The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill University Library seeks a liaison librarian for the sciences. This person will join a dynamic team of science, health science and bioinformatics librarians who carry out an expanding program of research support, course- and curriculum-integrated instruction, and data services. The Science Librarian will also actively engage with faculty and students through the new University Library Research Hub program, which provides support to UNC researchers through all steps of the research lifecycle. Liaison librarians are expected to proactively develop and deliver services that advance this program. The individual in this position reports to the Head of Kenan Science Information Services.
The Science Librarian will be responsible for outreach, instruction, research and data support services, and collection development for assigned communities. These will be drawn from among astronomy, chemistry, physics, statistics, pure and applied mathematics, and applied sciences, based on the successful candidate’s qualifications and library needs. The successful candidate will combine a passion for liaison work with the ability to develop and sustain effective working relationships and foster collaborations and partnerships with faculty, students and administrators in assigned areas.
The individual in this position will actively monitor research and teaching programs within assigned areas as well as relevant developments at the campus, UNC-system and national level, and will develop content for assigned subject areas including course guides, subject guides and other instructional and outreach materials. The librarian will identify opportunities and develop services to support the curation of research data across the entire data life-cycle. The Science Librarian will participate in Library-wide initiatives and serve on committees and task forces as needed, and will participate as appropriate in professional activities and organizations. Demonstrated professional achievement, service, and scholarly/creative activity are required for reappointment and promotion in rank.
The Kenan Science Library collaborates with numerous interdisciplinary groups focusing on science, informatics, and institution-wide initiatives such as the Odum Institute, the consistently top-ranked School of Information and Library Science (SILS) and the Office of Innovation and Entrepreneurship. The Research Hub is a new, major Library initiative to provide innovative support to UNC student and faculty through every step of the research process. The Library’s Research Hub program brings together the partners, technology, expertise and resources that scholars need to support their new endeavors in today’s research environment. Initial Hubs will be located in Davis Library, Health Sciences Library, and the Kenan Science Library.
The Kenan Science Library, located in Venable Hall within the Department of Chemistry, was constructed in 2010 and houses a Collaboratory that is evolving into a user-centered makerspace. The physical collections are located in the Science Library Annex in Wilson Library. For more information, see http://www.lib.unc.edu/science/.
QUALIFICATIONS
Required: ALA-accredited master’s degree in library or information science. Degree, significant coursework, and/or work experience within the sciences. Ability to successfully support the teaching, learning and research work of scientific research communities. Proficiency with productivity applications and research databases used in STEM disciplines. Effective oral and written communication skills; excellent analytical and organizational skills. Ability to work both independently and collegially in a complex, rapidly changing environment. Strong commitment to user-centered public service. Ability to work effectively with diverse library users and staff.
Preferred: Bachelor’s or advanced degree in, or professional experience with one or more of these specific fields: astronomy, chemistry, mathematics, physics, or applied science(s). Experience in an academic, special or research library. Experience with research data management. Experience with makerspaces and emerging technologies. Experience with data visualization, data mining, text mining, or GIS. Evidence of initiative and innovative problem solving. Evidence of entrepreneurial and creative capabilities. Technologically adept.
The University and The Libraries
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is the country’s oldest state university. UNC Chapel Hill has an enrollment of approximately 29,000 students, employs more than 3,500 members of the faculty, and offers 69 doctoral degrees as well as professional degrees in dentistry, medicine, pharmacy and law. The UNC Health Sciences Library is a recognized leader within the Association of Academic Health Science Libraries. University Library collections include over 6.5 million volumes. The Library is a member of the Association of Research Libraries and the Center for Research Libraries. Together with the libraries at Duke University, North Carolina Central University, and North Carolina State University, the members of the Triangle Research Libraries Network (TRLN) provide services and collections to their students, faculty, and staff in support of the education, research, and service missions of the universities.
The University Library invests proudly in its employees, strives to create a diverse environment of respect and collaboration, and encourages vision and innovation.
The Region
The Triangle region is one of the most desirable places to live and work in North America and offers its residents a wide array of recreational, cultural, and intellectual activities. The mountains or the seashore are less than half day’s drive from Chapel Hill.
The University of North Carolina is an equal opportunity employer and is strongly committed to the diversity of our faculty and staff.
Salary and Benefits
This is a twelve-month academic librarian appointment; salary is commensurate with qualifications and experience. Standard state benefits of annual leave, sick leave, and State or optional retirement plan. At the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, librarians enjoy the benefit of academic status and are members of the faculty council.
Deadline for Application
Review of applications will begin on June 9, 2014. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled, but preference will be given to applications received by the begin review date.
To Apply
Please visit http://unc.peopleadmin.com/postings/43255 and complete the online application. Please include a letter of application, a resume and the name, mailing address, email address, and telephone number of three professional references, one of whom must be a current supervisor. Additionally, please indicate in your cover letter where you first learned of this position.
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