Undergraduate Research Support Librarian

Position Description

The Undergraduate Research Support Librarian will create, implement, and evaluate programs and services to support undergraduate researchers at the University of Chicago. The Undergraduate Research Support Librarian works collaboratively with librarian colleagues, College faculty and instructors, and staff in the College Center for Research and Fellowships in supporting courses and programs for undergraduate researchers. Following the direction of the Head of Research and Instruction, the Librarian will design and teach programs to help undergraduates develop research skills across various disciplines, such as conducting literature reviews, identifying, and evaluating primary sources (archives, manuscripts, digital collections, media, etc.), and effective research methodologies in different disciplines. The Librarian will work to promote the dissemination of UChicago undergraduates’ research by supporting student journals, presentations, and symposia. The Undergraduate Research Support Librarian will also develop services to support undergraduate applicants for various research national and international fellowships and awards.

Qualifications

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

Serves as liaison to campus partners who support undergraduate research opportunities, including the College Center for Research and Fellowships, Writing Program, Parrhesia Program for Public Discourse, Institute for the Formation of Knowledge, Chicago Studies, Study Abroad, Center for the Study of Race, Politics and Culture, and the Marine Biological Laboratory.
In partnership with college staff and faculty, supports the integration of information literacy programs and research education into the undergraduate curriculum.
Partners with archivists and librarians in the Hanna Holborn Gray Special Collections Research Center in designing and implementing Library research instruction programs using rare book, archives, and manuscript collections for college courses.
Partners with area studies and subject librarians in designing and implementing Library research instruction for undergraduate thesis writers.
Collaborates with staff in the Library’s Center for Digital Scholarship in promoting the use of digital scholarship methods for undergraduate research.
Coordinates the Library’s programming for applicants for national fellowships, including Fulbright, Gilman, Marshall, Truman, NSF, etc.
Supports summer research opportunities for undergraduates including the College Summer Institute in the Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, the Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship Summer Research Training Program, and recipients of The College’s Summer International Travel Grants.
Connects undergraduates with primary source research collections around the Chicago area, including libraries, archives, and museums.
Offers workshops on disseminating student research, including designing poster sessions, student authorship and publishing, digital scholarship, and more.
Develops help guides focusing on research methodologies and digital primary source collections.
Provides individual support and instruction for undergraduate researchers via research appointments and group consultations with subject and area studies librarians.
Participates in virtual and in-person research services as part of the Research and Information Services Team (RIST).
Serves on Library committees supporting reference, instruction and outreach services, along with campus groups supporting undergraduate research.
Monitors emerging trends in undergraduate research and writing and participates in local and national groups focusing on undergraduate research.
Assumes other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

ALA-accredited Master’s degree or an equivalent combination of relevant experience and advanced degree.
At least 1 year of demonstrated experience providing individual and programmatic research support to undergraduate students.
Demonstrated knowledge of best practices and trends in supporting undergraduate research.
Demonstrated experience designing and delivering course-integrated research instruction programs.

PREFERRED REQUIREMENTS:

3-5 years of experience providing individual and programmatic research support.
Experience partnering with undergraduate research offices.
Experience partnering with undergraduate writing centers or programs.
Experience providing virtual and/or in-person reference services in an academic library.
Familiarity with experiential learning programs at colleges or universities.
Familiarity with rare book and archival research methods.
Familiarity with software to support undergraduate research, such as e-portfolios, Open Journal Systems, etc.
Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Ability to work collaboratively and independently in a constantly changing environment.

Application Instructions

The Search Committee will evaluate candidates' record and accomplishments in order to determine their ability to interact respectfully and effectively orally and in writing with diverse constituencies including faculty, students, colleagues, and community members; ability to work with library users individually and in groups; ability to perform complex problem solving and decision making; and the ability to plan, prioritize, coordinate and implement projects and a record of demonstrated commitment to professional development.

To Apply: Submit cover letter, curriculum vitae, and reference contact information online through the University of Chicago's Academic Recruiting website apply.interfolio.com/131003. Review of applications will begin after September 29, 2023. Screening of applications will continue until the position is filled or the search is closed.

Salary and Benefits: Appointment salary based on qualifications and experience. Benefits include retirement plan, insurance, and paid time off.

Questions: Contact Library Human Resources at libraryhr@uchicago.edu

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

All University departments and institutes are charged with building a faculty from a diversity of backgrounds and with diverse viewpoints; with cultivating an inclusive community that values freedom of expression; and with welcoming and supporting all their members.

We seek a diverse pool of applicants who wish to join an academic community that places the highest value on rigorous inquiry and encourages diverse perspectives, experiences, groups of individuals, and ideas to inform and stimulate intellectual challenge, engagement, and exchange. The University’s Statements on Diversity are at https://provost.uchicago.edu/statements-diversity.

The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity/Disabled/Veterans Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-834-3988 or email equalopportunity@uchicago.edu with their request.