Job Posting: Research Data Specialist

Job Title: Research Data Specialist
Organization: Fictional University Libraries
Location: Woodlands Region, Our Great State
Description:

Fictional University Libraries (FUL) seeks an energetic and productive staff member to join the Metadata Services Department. Under the supervision of the Head of Metadata Services, the Research Data Specialist will play a key role in shaping the Library’s involvement in e-science, digital data curation, and supporting cyberscholarship for all disciplines. He or she will have the aptitude to stay abreast of scientific research trends, data documentation tools, and standards important for data exchange, reuse, and interoperability. Utilizing and applying various information technology tools for metadata manipulation and script execution is a key responsibility for this position. The Research Data Specialist will work at the intersection of digital data, technology, and metadata for the libraries. He or she will be responsible for consultation, assessment, and support services to facilitate all aspects of digital data curation. To be successful, close collaboration will be essential in working with library staff devoted to digital libraries, information technologies, public services, as well as the data working group and constituents of the University's life sciences initiative. The successful candidate will perform outreach and facilitate communication between the Libraries and research groups on campus.

Required Qualifications: MLS or equivalent. Ability to work well in a collaborative team-based environment. Strong communication (oral and writing), interpersonal, and presentation skills. Aptitude for and consistency in detailed work. Ability to analyze and to solve problems creatively and flexibly in a complex and rapidly changing environment. Strong service orientation and interest in information users' values and needs. Self-motivated and ability to multi-task.

Desired Qualifications: Knowledge of computational tools and techniques for data management and manipulation. Aptitude for learning digital collection management, electronic resource management, and metadata standards and formats. Familiarity with at least one metadata standard. Familiarity with commonly used repository platforms (e.g. Fedora, DSpace, ePrints). Ability to use various tools for metadata manipulation and scripting. Experience with relational database design, XML/XSLT, Java, Perl, Python, or PHP. Familiarity with Semantic Web specifications and experience in XML DTD and W3C schema creation. Ability to write and obtain grants and to manage grant-funded projects. Prior work experience in an academic or special library.

Background: Fictional University is a comprehensive research university located in the beautiful woodlands region of Our Great State. The town and university offer a unique cosmopolitan and international atmosphere in a beautiful natural setting. The university has approximately 15,000 students enrolled in undergraduate, graduate and professional schools. The Fictional University Library contains nearly 8 million printed volumes, 62,000 current serials, 378,000 networked electronic resources, and rich materials in other formats.

Application Information: Application Procedure: Applications requested by February 29, 2008. To apply for this position go to http://www.lib.fictu.edu/jobs, search under the job category of Librarians. Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled. Salary will be competitive and commensurate with experience. Fictional University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer strongly committed to diversity. We value qualified candidates who can bring to our community a variety of backgrounds and experiences.