The University of Pennsylvania Libraries seek a dynamic, service-oriented librarian to proactively provide outreach services to Penn’s biomedical research community, with over 2,000 full-time health sciences faculty, consistently a leader in research funding and discovery, top ranking in NIH funding with more than $450 million in NIH dollars in 2012. This newly created position is in direct support of the Penn Libraries’ Strategic Plan, which emphasizes ” Excellence in Learning Management & Research Support” and “Expertise in Knowledge Management Services.”
The position will be instrumental in assessing research needs and creating a set of services in support of the research life cycle at Penn, ranging from development of a data management portal (e.g., Symplectic Elements) to implementing tools to enhance research collaboration (VIVO). The broad goals of the position are to integrate the Biomedical Library into the arena of the overlapping fields of e-science, data storage and curation, bibliometrics (citation tracking and analysis), scholarly communication and research collaboration, as well as genomic and biological data, and to establish the Libraries as a clearinghouse for research resources. The anticipated outcomes are improved research efficiency and maximization of research impact.
Reporting to the Associate Director, Biomedical Library, the position will be a member of the Biomedical Library Information Services team. The position will be based at the Biomedical Library while working closely with colleagues throughout the Penn Libraries, including the Dental and Veterinary librarians, science librarians (Engineering, Chemistry, Math/Physics), IT professionals, and the Scholarly Communications Librarian.
Outreach Activities
- Assess and monitor needs of researchers and research teams to identify opportunities for the Penn Libraries.
- Develop a network of IT and informatics colleagues and research administrators, both throughout Penn’s campus and externally through professional meetings, to collaborate on research support services.
- Provide liaison services to the Biomedical Graduate Studies (BGS) programs of the Perelman School of Medicine, a key constituency of 750+ students, building on recent successful model of direct outreach to student groups.
- Participate in Biomedical Research Cores’ activities such as the Research Cores Facilities Fair to promote related Library services and position the Biomedical Library as a Research Core Facility.
- Participate on committees and task forces at the schools and centers served by the position as well as within the Penn Libraries.
Bioinformatics
- Partner with Bioinformatics Core to offer complementary services related to the provision of bioinformatics/genomic databases and the training in use of such databases. Develop and maintain website highlighting bioinformatics/genomic databases and training opportunities.
Research collaboration and management
- Support VIVO and research information management system development and implementation
Bibliometrics
- Monitor and evaluate citation and other research analysis tools.
- Upon request by faculty, deans and administrators, conduct citation analysis reports on an institutional, departmental, and individual author level.
- In consultation with departments such as the Office of Faculty Affairs and Professional Development, provide workshops, for both library staff and for Penn faculty and staff, demonstrating various forms of analyzing research impact and productivity.
E-Science, data management, scholarly communication
- Monitor data storage and curation activities and interests on campus to identify opportunities for library partnerships.
- In conjunction with appropriate stakeholders, develop workflows and mechanisms for depositing Penn Faculty’s research data and research papers in repositories for the sharing of research data.
- Participate on Penn Libraries’ Repository Services Team.
- Monitor trends in scholarly communication and publishing, with special attention to PubMed Central, the NSF, and the Penn Scholarly Commons repository.
Information Services Team
- Maintain content on the “Researchers” tab on the Biomedical Library homepage.
- Provide reference service and research consultations.
- Participate on other projects and initiatives as assigned.
- An ALA-accredited Master’s degree in Library and Information Science and a minimum of 2 years of professional library experience in an academic library or research center or equivalent combination of education and experience; and a demonstrated interest and expertise in informatics and/or relevant scientific field.
- Self-starter with relationship-building skills.
- Demonstrated interest and expertise in informatics and/or a relevant scientific field.
- Course work in or equivalent knowledge and experience with metrics and statistics.
- Demonstrated collaborative and organizational strength, and strong communication and interpersonal skills.
- Understanding of the potential of developing technologies for enhancing services, and demonstrated knowledge of the latest trends and available tools for teaching and electronic delivery of information.
- Ability to work independently as well as operate within a collegial framework of faculty, staff, students and administrators to deliver desired outcomes.
- Demonstrated commitment to professional growth and active involvement in professional activities.
Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience, and includes a generous benefits package, additional information available at http://www.hr.upenn.edu/jobs/benefits.asp.
Potential candidates are invited to submit a letter of application that addresses the needs and qualifications of the position, along with their resume and the names, addresses, and phone numbers of three references who can address the suitability of the candidate for the position described, as well as complete an on-line employment application at http://jobs.hr.upenn.edu/applicants/Central?quickFind=197281.