University of Kentucky - Research Data Librarian



Recently embarking on a historic $2.1 billion comprehensive campaign, the University of Kentucky set an ambitious path to be a destination for students, scholars, and healthcare providers to forge new discoveries and arrive at world-class outcomes. University of Kentucky Libraries is vital to fulfilling the goals of enhancing and expanding the university’s research enterprise, and we are looking for a faculty librarian to lead research data efforts. Reporting to the Coordinator of Digital Scholarship and Data, the Research Data Librarian will develop an understanding of the existing and emerging research data needs of faculty and students and, through strategic collaborations, develop sustainable and responsive services to support use and management of research data. The position will help students, faculty, and other researchers develop critical research data skills through expert consultation, workshops, and classroom instruction. In close collaboration with library colleagues, the Research Data Librarian will participate in data literacy and education initiatives, and contribute to projects that seek to understand and demonstrate the impact of the university’s research enterprise. There is potential growth for the position in the areas of data analysis, data visualization, and other areas of digital scholarship.



Duties and Responsibilities:

● Provide instruction, support, and expertise on existing and emerging tools and workflows for data management, sharing, and analysis, with an emphasis on open and reproducible practices

● Develop strong, collaborative relationships with researchers and support units to foster a deep understanding of data needs of university researchers through consultations, projects, and outreach

● Collaborate with liaison librarians and other UK Libraries colleagues to develop robust, sustainable, targeted, and timely research data support tools and programs

● Build and promote research data sets across all disciplines and programs

● Assess the usefulness of existing and emerging data tools and methods



As a member of the UKL faculty, the Research Data Librarian participates in planning, shared governance, and UK Libraries-wide faculty activities. This is a full-time, 12-month, tenure eligible position in the Librarian Title Series (open rank) which requires scholarship, professional development, and service that contributes to the effectiveness of UK Libraries, the university, and the profession as outlined in Administrative Regulation 2:7 (https://www.uky.edu/regs/ar2-7). Your Distribution of Effort (DOE) range: Primary assignment: 70-80%, Service/Prof. development and scholarship 20-30% and is reviewed at minimum annually each year. Salary commensurate with experience and qualifications. The minimum salary for a Librarian IV is $57,000 and for a Librarian III is $62,500.



Required Qualifications:

● ALA-accredited graduate degree in Library and Information Science or advanced degree in a comparable field from an accredited institution

● Knowledge of foundational research data management principles and best practices, with a particular focus on the research data lifecycle

● Demonstrated ability to learn and apply new skills and tools; evidence of ongoing, self-directed learning

● Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, both oral and written

● Commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion

● Ability to meet the requirements of a tenure-track position through research, publication, presentation, and professional service



Preferred Qualifications:

● Work-related experience in an academic or research library

● Instructional experience with a range of constituents

● Demonstrated initiative, flexibility, and creativity to manage projects both independently and as part of a team in a dynamic work environment



Position is a full-time, 12-month, tenure-track eligible position. All career levels are encouraged to apply. The University of Kentucky is committed to a diverse and inclusive workforce by ensuring all our students, faculty, and staff work in an environment of openness and acceptance. We strive to foster a community where people of all backgrounds, identities, and perspectives can feel secure and welcome. We also value the well-being of each of our employees and are dedicated to creating a healthy place to work, learn and live. In the interest of maintaining a safe and healthy environment for our students, employees, patients and visitors the University of Kentucky is a Tobacco & Drug Free campus. Recently recognized as one of the best employers in higher education by The Chronicle of Higher Education and ranked among America’s Best Employers and Best Employers for Diversity by Forbes Magazine, the University of Kentucky strives to create an environment where all staff and faculty are embraced and supported. Employees are offered a wide array of excellent benefit options and more information is available at: www.uky.edu/HR/benefits<http://www.uky.edu/HR/benefits>. Library tenure-track faculty are also eligible to receive a generous relocation allowance, start-up funding for research, and annual professional development/travel funds.



The University of Kentucky is a public, land grant university of approximately 32,000 students, 3,500 faculty, and 15,000 staff dedicated to improving people’s lives through excellence in education, research and creative work, service, and health care. With over 200 academic programs across sixteen colleges and professional schools, the University plays a critical leadership role by promotion diversity, inclusion, economic development, and human well-being. Located in the beautiful bluegrass region of central Kentucky, the University of Kentucky Libraries includes the main William T. Young Library, Medical Center Library, Special Collections Research Center, Fine Arts Library, Design Library, Education Library, Lexmark Library, and Science & Engineering Library. Combined library holdings total more than four million volumes. The system has a faculty of 50 and a support and professional staff of 86. UK Libraries currently uses the Ex Libris Alma and Primo systems. UK Libraries memberships include the Association of Research Libraries, LYRASIS, ASERL, and the Center for Research Libraries. UK is a regional depository for government publications.



To apply, interested applicants must complete a UK Online Academic Profile at https://ukjobs.uky.edu/postings/421360 and attach two documents:



* Curriculum vitae

* Cover letter



Please include contact information for three references when prompted in the application. We ask that one of the references be your current supervisor.

If you have any questions, contact H/R employment, phone (859) 257-9555, press 2.



Applications will be reviewed beginning October 3rd and continue until the position is filled which we look for the position to start on or after January 2023.


Given the COVID-19 pandemic, and the need to protect our university community including our students, staff, faculty and visitors, the University of Kentucky is requiring COVID-19 vaccination for all new hires prior to starting employment. Therefore, as of October 18, 2021, all new hires prior to their first day of employment must submit appropriate documentation showing, i) completion of the first vaccination against COVID-19, or ii) completion of the full vaccination series against COVID-19, or iii) approved exemption (medical contraindications or a sincerely held religious belief) through the formal exemption process from the COVID-19 vaccination requirement. For those employees who have completed the first vaccination against COVID-19 prior to their first day of employment, the second vaccination (if applicable) must be completed following the vaccination recommended schedule to be considered fully vaccinated.

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Jennifer Hootman
Coordinator of Digital Scholarship
University of Kentucky
William T. Young Library, 1-15
500 S. Limestone Street
Lexington, KY 40506-0456
(859) 218-2284 | [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>
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