Science Innovation Librarian

The Science Innovation Librarian develops transformative library services that facilitate cutting-edge research and help shape the future of science and technology education across disciplines. As a member of the Research Assistance and Instruction Department (RAI), the position will support research and teaching primarily in the natural sciences and collaborate with campus and community partners to promote emerging technologies, trends, and career competencies in the sciences. The successful candidate should have a strong interest in expanding STEM learning opportunities for underrepresented populations. The position directly supports the Libraries’ strategic efforts to propel the University’s research and teaching agenda (3.C), including proactively developing liaison relationships with researchers; connecting them with resources and tools to advance STEM initiatives; and exploring new directions in information literacy (i.e., expanding our work with emerging technologies and career competencies). Additionally, the position will support engagement with campus-wide initiatives such as the Digital Transformation Center (2.B). Primary Responsibilities

• Serve as library liaison and primary collection specialist for science departments in the College of Arts & Sciences (i.e., Biology, Chemistry, Geographic & Environmental Sciences, Mathematics, and Physics & Astronomy) and provide additional liaison support for other STEM areas as needed.
• Explore emerging technologies and trends in the sciences and develop related library programs and services, focusing especially on underrepresented populations.
• Assist students and faculty with literatures searches, patent searches, copyright information, citation management, and other research needs.
• Provide targeted library and information literacy support for relevant campus departments, centers, and strategic initiatives, including digital badging and credentialing programs associated with the university’s Digital Transformation Center.
• Serve as a member of the Research Assistance and Instruction Department’s new Innovation and Entrepreneurship Team, developing services, programs, and resources that expand the library’s role in entrepreneurial activities across the university.
• Collaborate with the Office of Research and Innovation and other campus partners to enhance library support for sponsored research and technology transfer.
• Engage in scholarship and professional service as a faculty member in University Libraries.

Required Qualifications

• Master’s degree from an ALA-accredited program, or international equivalent in library or information science.
• Degree in a science or technology-related discipline or demonstrated experience providing library services or research support in the sciences.
• Experience with and/or strong interest in emerging technologies, especially in the context of scientific research, innovation, and entrepreneurship.
• Demonstrated excellence in written and oral communication.
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and an ability to collaborate successfully with diverse populations.
• Enthusiasm for teaching and providing library services in face-to-face, online, and hybrid settings.
• Proven ability to collaborate effectively with colleagues.
• Creative and flexible mindset.
• Potential to meet the University Libraries criteria for promotion and tenure.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in academic libraries.
• Experience teaching in face-to-face and online settings.
• Experience with and/or familiarity with key trends in STEM education, including relevant skills and competencies to advance student success.
• Experience with and/or familiarity with digital badging and micro-credentialing programs in higher education.
• Knowledge of the full research lifecycle in an academic research institution setting, as well as the role libraries play in supporting various aspects of this lifecycle.

Please note that the COVID-19 pandemic has created a number of challenges for early career librarians, including a lack of opportunities for certain professional experiences. We take this into consideration when evaluating applicants and strongly encourage anyone with an interest in the position to apply.  Additional Information: This is a tenure-track faculty position at the rank of Instructor or Assistant Professor with a 12-month annual contract.  Entry rank and salary are negotiated at the time of offer and are dependent on the experience, professional achievement and assigned rank of the successful candidate. The successful candidate will receive a comprehensive benefits package, an annual vacation of 22 working days, and support for professional development.  Promotion and tenure require demonstration of scholarship and successfully satisfying other criteria. The University Libraries, a member of the Association of Research Libraries, values its collaborative efforts both within the university and among other organizations.. University of Louisville Libraries are sincerely committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion. For more information, please see the Libraries' Diversity and Inclusion website, the Office of Diversity & Equity, and/or the University of Louisville Reaffirmation of Commitment to Equal Educational & Employment Opportunity. We are a member of the Association of Research Libraries (ARL) and participate in the Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL) Diversity Alliance, which unites academic libraries committed to increasing the hiring pipeline of qualified and talented individuals from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups. The University of Louisville is a Carnegie Research/High university and recipient of the Carnegie Community Engagement classification for Curricular Engagement & Outreach and Partnerships. The University has a national reputation for its high-quality undergraduate program; over twenty nationally recognized research, graduate, and professional programs; 23,000 graduate and undergraduate students; and a strong commitment to the community in which it resides. UofL is in the state’s largest urban area. Most notably recognized for Muhammad Ali, the Louisville Slugger, and the Kentucky Derby, Louisville is a compassionate, progressive home to nearly 1 million people from around the world. The richness of its history and the diversity of its communities make Louisville an ideal place to live, work, and play. Louisville offers hospitality, originality, and smaller-city advantages like shorter commutes and lower cost of living, alongside major city amenities like world-class performing arts, great sports, incredible dining, a nationally ranked public school system, and a nationally acclaimed parks system. Centrally located on the banks of the Ohio River and Interstate highways I-65, I-71, and I-64, Louisville is merely hours away from major cities like Chicago, Nashville, St. Louis, and Atlanta; however, there is no need to travel far with iconic attractions and unique experiences only Louisville can offer. Applications received by July 11, 2022 are given full consideration in the initial screening. Applications are accepted until the position is filled. Submit AS ONE PDF a letter of interest detailing your familiarity, aptitude, and/or experience with the position qualifications; CV/resume; and name, address, phone number, and e-mail address of three references via the online application at UofL’s Human Resources site https://louisville.edu/jobs/  (Job ID 43619) If you have questions or would like assistance with the application process, please contact: Rob Detmering, Professor and Head, Research Assistance & Instruction, Ekstrom Library, University of Louisville, robert.detmering@louisville.edu The University of Louisville is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer, and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, sex, age, color, national origin, ethnicity, creed, religion, disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity and expression, marital status, pregnancy, or veteran status. If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact the Employment team at employ@louisville.edu or 502.852.6258.

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