Data Curation Librarian

Description

Data Curation Librarian

The Pennsylvania State University Libraries seeks an inquisitive and collaborative Data Curation Librarian to meet the growing demand for data sharing and curation support within the Penn State research community. This tenure-line library faculty position, based in the Research Informatics and Publishing Department’s Data Learning Center, involves developing and overseeing open data sharing services and workflows. The role includes providing guidance and support for curating, describing, sharing, and preserving research datasets.

The Data Curation Librarian will work closely with researchers, research support specialists, and fellow Libraries’ employees to deliver responsive data curation services that meet local needs. As such, the position involves staying informed of developments in open data sharing policy and technology and engaging with national and international data curation groups to share expertise and coordinate responses.

This role presents an exciting opportunity to contribute to open scholarship initiatives, empowering researchers to make their work openly accessible, reusable, and impactful.

Responsibilities:

• Offer consultations and resources for researchers to aid and encourage effective and efficient open and reproducible research data practices. Topics for consultations, trainings, and resources include best practices in open data and code sharing and repository selection to store and share data.
• Develop and organize introductory and advanced workshops and other educational programming on topics related to open data, code sharing, and curation.
• Set priorities based on user engagement and contribute to the collaborative development and delivery of institutional data repository services.
• Plan and implement data curation and preservation practices that govern data curation, ingest, and preservation of research data and improve the findability, accessibility, interoperability, and reusability (FAIRness) of research data in an institutional repository. These practices may include engaging a board of stakeholders, managing workflows, and developing standards and policies.
• Review datasets and code submitted to ScholarSphere, a Penn State institutional repository, and serve as a data curator in the Data Curation Network (datacurationnetwork.org), a membership organization of institutional and non-profit data repositories whose vision is to advance open research by making data more ethical, reusable, and understandable.
• Engage in research, scholarly publication, and professional service activities in areas related to core responsibilities.

Qualifications

Required:

• Advanced degree in a relevant subject area (e.g., ALA-accredited master’s degree in library or information science or a master’s or doctoral degree in another relevant field combined with experience in information science, informatics, and/or research)
• Familiarity with identifying the needs of researchers and providing individualized guidance that meets those needs.
• Experience developing and delivering both introductory and advanced curriculum via courses or workshops.
• Demonstrated interest in and/or familiarity with the research data lifecycle, research data management, data curation, and/or open data sharing practices.
• Commitment to fostering an equitable and inclusive workplace.

Preferred:

• Direct experience with sharing data in a data repository and/or curating or preserving research data.
• Experience or interest in one or more of the following:
  • Version control software (e.g., Git and GitHub)
  • Data transfer tools (e.g., Globus)
  • Sensitive and/or human subjects data
  • Metadata schema, authority control, controlled vocabularies, and relevant descriptive standards

Additional Information:

This position will report to the Data Learning Center Manager/Research Data Management Librarian and will be a part of the Data Learning Center team within the Research Informatics and Publishing Department (RePub). RePub is a collaborative and innovative unit within the University Libraries that enhances the technology-driven teaching and research capacity of the Penn State community. The Data Learning Center team supports faculty, staff, postdoctoral scholars, and students in producing transparent research, transforming data into information, and sharing reusable data.

The Penn State University Libraries is a strategic asset to Penn State University, advancing intellectual discovery, information literacy, and lifelong learning, all in support of the University’s strategic goals in teaching, research, service, and outreach. More information about working at the Penn State University Libraries including the organization at a glance, culture and community, mentoring and professional development, salary and benefits as well as the evaluation, promotion, and tenure process can be found at: https://libraries.psu.edu/about/jobs. Successful candidates will benefit from a strong mentoring program developed by the University Libraries to support new faculty in tenure-track appointments in fulfilling expectations in the areas of librarianship, research, and service.

The University Libraries values diversity of thought, perspective, experience and people, and is actively committed to a culture of inclusion and respect. We encourage candidates who thrive in a welcoming multicultural environment to apply. More information on Penn State’s commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusive Excellence can be found by visiting http://equity.psu.edu/diversity-statement. Information about the University Libraries’ Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility efforts can be found by visiting https://libraries.psu.edu/about/diversity.

Compensation:

Individual compensation packages are based on various factors unique to each candidate, including a candidate’s qualifications, education, experience, and rank. In addition to a competitive salary, full-time employees also receive a comprehensive benefits program, generous paid time off, and tuition discount for employees and eligible family members.

Expected starting salary: $65,000-$70,000/year, plus research and professional development funds. Penn State University’s Total Compensation Calculator provides an estimated summary of the value of compensation and benefits.

Webinar:

The joint search committee for the positions of Data Curation Librarian and Digital Preservation Librarian will hold a webinar about the two positions on Zoom on July 30 from 11 a.m. to noon. The webinar will cover information about Penn State, the Libraries, and the two positions. The webinar is open to all. Attendance at the webinar is not required, and the search committee will not keep a record of who attends. Participants will have the opportunity to participate anonymously and ask anonymous questions.

Application Instructions:

Applications and all supporting materials must be submitted via Workday. Interested candidates should upload a letter of application and a resume or CV. A candidate’s application materials are expected to provide clear evidence of their commitment to, and the impact of, the principles of equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility throughout their librarianship, teaching, research, and/or service.

Candidates also must provide three professional references, indicating their professional relationship to each reference. References will be contacted later in the search process. Review of applications will begin August 5th, 2024 and continue until the position is filled.

CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS:

Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and the Pennsylvania Act of 1988, Penn State publishes a combined Annual Security and Annual Fire Safety Report (ASR). The ASR includes crime statistics and institutional policies concerning campus security, such as those concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. The ASR is available for review here.

Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies.

EEO IS THE LAW

Penn State is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer, and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact 814-865-1473.