Boston College Libraries are seeking a Data Services Librarian to join our Digital Scholarship Group (DSG). As a member of the DSG, the Data Services Librarian collaborates on designing and driving initiatives, providing current services, and is a valued voice in DSG strategic planning. This position is highly collaborative within the DSG, throughout the Libraries, particularly in the cohort (which consists of the DSG, instruction team, and subject liaisons), and across campus. (Apply on the BC career site.)
The Data Services Librarian is primarily responsible for DSG collaborations and services related to data gathering, manipulation, management, curation, documentation, and skills training. Such activities include consulting on faculty and student data-driven projects; providing data skills instruction and training on data manipulation and management methods, best practices, and tools in person and through curriculum resource development, e.g., module and online resource creation. These responsibilities are heavily front-facing and involve a significant amount of one-on-one and classroom engagement with undergraduate and graduate students.
A large component of this position will involve working closely with a fellow Data Services Librarian and the DSG head on endeavors to grow existing data services and find new ways for the BC community to critically engage with data. It is important that the person in this role is comfortable working across disciplines with a range of data types, including economic and business-related data, which is in high demand from our Economics and Carroll School of Management students. It is also important that the person in this position is comfortable with relationship building and public communication, as everyone in the department contributes to outreach.
Requirements
- A master’s degree in Library and Information Science or a closely related, data-intensive research field, plus 2-3 years of relevant experience;
- Demonstrated experience in
- Providing data skills training and classroom instruction (oral, written, and video tutorials, etc.);
- Providing research support for students and faculty through data consultations and curation, management, cleaning, and mining services;
- The ability to engage with research across a variety of disciplines, including economics and business, and a range of audiences, from undergraduate and graduate students to faculty and staff;
- Excellent written and oral communication skills
Preferred
- Experience working in academic libraries;
- Experience working with big data, survey microdata, text data, or similarly complex data;
- Experience working with library data resources, data subscription platforms (like WRDS), and publicly available data (like FRED);
- Knowledge of geospatial data and GIS technologies;
- Demonstrated experience in
- Data visualization and communication;
- Data cleaning, creation, and analysis using coding languages such as Python or R;
- Geospatial data and GIS technologies;
Expectations
The person hired will be able to hit the ground running when it comes to supporting students on their data-driven coursework and projects, as this is the first priority.
By the end of the first year, the person in this position is expected to:
- Understand library culture and have begun building collaborative relationships with DSG members, liaison librarians, and others outside of the library.
- Make major contributions to existing data services (i.e., hold consultations with undergrads, graduate students, and/or faculty, and teach instructional sessions)
- Identified ways to grow and improve data services, including ones informed by the person’s particular expertise and interests.
FAQ
- Do I need a Master’s degree in Library Science or Information Science?
- No, you can have a graduate degree in a closely related, data-intensive research field instead.
- Does BC offer sponsorship for international applicants?
- No, sorry, we really wish we could, but we are not able to do this at this time.
- Should I apply for this position if I don’t have all of the listed preferred qualifications?
- If you feel like you have what it takes, yes! Just know that we put a big emphasis on teaching and the ability to work one-on-one with students, as these are key components of the job. For this reason, we will be looking for that kind of experience on your CV.
- When can I expect to hear from you after submitting my application?
- We try to move as quickly as we can and typically start setting up first-round interviews about three to four weeks after the job is posted.
- When does the position start?
- There is flexibility, especially when someone is making a long-distance move or has personal or professional obligations that require more time to see through.
- What is BC’s work-at-home policy?
- We get one day a week to work from home after 6 months of employment.
- Is there financial support for professional development and conferences?
- Yes.
- What is the department’s culture like?
- We are highly collaborative, kind, and like to joke a lot while also being very focused on our work. Competitiveness is not our thing.
- What is BC culture like?
- BC is a tight-knit community where forming relationships is how a lot of things get done. The mission is strongly felt and informs much of our work, including how we design our services and the dedication we show to our students. As a Catholic Jesuit university, it is welcoming to all. (Jesuits are known for their openness to different religious beliefs and worldviews.)