Head of Research Services

Description

JOB DESCRIPTION

QUALIFICATIONS:

• A degree and recognised postgraduate qualification in librarianship, information science or related area.

OVERALL PURPOSE OF THE JOB:

The Glucksman Library is building a team of librarians to support research and digital scholarship at UL. Key to this is the appointment of Head, Research Services. 

This new post will integrate with new and existing staff to provide expertise and services for faculty, researchers and post graduate students in enabling research, promoting research outputs and managing and analysing data. 

The inspiring15,000 sq. meters, New Glucksman Library, opening in 2018 will transform the Library and the University for scholarship in a digital world.  In keeping with UL’s traditions of innovation, technology and people focus, the library will provide specialist facilities to meet the varied needs of research and scholarship, including data analytics and data visualization labs.  The post holder working collaboratively with library departments and partners across the campus will develop these spaces, technology resources and related services to enhance research at the university

The post holder will be a collaborative experienced forward- thinking leader responsible for development and management of the Library’s Research Services Department. This is a new and innovative department is designed to meet the rapidly developing and increasingly complex needs of researchers operating in a digital research and scholarship environment.  It is closely connected to the University’s strategic goals to strengthen UL’s research impact and enhance its research profile.

Key responsibilities of this post are to lead the development and delivery of research services, as outlined below. 

The post holder will be a member of the Library Management Team and will be expected to provide strategic input into the development and management of the library and to the creation of a culture of excellence in the provision of resources, facilities and services. 

Research Services

As a new initiative the Head, Research Services & Bibliometrics will develop and deliver a range of research services at all stages of the research life cycle including maximising research impact, bibliometrics, publication strategy, open access publishing, data analysis, research data management which are detailed below.  During the development phase of the department the post holder will deliver either the Research Impact OR Research Data function depending on experience.

The service will be developed in close collaboration with the Library Director, Library Management Team, VP Research, Research Office and others. In particular it will require close cooperation with the Head, Technical & Digital Services and the Head, Information Services to ensure expertise in these departments is fully utilised.

Research impact and bibliometrics

·       Develop effective strategies to maximise UL’s research impact.

·       Ensure that the University fully exploits the use of bibliometrics in the external and internal evaluation of the quality of the University’s research.

·       Produce, analyse and evaluate data relating to research performance and identify strategies for improving citation rates.

·       Provide expertise and high-level advice on national and research funders’ policies with regard to the use of bibliometrics as a measurement of research quality, contributing to the University’s research strategy.

·       Consult with and advise Faculties, Departments and research groups on their performance and on strategies for improvement.

·       Consult with and advise Faculty on their performance and on strategies for improvement.

·       Lead on the promotion of the University institutional repository (ULIR) to ensure UL’s research output is accessible.

Research Data

·       Lead on the development and implementation of Research Data services to ensure compliance with funder mandates and best practice including data management, data sharing, metadata, preservation, funder data policies, to faculty and researchers to faculty and researchers. 

·       Ensuring regular reporting on Research Data Management is provided to institutional and external stakeholders as required.

·       Promote the benefits of good Research Data Management practices across the institution, push the agenda for open data further and understand researchers needs throughout the process.

·       Identify and develop effective relationships with key internal and external stakeholders to develop RDM infrastructure and working practices.

·       Provide advice and guidance for researchers on data management planning and best practice in RDM.

·       Design, develop and deliver RDM training and awareness-raising in conjunction with library teams.

·       Lead on the development and implementation of services and programmes relating to data analysis including research tools and methods of analysis such as geospatial analysis, text analysis, data analysis & modelling, data visualisation, 3D modelling & printing.

Open Science - Open Access

·       Lead on the implementation and development of Open Science and Open Access policy and initiatives to ensure compliance with funder mandates and assist in the promotion of UL research outputs. 

·       Ensuring reporting on Open Access is provided on a regular basis to institutional and external stakeholders.

·       Promote the benefits of Open Access across the institution, creating an open dialogue on its importance and working with researchers to further the agenda.

·       Maintain oversight of research funder mandates and publisher policies as they apply to open access, research data management and copyright, ensuring key developments are disseminated to the research community and reflected in University policies.

