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Research Librarian for Physical Sciences

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Position description

The University of California, Irvine Libraries seeks an energetic, creative, knowledgeable, and user-oriented Research Librarian for Physical Sciences to liaison to the Department of Mathematics, the Department of Statistics, and the Department of Physics & Astronomy. The incumbent will also liaise with Campuswide Honors Program and play a key role in providing reference and instructional support to undergraduates.

Qualified candidates from diverse backgrounds and life experiences are encouraged to apply. The UCI Libraries is committed to recruiting a diverse workforce and advancing UCI’s Commitment to Inclusive Excellence.

Scope of the Position

The Research Librarian for Physical Sciences will be responsible for liaising with the Department of Mathematics, the Department of Statistics, and the Department of Physics & Astronomy. Liaisons provide knowledgeable reference assistance to faculty and students, support the university’s educational mission by providing subject-specific instruction, and manage the Libraries’ collections. In addition, the incumbent will play a key role in providing research assistance and instruction to undergraduates fulfilling lower-division writing requirements and will act as the Libraries’ liaison to the Campuswide Honors Collegium (formerly known as Campuswide Honors Program).

The successful candidate will be based in the Reference Department, and will report to the Head of Reference.

Key responsibilities include:

• Serve as the library liaison for the Department of Mathematics, the Department of Statistics, and the Department of Physics & Astronomy, which includes collection development and management, and the provision of specialized reference and instruction in the assigned subject areas.
• Participate in the provision of general reference services.

• Participate in the Libraries’ instruction programs for lower-division writing courses and other information and data literacy initiatives.
• May partner with other science librarians in providing instruction to large classes.
• Stay informed of the need for data services in the Department of Mathematics, Department of Physics & Astronomy, and Department of Statistics.

• Monitor current developments in the fields of mathematics, statistics, physics, and astronomy research and keep the Libraries apprised of these developments in areas where the research has implications for information literacy, collection strategies, or other library-related initiatives.

Qualifications

Required:
• Graduate degree in library science from an ALA-accredited institution or an equivalent combination of relevant advanced degree and library experience.
• Experience performing reference, instruction and/or collection development.
• Strong interest in science librarianship.
• Strong interest in information literacy, data literacy, open access, and scholarly communication in the sciences.
• Familiarity with the ACRL Framework for Information Literacy for Higher Education.
• Commitment to user-centered library services.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to work creatively, collaboratively, and effectively and to promote teamwork, diversity, equality, and inclusiveness within the UCI Libraries and the campus.
• Ability to meet the University of California criteria for advancement and promotion.

Preferred:
• Educational background in mathematics, statistics, or physical sciences.
• Experience performing reference, instruction and/or collection development in the sciences.
• Familiarity with collection development issues and trends in mathematics, statistics, physics, and astronomy.
• Familiarity with mapping, GIS and/or data visualization.
• Strong understanding of the key issues and trends in the design and delivery of library services in support of the academic mission of the university.
• Experience managing or leading projects.
• Interest in data services.

The Reference Department

The Research Librarian for Physical Sciences will be based in the Science Library and will be a member of the Reference Department, which consists of six librarians, including the Department Head, and five career staff located in both the Langson Library and the Science Library. Our vision: the Reference Department ensures that all users, regardless of the nature or method of their query, are able to utilize any resource to meet their information needs. To realize this vision, the Department organizes training, conducts assessment, and creates tools for providing one-on-one research assistance across all modes of patron interaction.

The UCI Libraries

At the heart of University of California, Irvine’s academic community, the UCI Libraries plays a vital role in enabling our outstanding students, faculty and researchers to create new knowledge, develop lifelong learning skills, and make meaningful contributions to society. We value innovation and collaboration, and we are committed to fostering an environment that promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion.

