Life Sciences Librarian

The Life Sciences Librarian

The Life Sciences Librarian ensures that the Syracuse University Libraries collections and services support the academic and research needs of the students, faculty, and staff in the life sciences disciplines. The Librarian provides essential services including reference assistance, information literacy instruction, and collection development, and serves as the Libraries point of contact for individuals in these disciplines. As a member of the research impact team within the Department of Research and Scholarship, the Librarian develops services that support the Universitys goal of advancing research initiatives and achieving greater research visibility for the University.

Library | Libraries

Education and Experience

Required qualifications:

• MLS, ALA-accredited or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• At least one year of experience working in an academic library.
• Reference and instruction experience, preferably in an academic library environment.
• Demonstrated interest in life sciences or other STEM-related disciplines.
• Demonstrated commitment to support and contribute to a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment.

Desired qualifications:

• Undergraduate degree in Biology, Psychology, Communication Sciences and Disorders, Forensic Science, or related disciplines.
• At least one year of serving patrons in STEM disciplines.
• Working knowledge of research impact, evidence synthesis, and other research-related services.

Librarian Rank and Compensation

This position will be appointed at the Assistant Librarian, Senior Assistant Librarian, or Associate Librarian without Permanent ranking Status, ranks based on the successful candidates qualifications. See the detailed rank criteria requirements here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1dRpkeU9_wurWre4618fmEMmXPpKuCz7QDCWDoetlzXw/edit?usp=sharing.

Final salary will be commensurate with experience and assigned rank.

Assistant Librarian

• Candidates may be appointed to this rank if they have little or no professional experience.
• It has a maximum of three terms before they are expected to apply for promotion to the next rank, Sr. Assistant Librarian.
• Requirements for this rank include: • MLS or equivalent degree as appropriate to the position. • Additional academic preparation and/or related professional library experience if required by the position.

Senior Assistant Librarian

• Candidates may be appointed to this rank if they have successful professional experience.
• It has a maximum of three terms before they are expected to apply for promotion to the next rank, Associate Librarian.
• Requirements for this rank include: • MLS or equivalent degree. • Successful professional library experience. • Demonstrated competence in position responsibilities. • Ability to work effectively with diverse stakeholders. • Evidence of professional growth and initiative.

Associate Librarian without Permanent Ranking Status

• Candidates may be appointed to this rank if they have substantial professional achievement and commitment.
• Librarians hired at the Associate rank will be required to apply for permanent ranking status, which signifies sustained achievement and contributions to Syracuse University Libraries.
• Requirements for this rank include: • MLS or equivalent degree. • Show excellent/ outstanding performance in previous library roles. • Demonstrate significant contributions to library operations. • Provide evidence of professional commitment, such as committee work, conference attendance, publications, or professional development activities.

Skills and Knowledge

The best combination of skills and knowledge includes:

• Significant understanding of trends in digital resources for STEM research and teaching.
• Demonstrated interpersonal skills with the ability to establish positive and productive collaborations with faculty, researchers, students, staff, and librarians.
• Interest in participating in regional, national, and international collaborations related to science librarianship, research impact, and/or evidence synthesis.
• Demonstrated ability to initiate, plan, and complete projects.
• Understanding of university research impact tools and practices.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to establish positive and productive collaborations with faculty, researchers, students, and librarians.
• Interest in participating in regional, national, and international collaborations related to allied health, social science research impact, and evidence synthesis.

Responsibilities

Liaison, Reference, Instruction, and Collection Development

• Serve as liaison librarian to the Departments of Biology, Psychology, Communication Sciences and Disorders, Forensic Science, and other life science-related academic programs and research centers.
• Provide in-depth subject reference and consultation services in assigned disciplines through in-person consultation, phone, and digital modes of communication.
• Develop and provide specialized online and in-person information literacy instruction for undergraduate and graduate students, faculty, and staff in assigned disciplines in conjunction with the Libraries Information Literacy Program.
• Create and maintain subject-related information and instructional materials.
• Select materials in coordination with Collection Development and Analysis Librarians and perform other relevant discipline-specific collections activities as needed.
• Promote open-access and effective publishing models to further the mission of the University.

Research Services

• Develop the Libraries services that enhance University research reputation, funding initiatives, and research infrastructure in collaboration with the Research Impact Team.
• Drive the collaborative development of services and resources in support of University activities related to systematic reviews and/or evidence synthesis studies.
• Participate in evidence synthesis studies as appropriate.
• Consult on workflows throughout the research and publishing process.
• Collaborate with individual scholars, departments, schools, colleges, and institutes to understand and communicate the impact of their research and creative scholarship.
• Advocate for practices that promote responsible assessment of research and creative works.

Liaison Outreach

• Develop professional relationships with faculty, researchers, staff, and administration in appropriate schools, colleges, and departments to assess and respond to research and teaching needs.
• Participate in the marketing, development, implementation, assessment, and provision of outreach programs for Libraries services.
• Interpret and communicate findings obtained from outreach with constituents using well-defined library communication channels.

Professional Development and Service

• Participate in interdisciplinary Libraries teams as assigned and work collaboratively and creatively to implement and enhance programmatic services that benefit the University.
• Engage in activities that contribute to the advancement of the Libraries, the University, and the library profession.
• Maintain awareness of professional developments, issues, and practices through research and activities that increase ones knowledge and abilities and that positively impact ones performance and service contributions.
• Maintain knowledge of life science information, specific skills, tools, and best practices.
• Maintain knowledge of evidence synthesis best practices to support and perform evidence synthesis research.
• Maintain knowledge of current and evolving research analytics tools to consult with and provide guidance to colleagues and the University community.

Other duties as assigned.

Physical Requirements Not Applicable

Tools and Equipment Not Applicable

Application Instructions

In addition to completing an online application, please attach a resume and cover letter.