Director of Research and Scholarly Initiatives

Description

SMU Libraries- Director of Research and Scholarly Initiatives  - (CEN00000044)

Salary Range: $65,000 - $90,000 (Librarian II-IV rank commensurate with experience and qualifications)

About SMU: SMU’s more than 12,000 diverse, high-achieving students come from all 50 states and 80 countries to take advantage of the University’s small classes, hands-on research opportunities, leadership development, community service, international study and innovative programs. The University offers a strong foundation in the humanities and sciences and undergraduate, graduate and professional degree programs through eight schools.

Now in its second century of achievement, SMU is increasingly recognized for the ways it supports students, faculty and alumni as they become ethical leaders in their professions and communities. The University’s entrepreneurial spirit lives in people from every academic discipline who see opportunities to create something new in the world – and work hard to bring their innovations to life. SMU’s relationship with Dallas – the dynamic center of one of the nation’s fastest-growing regions – offers unique learning, research, social and career opportunities that provide a launch pad for our students, faculty and alumni to make a global impact. On the most beautiful college campus in the country, SMU Mustangs are energized by unbridled opportunities – from teaching, learning and research to creativity, performance and athletic endeavor.

About the Position:

This role is an on-campus, in-person position.

SMU Libraries seeks a team-oriented, creative, and analytical thinker with strong communication and data skills to join a dynamic library organization dedicated to innovative ideas and services. The Director of Research and Scholarly Initiatives will lead the SMU Libraries’ research team to plan and implement services that support original research projects, particularly those focused on big data, digital research and scholarship methods, and interdisciplinary collaborations. The director, in close collaboration with the Director of Educational Initiatives and campus partners, will continue to build the research curriculum and will teach, create instructional content, and consult with researchers. The Director will spearhead the vision for the libraries’ new Scholarship and Research Studio in Fondren Library which will serve as the university’s central hub of research support. This position requires a high degree of collaborative leadership, cross-organization and interdisciplinary vision, digital confidence, and individual initiative, and will be a key partner in accomplishing the libraries’ strategic plan and the university’s mission to attain tier one research classification.

SMU is a nationally ranked private research university in Dallas, Texas with eight degree-granting schools. SMU Libraries includes six libraries on the main campus and one library at our satellite location in Taos, NM. Librarians at SMU are staff, appointed to a rank, and are eligible for promotion.

SMU Libraries, and SMU as a whole, is dedicated to diversity and inclusion. We seek to hire a person who shares our values of a diverse and equitable workplace based on teamwork with a proactive and positive approach in all that we do.

Essential Functions:

• Supervises a team of 2.5 FTE to plan, manage, and promote services that support faculty and student research projects in partnership with the Office of Information Technology (OIT) and other key collaborators.
• Plans the curriculum related to the data and research life cycle and teaches with the team. Builds own knowledge and skills in digital scholarship tools and software, GIS and spatial information, data management, and available research technologies and software.
• Manages services that measure and enhance researchers’ scholarly and publishing impact through citation analysis and research profile systems and other related methods.
• Advocates and builds awareness of library resources and research services with the support of the marketing team.
• Coordinates with internal library partners, such as the Libraries’ Instruction Team, the Norwick Center for Digital Solutions, and the manager of SMU Scholar, SMU’s institutional repository.
• Liaises with external campus partners who provide research services such as the Office of Information Technology, the Office of Research, the Center for Research Computing, the Moody School of Graduate and Advanced Studies, the Data Science Institute, and the Office of Engaged Learning to provide efficient delivery and coordinated marketing of university research services to faculty and students. 
• Leads planning for a new physical space in Fondren Library called the Scholarship and Research Studio to support faculty and student research. 
• Supervises a team of two full-time librarians and one part-time GIS specialist by providing clear communication and direction, establishing goals, and mentoring professional growth and development.
• Gathers statistics and creates reports to measure the impact of services on faculty and student research successes.
• Keeps abreast of the latest trends and best practices in digital scholarship and scholarly research services to enhance the libraries’ service portfolio.
• Continues professional growth through publishing, presentations, or participation and leadership in professional organizations. Serves on or chairs library, university, and professional organization committees as appropriate.

Required Qualifications:

• Master's degree in library/information science from an ALA-accredited program or advanced degree in other relevant or related field
• A minimum of three years of work experience with progressive responsibility in an academic setting or research library
• Minimum of two years supervisory experience or leadership experience, such as leading a team or project

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience providing services in digital scholarship, data management, research metrics, identity management or scholarly publishing
• Experience and skills related to research data (locating, managing, storing, ethical considerations, visualization, etc.), GIS, coding languages, digital scholarship, or any ‘software carpentry’ coding skills
• Experience designing and teaching classes, preferably in higher education
• Demonstrated ability to lead people and build collaborative teams
• Strong organizational and planning skills
• Experience conducting research or providing services to support research projects  
• Demonstrated ability to think strategically about services for a university community
• Demonstrated ability to quickly learn and apply new tools for research projects
• Demonstrated ability using programming languages such as R, Python, Julia, or C++ in a research context

Deadline to Apply: 

Open until filled. Applications submitted by March 20, 2023 will receive priority consideration.

Applicants are required to submit a resume or CV and a cover letter addressing the requirements for this position.

EEO Statement:

SMU will not discriminate in any program or activity on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, or gender identity and expression. The Executive Director for Access and Equity/Title IX Coordinator is designated to handle inquiries regarding nondiscrimination policies and may be reached at the Perkins Administration Building, Room 204, 6425 Boaz Lane, Dallas, TX 75205, 214-768-3601, accessequity@smu.edu.

Benefits:

SMU offers staff a broad, competitive array of health and related benefits. In addition to traditional benefits such as health, dental, and vision plans, SMU offers a wide range of wellness programs to help attract, support, and retain our employees whose work continues to make SMU an outstanding education and research institution.

SMU is committed to providing an array of retirement programs that benefit and protect you and your family throughout your working years at SMU and, if you meet SMU's retirement eligibility criteria, during your retirement years after you leave SMU.

The value of learning at SMU isn't just about preparing our students for the future. Employees have access to a wide variety of professional and personal development opportunities, including tuition benefits.

Primary Location: USA-TX-Dallas

Job: Library Services

Organization : Central University Libraries

Schedule : Regular

Shift : Staff

Employee Status : Individual Contributor

Job Type : Full-time

Job Level : Day Job

Travel : No