The Libraries physical spaces consist of the Langson Library, the Science Library, the Library Gateway Study Center, and the Grunigen Medical Library. These locations provide a welcoming and technology enhanced environment valued by students as places for study, research, and collaboration. Together they contain over 3,300 public seats, over 500 public access computers, laptop computers for checkout, and a wide range of multimedia resources including 3D printers. The library collection consists of over 3.9 million volumes, 180,000 journals and serial titles, and an ever expanding collection of electronic books, databases, and other resources. Our public website is a portal to access e-resources; discover print, archival, and multi-media collections; and connect with reference and instructional services. It also includes cutting edge digital tools and tutorials and numerous subject specific research guides created by subject specialists.

The UCI Libraries employs approximately 171 full-time librarians and staff and over 174 part-time student assistants. We support the professional and career development of librarians and staff.

The UCI Libraries are a member of the: Association of Research Libraries (ARL), California Digital Library (CDL), HathiTrust Digital Library, Center for Research Libraries (CRL), Coalition of Networked Information (CNI), Digital Library Federation (DLF), Council on Library and Information Resources (CLIR), Scholarly Publishing & Academic Resources Coalition (SPARC), Pacific Rim Research Libraries Alliance (PRRLA), International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA), National Information Standards Organization (NISO), and OCLC Research Library Partnership (OCLC RLP).

University of California, Irvine

The University of California, Irvine, is nestled in over 1,500 acres of coastal foothills, five miles from the Pacific Ocean, between San Diego and Los Angeles. Founded in 1965, UCI has a total of 36,742 undergraduate and graduate students and over 1,600 faculty and staff. Nearly 67% of UCI students identify themselves as Asian American, African American, Chicano/Latino, or Native American. Over 50% of UCI’s Bachelor Degrees are awarded to first generation college students. The New York Times ranks UCI as the #1 college doing the most for the American Dream. The University offers graduate degrees in more than 100 academic disciplines and interdisciplinary programs in addition to the M.D. and J.D. Many of UCI’s academic programs are ranked nationally among the top universities and several doctoral programs are ranked in the top ten.

Librarians at UCI are academic appointees and receive potential career status at the time of their initial appointment. Librarians periodically receive administrative and peer review for merit increases based on the following criteria: 1) professional competence and quality of service within the Library; 2) professional activity outside the Library; 3) university and public service; and 4) research and other creative activity.

Salary & Benefits: Salary commensurate with qualifications and experience based on the University of California pay scales. Appointment is anticipated to be at the Assistant Librarian or Associate Librarian rank with a salary of $53,411 - $79,655.

Librarians are entitled to two days per month of annual leave, thirteen paid holidays, and one day per month sick leave. The University has an excellent retirement system and offers a variety of group health, life, and disability insurance plans. Benefits are equal to approximately 45% of salary.
Consideration will be given to applicants with a wide range of years of experience, including qualified early career librarians.

At UCI, non-managerial librarians are represented by an exclusive bargaining agent, University Council – American Federation of Teachers (UC-AFT). This is a represented position.

To Apply: Qualified applicants who wish to be considered for this position should submit the information requested: cover letter; complete résumé; a statement that addresses past and/or potential contributions to diversity, equity, and inclusion; and a list of three references (names and contact information only) via UCI AP Recruit at: https://recruit.ap.uci.edu/JPF05389.

Upon application, candidates should be in possession of proof of their legal right to employment in the U.S. In compliance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, verification of legal right to work will be required between the time of final selection and hiring, and is absolutely essential in ultimately being hired.

This position description is listed on the UCI Libraries web site at http://www.lib.uci.edu/about/jobs/librarian-vacancies.html with links to additional web sites featuring campus and community information.

The University of California, Irvine is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer advancing inclusive excellence. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected categories covered by the UC nondiscrimination policy.

Application Requirements

Document requirements
  • Cover Letter - Please address your qualifications for this position in a cover letter.

  • Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated CV – resume style preferred.

  • Statement of Contributions to Diversity - Please submit a description (no more than 2 pages) of how your past and/or potential contributions to diversity will advance UCI's Commitment to Inclusive Excellence. Please see the UCI Libraries' Diversity Statement and Diversity Plan.

  • List of reference contacts - Names of 3 potential references including contact information and brief statement of relationship to the applicant. Do not include letters of recommendation here.

Job location

Irvine, CA