Head of Digital Scholarship

Description

Job Description Summary

About the Penn Libraries:

The Penn Libraries provides a network of information resources and knowledge services that are vital to teaching, research, and learning at the University of Pennsylvania. This network includes 19 physical libraries, recognized for their collections, and a digital library known for innovation and richness of content. Through dynamic programming and exhibitions, and through the acquisition and preservation of literary and artistic artifacts, the Penn Libraries documents a wealth of social and historical periods, bringing scholarship to life at the University and in the various communities it serves

Summary:

Reporting to the Director of Research Data and Digital Scholarship (RDDS), the Head of Digital Scholarship is responsible for the administrative management of libraries’ digital scholarship initiatives including those related to digital projects, digital humanities, public digital scholarship, and affiliated areas.

In collaboration with the Research Data and Digital Scholarship team and disciplinary specialists, they will

• coordinate project support through the RDDS sub-team, Digital Projects, Publications, and Partnerships.
• develop and deliver forward-thinking, measurable, campus-aligned programming to support researchers; and
• scaffold scalable education and outreach programming and support for graduate students, postdoctoral scholars, and faculty.
• prioritize the development of strong, collaborative relationships with library subject specialists as appropriate and with relevant campus partners, such as the Price Lab for the Digital Humanities.

The incumbent will manage a small team of specialists and students focused on digital projects and public digital scholarship

Job Description

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and implement a digital scholarship program encompassing digital projects, digital humanities, and related areas through various initiatives, such as leading the Digital Projects, Publications, and Partnerships team.
• Supervise and mentor a team of functional librarians and student workers in digital scholarship.
• Identify and implement strategies for understanding and responding to the existing and evolving digital scholarship needs of campus researchers.
• Build strong relationships with campus stakeholders to ensure services remain relevant and useful and provide specialized consulting services to the Penn community.
• Create and maintain research and how-to guides supporting the Penn community relevant to digital scholarship needs. Assist in the development and maintenance of the online presence for digital scholarship.
• Stay abreast of the trends and best practices in digital scholarship to enhance the libraries’ services by participating in local, national, and international digital scholarship networks, conferences, and meetings as appropriate.
• Serve as a co-manager of the Research Data & Digital Scholarship Exchange (RDDSx), a collaboration and training space in Van Pelt Library and coordinate programming in RDDSx in collaboration with the Director of RDDS and RDDS Staff.
• Assist with RDDS assessment and evaluation for digital scholarship.
• Perform additional duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in Library Science (MLS, MSLS, MLIS, etc.) from an ALA-accredited program and 5-7 years of relevant experience in a range of digital scholarship methods, tools, and skills (e.g., text analysis, GIS/mapping, digital exhibits, 3D/immersive technologies, network analysis, etc.), or equivalent combination of education and experience, are required.
• Experience developing and delivering instruction and instructional documentation (research guides, learning objects, etc.)
• Ability and willingness to independently learn new technologies and methodologies
• Knowledge of current research, technologies and scholarly trends in digital scholarship, open access, and scholarly communications
• Demonstrated ability to effectively collaborate in a team-based, service-oriented environment and to build partnerships with faculty and staff on research projects
• Demonstrated experience with server-side coding of web-based applications, collaborative GitHub workflows, and command line use. Knowledge of one or more programming languages, preferably including Python.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and oral; good problem-solving skills.
• Supervisory experience or successful experience managing a team

Preferred

• Experience providing services in digital scholarship, digital humanities or scholarly publishing
• Experience designing and teaching classes, preferably in higher education
• Experience with static site generation, such as Eleventy
• Experience conducting research or providing services to support research projects
• Advanced degree in the Humanities or Social Sciences

Pay Range

$74,476.00 – $98,753.00 Annual Rate

Salary offers are made based on the candidate’s qualifications, experience, skills, and education as they directly relate to the requirements of the position, as well as internal and market factors and grade profile.