Assistant/Associate Professor, Research Engagement and Impact Librarian

The Oklahoma State University Library seeks applicants for the position of Research Engagement and Impact Librarian. This position is a member of the OSU Library faculty reporting to the Head of Scholarly Services & Research Engagement. This is a tenure-track position with anticipated initial appointment at the rank of Assistant/Associate Professor.

The Research Engagement and Impact Librarian is a newly created position within the Research & Learning Services Division of the Library at OSU. Reporting to the Head of Scholarly Services & Research Engagement, this person will play a crucial role in analyzing, interpreting, and communicating the local and global impact of OSU faculty and student scholarship.

The individual in this position will employ a range of processes and methodologies, including bibliometrics, geospatial analysis, and text & data mining utilizing data gathered from multiple sources including the University's Research Information Management System (RIMS), citation databases, and more in order to holistically consider impact through traditional and non-traditional metrics. The successful candidate will also offer outreach opportunities and consultations to faculty and students from diverse backgrounds and disciplines, helping them maximize and articulate meaningful research engagement and manage their scholarly reputation and identity through the appropriate use of various research metrics and platforms.

The Research & Learning Services Division is a team of enthusiastic and knowledgeable librarians and educators who contribute to the success of OSU students, faculty, and the state of Oklahoma through their expertise as information professionals. They seek to be agents for positive change who choose to make a difference in their communities.

Responsibilities

In addition to the responsibilities noted above, the individual in this position will:

• Share insights and respond to requests for bibliometric data from a diverse array of campus stakeholders including Vice President for Research, Provost’s Office, OSU Global, College Deans, etc.
• Collaborate with colleagues from campus units such as Institutional Research and Analytics, Division of the Vice President for Research, and IT to coordinate efforts and further the goals of the position, Library, and University
• Stay informed about trends and issues in university level rankings, such as QS and THE, as well as UN Sustainable Development Goals, and communicate how bibliometric data impacts these rankings
• Address the evolving landscape of research impact and scholarly communications, especially the ethical and methodological concerns related to bibliometrics and exploration of alternative methods of evaluating and demonstrating impact through responsible research assessment initiatives
• Advise faculty and students on harvesting bibliographic data for systematic or other reviews
• Promote and support methods, practices, and library services for making research open, accessible, and reproducible
• Support information literacy and data literacy efforts

Required Experience, Skills and Qualifications

• A master’s degree is required. While we anticipate that many applicants will have an ALA-accredited master’s in library/information science, we are also interested in candidates with a relevant mix of education and experience
• Strong knowledge of and/or background in current and emerging trends and theories in academic research and scholarship, including open research practices and scholarly communication
• Demonstrated experience with a variety of bibliometric data sources and understanding of key issues related to use of bibliometric data
• Understanding of responsible research evaluation via bibliometric data; conversant in issues related to the quantification of research impact, the intersection of diversity and research impact assessment, and the challenges and biases present in bibliometric data
• Strong data literacy skills
• Ability to:
  • Interact with people in a friendly manner, successfully complete multiple projects, meet deadlines, and adjust to evolving campus needs
  • Communicate complicated ideas effectively, listen well, and respond to student, staff, and faculty needs
  • Work effectively and cooperatively with faculty, students, and staff to foster collaborative partnerships inside and outside the Library in order to build community and connections
  • Meet university requirements for reappointment and tenure, including scholarly and creative activities and service

The salary is a minimum $60,000 annually for a 11-month appointment with a generous holiday schedule, health care plans, and retirement options. As a new library faculty member, you will receive start-up funding for research and/or professional travel and have access to the Library’s grant writer and development team as well as a full communication team.

Deadline: The job will remain open until the position is filled. For consideration of your application materials, you should apply through the University’s website at jobs.okstate.edu. The successful candidate will be required to submit to a background check.

Oklahoma State University is committed to excellence in diversity and inclusion and has received over twenty-five awards for their efforts and progress in this area. We are particularly interested in receiving applications from members of underrepresented groups and strongly encourage women and persons of color to apply for open positions.

OSU is an AA/EEO/E-Verify Employer. Hiring contingent upon available funding.

---