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Library Liaison, Biosciences & Bioengineering

Library Liaison, Biosciences & Bioengineering

Massachusetts Institute of Technology Libraries Job Location: Massachusetts Apply By: 04/02/2021 Date Created: 03-09-2021

Library Liaison, Biosciences and Bioengineering (Lib/Arch II) (R&L)

The MIT Libraries seek a collaborative, dynamic, and innovative professional to join our team as the Biosciences & Bioengineering Library Liaison. This position resides within the Research and Learning Directorate, reporting to the Department Head for Liaison, Instruction, and Reference Services (LIRS). The Biosciences Library Liaison supports biology and biological engineering teaching and research within the Institute in emerging research methods and open science. The Libraries' pedagogical philosophy aligns with the Institute's motto Mens et Manus that translates from Latin as “Mind and Hand.” Our motto reflects the educational ideals of MIT's founders, who promoted education for practical application. Among its ranks, MIT has some of the world's leading researchers and educators who are pioneering dynamic approaches to global challenges with technology and science. Researchers across our departments, labs, and centers (DLCs) dedicate themselves to paradigm-shifting practices in data-intensive and computational methods, international collaborations, the promotion of open science and ethical technology design, and ground-breaking cross-disciplinary innovations. Therefore, the successful candidate will demonstrate a high capacity to develop and contribute to our educational ecosystem and MIT science and engineering librarians' collective work in a Community of Practice.

The incoming Biosciences and Bioengineering Library Liaison will also participate and/or lead in service and infrastructure development projects. Supporting our community through the COVID-19 pandemic affords a talented and highly motivated individual the opportunity to partner with us in re-envisioning and reshaping our service model while advancing the MIT Libraries mission as informed by our New Urgency Vision. As a commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility, and social justice are essential values within the Libraries and the Institute, the incoming Biosciences and Bioengineering Library Liaison must apply a culturally competent lens to this vital position within our organization.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • The Biosciences and Bioengineering Library Liaison will work with a talented and engaged team to coordinate, shape, and deliver services by:
  • Using outreach strategies for developing relationships with faculty and researchers that optimize the impact of library expertise and services.
  • Helping researchers find and manage information and data, and critically evaluate and use research tools, platforms, and infrastructure.
  • Applying knowledge of trends in science and engineering to service delivery and design.
  • Developing library collections in relevant disciplines and supporting initiatives in open access, open science, and open data.
  • Teaching in the library program on critical information skills, helping students understand the social consequences of how data and information are used, created, and shared.
  • Engaging in systematic, ongoing learning activities to build skills for professional impact and cultural competence.
  • Participating in or leading project teams and fostering team outcomes by using best practice tools and techniques.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Required:

  • An advanced degree in relevant disciplines, preferably biosciences, or an MLS/MLIS.
  • A minimum of 3 years relevant experience, including experience working with data and scholarly information in science research.
  • Essential demonstrated knowledge and skills in science and engineering contexts include:
    • The successful development of strategies for doing outreach and building relationships to deliver high impact services, and capacity to adapt outreach skills to the MIT context.
    • Knowledge of biosciences literature and resources with the ability to select materials for library collections according to campus needs.
    • Experience working with and managing data sets relevant in the biosciences and familiarity with tools used for cleaning data, version control, documentation, and analysis. o Experience in teaching and learning design to meet learning outcomes.
    • Strong commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility. o Demonstrated experience applying principles of diversity and inclusion in service development. o Experience working with teams using project management methods.
    • Experience providing expert consultation in research support and systematically building skills over time.
    • Strong collaborative, organizational and communication skills across multiple contexts, such as giving reports and presentations, working with teams, leading and participating in meetings, developing proposals with numerous, diverse stakeholders. We expect the candidate to be stronger in some qualifications listed above than others; we are committed to helping our future colleague expand their skills, as well as learning from their areas of strength.

Preferred:

  • Familiarity with various tools and platforms for collaborative research, including GitHub, electronic lab notebooks, open-source and open science tools, and data repositories.
  • Familiarity with research trends and with ethical, legal, and policy issues in science and engineering.
  • Ability to align work, projects, and personal learning with Libraries and institutional strategic directions.

SALARY AND BENEFITS: This job is a pay Grade 8 with the following range (min-mid-max):

$65,125 | $86,320 | $107,515

Actual salary will depend on qualifications and experience. MIT offers excellent benefits including a choice of health and retirement plans, a dental plan, tuition assistance, and fully subsidized MBTA passes for local bus and subway service. Flexible work arrangements, including flex-time and telecommuting, are considered for positions that meet established criteria. The MIT Libraries is a collegial and supportive working environment and fosters professional growth of staff with management training and travel funding for professional meetings

APPLICATION PROCESS:

Apply online at: https://hr.mit.edu/careers applications must include cover letter and resume. Priority will be given to applications received April 2nd, 2021; position open until filled. MIT is strongly and actively committed to diversity within its community and particularly encourages applications from qualified women and minority candidates. Professionals who enthusiastically embrace the empathy, courage, self-reflection and respect of a multi-cultural, diverse and inclusive workplace, and who strive to incorporate those values in their work and interactions are encouraged to apply. 

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