations, and feedback in AIRFoundry strategic directions, PI meetings, and reports.

• Perform other tasks within the Ives and Wagenaar Labs, associated with ensuring sustainability of the Pennsive platform and the AIRFoundry project.

Qualifications

Bachelor’s in computer science (Master’s training preferred) and three to five years of related experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Experience as the lead architect of a major backend data processing system.  Expertise in distributed systems, AI, data management technologies, and cloud infrastructure management are preferred.

Job Location - City, State

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Department / School

School of Engineering and Applied Science

Pay Range

$74,476.00 - $120,000.00 Annual Rate

Salary offers are made based on the candidate’s qualifications, experience, skills, and education as they directly relate to the requirements of the position, as well as internal and market factors and grade profile.

Affirmative Action Statement 
Penn adheres to a policy that prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, creed, national or ethnic origin, citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected class.

Special Requirements 
Background check required after a conditional job offer is made. Consideration of the background check will be tailored to the requirements of the job.

University Benefits

• Health, Life, and Flexible Spending Accounts: Penn offers comprehensive medical, prescription, behavioral health, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits to protect you and your family’s health and welfare. You can also use flexible spending accounts to pay for eligible health care and dependent care expenses with pre-tax dollars.

• Tuition: Take advantage of Penn's exceptional tuition benefits. You, your spouse, and your dependent children can get tuition assistance here at Penn. Your dependent children are also eligible for tuition assistance at other institutions.

• Retirement: Penn offers generous retirement plans to help you save for your future. Penn’s Basic, Matching, and Supplemental retirement plans allow you to save for retirement on a pre-tax or Roth basis. Choose from a wide variety of investment options through TIAA and Vanguard.

• Time Away from Work: Penn provides you with a substantial amount of time away from work during the course of the year. This allows you to relax, take vacations, attend to personal affairs, recover from illness or injury, spend time with family—whatever your personal needs may be.

• Long-Term Care Insurance: In partnership with Genworth Financial, Penn offers faculty and staff (and your eligible family members) long-term care insurance to help you cover some of the costs of long-term care services received at home, in the community or in a nursing facility. If you apply when you’re newly hired, you won’t have to provide proof of good health or be subject to underwriting requirements. Eligible family members must always provide proof of good health and are subject to underwriting.

• Wellness and Work-life Resources: Penn is committed to supporting our faculty and staff as they balance the competing demands of work and personal life. That’s why we offer a wide variety of programs and resources to help you care for your health, your family, and your work-life balance.

• Professional and Personal Development: Penn provides an array of resources to help you advance yourself personally and professionally.

• University Resources: As a member of the Penn community, you have access to a wide range of University resources as well as cultural and recreational activities. Take advantage of the University’s libraries and athletic facilities, or visit our arboretum and art galleries. There’s always something going on at Penn, whether it’s a new exhibit at the Penn Museum, the latest music or theater presentation at the Annenberg Center, or the Penn Relays at Franklin Field to name just a few examples. As a member of the Penn community, you’re right in the middle of the excitement—and you and your family can enjoy many of these activities for free.

• Discounts and Special Services: From arts and entertainment to transportation and mortgages, you'll find great deals for University faculty and staff. Not only do Penn arts and cultural centers and museums offer free and discounted admission and memberships to faculty and staff. You can also enjoy substantial savings on other goods and services such as new cars from Ford and General Motors, cellular phone service plans, movie tickets, and admission to theme parks.

• Flexible Work Hours: Flexible work options offer creative approaches for completing work while promoting balance between work and personal commitments. These approaches involve use of non-traditional work hours, locations, and/or job structures.

• Penn Home Ownership Services: Penn offers a forgivable loan for eligible employees interested in buying a home or currently residing in West Philadelphia, which can be used for closing costs or home improvements.

• Adoption Assistance: Penn will reimburse eligible employees on qualified expenses in connection with the legal adoption of an eligible child, such as travel or court fees, for up to two adoptions in your household.

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To learn more, please visit: https://www.hr.upenn.edu/PennHR/benefits-pay