Bridge to the Faculty Research Scholar (Data Science Librarian)

The UIC University Library seeks a creative, innovative and collaborative Bridge to Faculty Research Scholar (Data Science Librarian). This position will begin on August 16, 2021.

The successful candidate for this newly created position will play a critical role in the development and delivery of digital scholarship and data science programs and services to the UIC community.  The scholar will work closely with the Assessment and Scholarly Communications team, liaison librarians, digital programs librarians, and other faculty and staff across the libraries.  This position reports to Head of Assessment and Scholarly Communications.

The Bridge to the Faculty Scholars program seeks to advance diversity on the permanent faculty level by encouraging the recruitment, retention, and promotion of outstanding librarians from different backgrounds, with an emphasis on attracting individuals from groups who have been historically underrepresented in academic libraries. In addition to receiving active mentoring through the UIC University Library, the Bridge to Faculty Scholar will be part of a cohort at the university level that will meet regularly through activities coordinated by the Office of Diversity.

Subject to satisfactory performance, and University approval, the successful scholar may be re-appointed for one additional year. Successful scholars in the Bridge to the Faculty program may have the opportunity to transition to tenure-track faculty at UIC starting in the 2023-2024 academic year. 

Key Responsibilities

• Implement digital scholarship and data science services based on the needs of faculty, researchers, and students.
• Partner with faculty, students, and other researchers to create effective, innovative, and sustainable digital scholarship projects.
• Provide guidance and project support to faculty and students on software and tools such as data analysis and visualization, GIS, text mining, text-encoding, immersive technology, or social network analysis.
• Develop and conduct training, group instruction, and workshops, both individually and collaboratively, on digital scholarship / data science research methods, tools, platforms, and best practices.
• Collaborate with other units on campus to organize lectures, seminars, and other events on digital scholarship.
• Maintain awareness of emerging and evolving technology, trends, tools, methods, and initiatives in digital scholarship / data science.
• Evaluate existing and emerging tools and technologies to inform decision-making around technology and platform support, and to identify potential uses in humanities and/or social science research. Prototype demonstration projects and/or implement tools for use by others.
• Support the work of liaison librarians working with classes that have a digital scholarship component.
• Contribute to the knowledge base of the profession through research, publication, and professional engagement in line with a tenured faculty appointment.
• Participate in library, university, and professional service activities.

This is a full-time 12-month appointment and includes a competitive salary and benefits package. The minimum salary for this appointment is $55,000.

Minimum Qualifications

• The successful candidate must have completed their ALA Accredited MLIS within the past 5 years – no earlier than August 15, 2017 and no later than August 15, 2021.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Hands-on experience in an academic or research setting in one or more of the following areas, as they relate to digital scholarship: data science, data mining and visualization, text mining and analysis, natural language processing, human computer interaction, GIS related applications and tools.
• Knowledge in the use and application of data science tools, technologies, and methods in the service of digital scholarship.
• Understanding of current trends and methodologies in digital scholarship, data science, and scholarly communication.
• Demonstrated commitment to and support for a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion. 

• Strong creative vision and ability to lead innovative initiatives and services.

• Knowledge of research processes and the role of data within contemporary research and scholarship.

For fullest consideration, apply by April 30, 2021 with cover letter, supporting resume, and name and email address of at least three professional references.  Please address your commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion in the cover letter.  The position close date is May 14, 2021.

All applicants must submit an online application through jobs.uic.edu. To apply, click on the following link: https://jobs.uic.edu/job-board/job-details?jobID=144901

Questions may be directed to the chair of the search committee, Jung Mi Scoulas, at jscoul2@uic.edu.

The University of Illinois at Chicago is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action employer. Minorities, women, veterans and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

Offers of employment by the University of Illinois may be subject to approval by the University’s Board of Trustees and are made contingent upon the candidate’s successful completion of any criminal background checks and other pre-employment assessments that may be required for the position being offered. Additional information regarding such pre-employment checks and assessments may be provided as applicable during the hiring process.

The University of Illinois System requires candidates selected for hire to disclose any documented finding of sexual misconduct or sexual harassment and to authorize inquiries to current and former employers regarding findings of sexual misconduct or sexual harassment. For more information, visit https://www.hr.uillinois.edu/cms/One.aspx?portalId=4292&pageId=1411899