·       Develop Library’s support for implementation of research oriented identifiers such as ORCID and ISNIs.

 Researcher Skills Development

·       Lead on skills development for faculty, researchers and postgraduates.

·       Develop and contribute to the teaching components of the library’s research services and present to large and small groups where required.

·       Coordinate with library staff to organize workshops and training events and special programmes for Open Access Week, Open Data Week etc.

Leadership and Management

·       Develop the department and set strategic goals, standards and procedures in collaboration with the Director and other departments within the library.

·       Plan for the future development and exploitation of research spaces, services and staffing including the new library.

·       Advise on the acquisition and use of suitable software and online tools to support researchers.

·       Lead and manage change.

·       Provide leadership and manage departmental staff to create an effective team to deliver agreed objectives.

·       Be flexible and service-orientated.

·       Contribute to the ongoing development of the library strategy and service development as a member of the Library Management Team.

·       Lead on Library’s research services strategic development by representing UL in various fora and monitoring national policies, frameworks, and funding body regulations with implications for research support.

·       Liaise with government agencies, educational institutions and in professional bodies on the development of national strategies and services.

·       In collaboration with the Head, Technical and Digital Services will identify and adopt new and emerging forms of technologies such as data visualization, digital text editing, geospatial analysis etc.

Other

·       Evaluate and secure budget for new technologies and resources.

·       As required, contribute to the library’s desk services by carrying out regular, timetabled duties during daytime, evening and weekends (for which additional compensatory leave is granted, as per management/union agreements).

·       Working closely with staff in the Technical & Digital Services Department and the Special Collections & Archives Department, exploit the research potential of the Digital Library and the unique collections of the University.

·       Maintain and enhance professional development.

·       Present at library and other relevant conferences, seminars and workshops.

The above list of job functions is not exclusive or all-inclusive.  Other duties commensurate with the post may be assigned.

DESCRIPTION:

Essential Criteria

·       A degree and recognised postgraduate qualification in librarianship, information science or related area

·       3 Years professional experience in an academic/special library or research environment or related area

·       Demonstrable knowledge and experience of working with research impact / bibliometrics, or research data or other research related service

·       Excellent analytical and IT skills including the ability to explore, evaluate and interpret complex sets of information and the ability to pick up new software quickly.

·       Proven ability to work with data and analytics and track record of presenting complex data and analysis

·       Excellent understanding of the academic research cycle, the evolving scholarly communications domain and concepts such as getting published, publication impact, identifiers agenda, open access and research data analysis and management

·       Excellent liaison, communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to use tact, diplomacy and subtle strategies to influence others

·       High level ability to initiate and manage innovation and a demonstrable record of dealing successfully with organisational change.

·       Excellent presentation, verbal and written communication skills including the ability to converse articulately with University administrators and faculty

Desirable Criteria

·       A postgraduate degree by research.

·       Familiarity with research tools and methods of analysis such as geospatial analysis, text analysis, data analysis & modelling, data visualization, 3D modelling & printing, digital publishing and/or media creation.

·       Knowledge of and or experience with bibliometric software such as Sci Val, and In Cites and relevant tools and concepts such as Journal Citation Reports, bibliometric data sources that have citation tracking capability such as Web of Science, Scopus, Google Scholar altmetrics.

·       Experience with reference management software tools such as refWorks, EndNote.

·       Knowledge of issues related to researcher identification and experience using researcher profiling systems such as ORCID, Researcher ID.

·       Excellent understanding of metrics and related issues at individual researcher, institutional and disciplinary levels.

·       Excellent skills in leading and motivating staff and building a team culture.

·       A strong service orientation and a deep understanding of the teaching, learning and research needs of the University community.

·       Experience of contributing to development of policy and strategy.

·       Evidence of continued professional activity, serving on committees, presenting at conferences or publishing in professional journals.

·       Ability to proactively promote and market library services.

·       Relevant experience in research support or other area related to the role.

·       Demonstrable evidence of leading the development of a new service.

·       Experience of engaging in the academic publication process.

·       Other qualifications relevant to the role.