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April 10, 2024

Data Services Librarian

  • University of Massachusetts Amherst
  • Amherst, MA
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About UMass Amherst

UMass Amherst, the Commonwealth’s flagship campus, is a nationally ranked public research university offering a full range of undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. The University sits on nearly 1,450-acres in the scenic Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts and offers a rich cultural environment in a bucolic setting close to major urban centers. In addition, the University is part of the Five Colleges (including Amherst College, Hampshire College, Mount Holyoke College, and Smith College), which adds to the intellectual energy of the region.

Job Summary

Works in collaboration with the Data Services unit to develop and deliver forward-thinking, measurable, campus-aligned programming, resources, and services to support researchers throughout the data lifecycle; develop educational and outreach programming and support for graduate students, postdoctoral scholars, and faculty; and coordinate project support for data-intensive research. Assists University of Massachusetts Amherst researchers and scholars in meeting the data management and sharing requirements of funding agencies and publishers. Assists in developing strong, collaborative relationships with library subject specialists in data-intensive disciplines and with relevant offices, departments, and centers across campus. The Data Services Librarian will be part of a team of specialists focused on data management, spatial data and GIS, open science, bibliometrics, data science, and data visualization.

For this position, the Data Services Librarian will have a specialization in at least one of the following areas: data visualization, bibliometrics and research impact, data science and statistics, or data curation.

Essential Functions

  • Delivers data services including writing data management plans, providing research impact training, providing data visualization expertise, developing guides, and teaching workshops
  • Provides consultations with researchers and research groups in partnership with liaison librarians on research data management planning, research impact, and other related topics
  • In collaboration with data services staff, designs and implements a sustainable framework to advance data services including writing data management plans, providing research impact training, providing data visualization expertise, developing guides, and teaching workshops
  • Participates in developing vision and direction for the Libraries’ Data Services including strengthening and promoting existing services and developing new services across all disciplines. Participates in assessment of campus-wide data needs and current support services and activities for continuous improvement, including the development of workflows.
  • Keeps apprised of key issues, trends, tools, technologies, resources, and methodologies for computationally centered, data-driven research (e.g., data science, bibliometrics/research impact, research data management, data literacy, visualization, text mining, etc.), and regularly incorporates this knowledge into planning and sharing of information with library colleagues and campus partners as relevant
  • In collaboration with data services staff and other staff in the division, develops information policies, services, and infrastructure informed by legal, regulatory, and federal requirements in cooperation with relevant university stakeholders, including the Office of Research and Engagement, Information Technology, and compliance officers
  • In collaboration with library colleagues, coordinates and manages requests for the compilation of research impact and measurement output through use of bibliometrics-based approaches (including altmetrics and other research metrics approaches) for researchers, administrators, and campus units
  • Partners with UMass Amherst’s Office of Research & Engagement, Research Administrators Advisory Board, Information Technology, and other relevant campus units on data management initiatives.
  • Serves on internal committees as assigned and may be asked to represent the Libraries on campus committees, Five College Committees, and Boston Library Consortium Committees, and/or at other selected professional meetings and conferences
  • Participates in professional development and continuing education activities, including service in professional and scholarly associations, and presenting and publishing on work-related topics

Other Functions

  • Works a flexible schedule, which includes some evening, weekend, and holiday hours
  • Performs other related duties as assigned or required to meet the goals of the department, Libraries, and University

Organizational Values

  • Commitment to support justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion (JEDI) within the Libraries and across the institution
  • Ability to build and sustain effective working relationships and work collaboratively in a diverse and fast-paced environment
  • Purposefully promote a One Library environment for all that encourages inclusion, personal growth, respect, self-reflection, curiosity, and continuous learning
  • Understands responsibilities with respect to conflicts of interest and behaves in ways consistent with both law and with university policy

Minimum Qualifications

  • Graduate degree in librarianship (from a program accredited by the American Library Association) or related field, or combination of an advanced degree in a relevant subject area and experience in libraries, archives, museums, or similar institutions
  • Minimum of 3 years relevant experience, such as providing data services, in libraries, archives, museums, or similar academic settings
    Demonstrated knowledge of data management, data curation, and preservation principles and practices, including issues and technical challenges related to format migration, preservation, metadata, and data retrieval
  • Familiarity with data sources such as ICPSR, Mergent, Roper, Social Explorer, World Development Indicators, etc.
  • Familiarity with bibliographic data sources such as CrossRef, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Google Scholar, etc.
  • Demonstrated knowledge providing specialized data services in at least one of the following areas:
    a. Data visualization, or b. Bibliometrics and research impact, or c. Data science and statistics, or d. Data curation
  • Demonstrated ability to take initiative, be self-directed, problem-solve, and demonstrate a commitment to inclusion, service excellence, innovation, and creativity
  • Demonstrated ability to build and sustain effective working relationships and work collaboratively in a diverse and fast-paced environment
  • Strong organizational, project, and time management skills to lead or coordinate multiple projects and work with minimal supervision
  • Evidence of commitment to support justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion (JEDI) within the Libraries and the institution
  • Evidence of ability for ongoing professional development and contribution to the library profession

Preferred Qualifications

  • Background that demonstrates proficiency with tools for working with data such as scripting languages (such as Python or JavaScript), statistical solutions (such as R, SAS, STATA, SPSS, etc.), or qualitative data tools (such as NVIVO, MAXQDA, etc.)
  • Working knowledge and understanding of bibliometric indicators such as author metrics, article metrics, journal metrics, humane metrics, altmetrics, etc.
  • Experience with data visualization software, such as VOSviewer, Sci2, Gephi, Tableau, etc.
  • Ability to present data through visual storytelling or narrative techniques
  • Successful experience on cross-departmental teams to accomplish projects and initiatives
  • Experience working with DMPTool (or similar tools) to prepare data management plans
  • Familiarity with data sharing policies for U.S. federally funded research and emerging best practices for compliance with funder requirements
  • Familiarity with geospatial data; data visualization tools, trends, and techniques; generative AI tools and/or machine learning
  • Experience teaching the evolving landscape of open and public data, data ethics, and data sharing
  • Experience teaching quantitative and/or qualitative software for working with data

Work Schedule

The regular working schedule for this position is Monday – Friday, day hours.
The incumbent of the position is expected to work on a flexible schedule, which includes some evening, weekend, and holiday hours.

This position has the opportunity for a hybrid work schedule, which is defined by the University as an arrangement where an employee’s work is regularly performed at a location other than the campus workspace for a portion of the week. As this position falls within the Massachusetts Society of Professors (MSP) Union, it is subject to the terms and conditions of the MSP collective bargaining agreement.

Salary Information

Librarian III or IV
a. Librarian III salary floor: $69,500

b. Librarian IV salary floor: $78,900

Salary commensurate with experience.

For full information and to apply.