DATE ENTERED: February 13, 2024
POSITION: Research Librarian for Science and Engineering
LOCATION: University of Virginia Library, Charlottesville, VA
APPLY BY: Review of applicants will begin March 8, 2024, and the position will remain open until filled

Research Librarian for Science and Engineering (focus on Biology, Biomedical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, and Material Science & Engineering)

The University of Virginia Library seeks a dynamic, collegial, and highly-skilled professional to serve as the Research Librarian for Science and Engineering. As a member of the Social, Natural, and Engineering Sciences team, the successful candidate will serve as the liaison to the Departments of Biology, Biomedical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, and Material Science & Engineering. They will also work with library colleagues to support Science and Engineering studies across UVA’s academic programs and initiatives.

This is an Academic General Faculty (AGF) Assistant Librarian position on the Library track.  AGF positions in the Library are tenure-ineligible. For more information, see https://uvapolicy.virginia.edu/policy/PROV-004#Library_Track.

As a subject liaison, the Research Librarian for Science and Engineering will provide communication and outreach to faculty, students, and fellows, cultivating strong partnerships and seeking opportunities for enhanced collaboration.  They will be responsible for working with the collections management team and the other liaisons to establish collection priorities for biology, biomedical engineering, chemical engineering, chemistry, and material science & engineering materials, recommend specific purchases, maintain digital desiderata lists, and promote newly acquired resources. The Librarian will be expected to participate in regional and/or national professional organizations related to academic librarianship and librarianship in support of their assigned departments. A commitment to ongoing professional development and enthusiasm for the possibilities offered by academic librarianship as a profession is expected.

The Librarian will cultivate strong partnerships with faculty and actively seek to engage them in close collaboration with the Library. They will collaborate with other liaison librarians to support research in emerging and interdisciplinary areas that cross conventional subject boundaries. Working with technology and methodology experts on the Research and Learning Services team, the Research Librarian for Science and Engineering will promote the Library's existing and emerging digital initiatives. They will contribute to the development of collections in all formats, by scoping and communicating resource needs to the Scholarly Resources and Content Strategies team. They will engage in creative thinking and research projects (both structured and unstructured) to promote innovations in library services.

Required Qualifications:

  • Master's degree from an ALA-accredited program, OR a terminal degree in a relevant subject area (Biology, Chemistry, Material Science) along with work experience in an academic library.
  • Strong academic background in one or more fields relevant to Biology, Chemistry, Material Science or a closely related field.
  • Commitment to fostering an equitable and inclusive workplace and an ability to work effectively with a diverse faculty, staff, and student population.
  • Demonstrable knowledge of the tools and techniques of library research.
  • Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
  • Ability to thrive in a highly collaborative, team-based organization.

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Professional experience working in a liaison or subject specialist role in an academic library.
  • Familiarity with data-intensive research practices, such as data analysis and visualization, and a willingness to develop further skills in this area.
  • Familiarity with scholarly publishing models and with open educational resources (OER).

At the University of Virginia Library, we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and dynamic workplace, so if you are excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every preferred qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway.

Anticipated minimum starting salary at $70,000.

About UVA Library: The University of Virginia was conceived with a library at its heart, placed in the Rotunda at the head of the Academical Village. Today, the UVA Library’s original purpose remains unchanged: to provide access to accumulated knowledge and, in so doing, increase it — in short, to advance learning.

The Library is here to ensure that the University community has the information it needs for teaching, research, and personal enjoyment and enrichment. Regularly ranked in the top quartile of ARL libraries, UVA Library has six locations, more than 220 staffers, and more than 100 student employees. Staff members support a collection that includes more than 20 million manuscripts and archive materials, 4.8 million books, 4.5 million e-books, and hundreds of thousands of journal subscriptions. Additionally, as a major research institution, the Library regularly collaborates with professional organizations such as the Virtual Library of Virginia (VIVA), Virginia Library Association, Association of College and Research Libraries, and others.

The University of Virginia Library is committed to a culture of mutual respect, civility, inclusiveness, cooperation, mindfulness, accountability, and acceptance of individual differences. Departments and individuals are expected to work together, both in professional collaborations and in creating a culture where all can thrive. Library staff enjoy generous benefits for use of Library materials and professional development, in addition to UVA’s standard benefits package.

UVA is located in beautiful Charlottesville with easy access to the Blue Ridge Mountains; Richmond; Washington, D.C.; and the Eastern Shore. Charlottesville is a vibrant town with culture, music, numerous restaurants, excellent schools, and countless outdoor activities.

Review of applicants will begin March 8, 2024, and the position will remain open until filled.

The selected candidate will be required to complete a background check at time of offer per University Policy.

Application Instructions

To apply for this position please follow https://apply.interfolio.com/137315

Please submit a cover letter, your C.V., and contact information for three references (name, email address, telephone number, and address).  Note: the form will ask for one contact reference - please list all three references on one form.

For questions about the application process please contact Carla Lee at [email protected]

 The University of Virginia assists UVA faculty spouses and partners seeking employment in the Charlottesville area. To learn more about these services, please see https://dualcareer.virginia.edu