Scholarly Communications Librarian

Description

General Summary: As a part of the Library’s Center for Digital Scholarship, the Scholarly Communications Librarian leads the University of Chicago's growing scholarly communication and repository services. Reporting to the Director of Digital Scholarship, the Scholarly Communications Librarian provides expertise in open scholarship, author rights, copyright, research data management, and compliance with public-access requirements for federally funded research. The position is responsible for tracking trends in traditional and alternative publishing models, intellectual property rights, copyright, and information technologies that affect access to scholarly information. The Scholarly Communications Librarian also provides leadership and support for two main services: the Library’s institutional repository, Knowledge@UChicago, and the Open Journal System (OJS) service that supports open access journal publishing. The position supervises the newly created Repository Services Manager who is responsible for the daily operations of Knowledge@UChicago.

The Scholarly Communications Librarian will coordinate the Library’s open access initiatives and activities, promote awareness of scholarly communications issues and services--both within the Library and across campus, and collaborates with other librarians to assist faculty and students through outreach, education, training, and collaborative projects. The Scholarly Communications Librarian is responsible for developing and delivering robust services and technologies to share and preserve the intellectual assets of the University of Chicago by providing researchers, instructors, and administrative staff with a professionally-managed digital environment in which to publish, curate, and preserve their materials including scholarship, research data, teaching resources, and administrative records.

The Scholarly Communications Librarian works with the Director of Digital Scholarship to identify needs and propose new scholarly communication services for the Center for Digital Scholarship, and to develop strategic priorities related to scholarly communications and ensure they are integrated into the Library’s strategic directions and initiatives. The position is responsible for maintaining strong, collaborative relationships with partners across campus, including the Research Computing Center and the University’s IT Services Division, in order to provide flexible, responsive, and coordinated services and infrastructure to the University community. 

Responsibilities:

• In collaboration with the Director of Digital Scholarship, develop a vision for the Library’s scholarly communication services, including the institutional repository and open access journal services, Knowledge@UChicago and OJS
• Plan, implement, and evaluate innovative, sustainable, and inclusive scholarly communication services and policies that support open access, preservation, and broad dissemination of University research and data
• Supervise and mentor the Repository Services Manager
• Consult with faculty, graduate students, and university staff on best practices or strategies to better manage, describe, preserve, and make available their scholarly work, manage their own copyrights and researcher identifiers; and fulfill federal and international mandates for sharing/disseminating research outputs
• Develop and maintain close, collaborative relationships with staff throughout the Library and provide copyright and other scholarly communication expertise for Library initiatives
• Leverage partnerships with computing or IT-related units in the library and across campus to research, recommend, test, and implement new technologies in support of scholarly communication
• Participate in local, regional, and national initiatives or meetings related to standards, best practices, and research lifecycle management activities and services
• Contribute to the culture and operations of the Library by participation in Library committees, strategic activities, and diversity initiatives

Qualifications

Required:

• Master of Library Science or equivalent degree from an ALA-accredited institution or an advanced degree in a relevant discipline
• At least 3 years of experience in an academic library addressing scholarly communication needs

Preferred:

• Successful management and supervision of personnel, and demonstrated leadership, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Experience using technology to support service innovation and/or productivity enhancements
• Record of interactions with faculty and students that demonstrate a deep understanding of the scholarly process
• Ability to work cooperatively and in a team-oriented environment and to build and maintain effective working relationships with diverse colleagues, faculty, staff, and students
• Professional engagement in scholarly communication at the local, regional, national, and international level
• Evidence of a strong and inclusive user service philosophy, and commitment to continuous improvement and innovation

Application Instructions

The Search Committee will evaluate candidates’ record and academic accomplishments in providing effective, user-oriented scholarly communication services; ability to work independently, as well as collaboratively in an evolving environment; and commitment to providing inclusive services to a diverse community. The Committee will also evaluate candidate's understanding of trends, processes, resources, and technologies related to scholarly communication, copyright, and data management; knowledge of policy and technical challenges related to the management, curation, and archiving of digital data; oral and written communication skills; ability to plan, implement, and communicate about programs and collaborative projects; and ability to create engaging and informative promotional and educational materials.

To Apply: Submit cover letter, curriculum vitae, and reference contact information online through the University of Chicago's Academic Recruiting website: apply.interfolio.com/84657. Review of applications will begin after March 25, 2021. Screening of applications will continue until the position is filled or the search is closed.

Salary and Benefits: Appointment salary based on qualifications and experience. Benefits include retirement plan, insurance, and paid time off.

Questions: Contact Kara Hastings, HR Generalist, khastings@uchicago.edu

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

We seek a diverse pool of applicants who wish to join an academic community that places the highest value on rigorous inquiry and encourages diverse perspectives, experiences, groups of individuals, and ideas to inform and stimulate intellectual challenge, engagement, and exchange. The University’s Statements on Diversity are at https://provost.uchicago.edu/statements-diversity.

The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity/Disabled/Veterans Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-1032 or email equalopportunity@uchicago.edu with their request.

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