UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE LIBRARIES

FACULTY VACANCY

 

Digital Scholarship Librarian

 

Appointment Rank: Assistant Professor

Department: Scholars’ Collaborative

Reports To: Head, Scholars’ Collaborative

Salary: Minimum $53,500

Available: January 1, 2022 

 

The University of Tennessee Knoxville (UTK), a Research 1 institution and the flagship institution for the state, is seeking an enthusiastic and highly motivated individual to join the collaborative and innovative Scholars’ Collaborative team at the University Libraries. The City of Knoxville is a hidden gem with a beautiful and walkable downtown, varied nightlife, active neighborhoods, and eclectic shopping and restaurants. UT is located within easy driving distance to Asheville, Nashville, Atlanta, and the Great Smoky Mountains.

 

Digital scholarship at the University of Tennessee is in a state of growth with expanding interest in undergraduate humanities computing; increased interest in research computing and data sciences; a new Graduate Certificate for Digital Humanities; and an active digital humanities community.  The Digital Scholarship librarian will have the opportunity to collaborate in the development of new and evolving library services and spaces supporting digital scholarship. They will work directly with scholars integrating digital resources and methodologies into their research, teaching, learning, and engagement. As a member of the Scholars’ Collaborative, the Digital Scholarship Librarian increases the visibility and usability of digital scholarship practices and resources through research consultations; workshops and course-integrated instruction; online research guides; outreach; and participation with liaison librarian programs. 

 

Specific Duties:

The Digital Scholarship Librarian is expected to: 

• Adapt work practices to support digital scholarship and digital humanities, broadly defined (e.g. text mining, machine learning, data visualization)
• Work closely with the Humanities Center to offer robust programming and opportunities for faculty and students to engage in digital scholarship
• Collaborate with library colleagues to develop a suite of research services to the campus, and be a catalyst and facilitator for the Libraries’ digital scholarship activities. Examples may include:

• Explore and develop the use of library collections as data
• Support maximizing the use of licensed digital content by university scholars
• Contribute to development of relevant data and digital scholarship policies
• Consult with researchers at all levels on using digital tools and techniques to enrich their research and provide access to their scholarship
• Provide instruction and training on information visualization and emerging digital scholarship methods
• Coordinate information about digital scholarship and visualization tools and techniques to connect scholars across the disciplines and promote interdisciplinarity
• Actively explore relevant research methods and technologies to keep current with the rapidly evolving discipline
• Serve as PI, co-PI, or grant team member on externally funded projects as approved by library administration and in coordination with other relevant entities
• Participate in liaison responsibilities to include: teaching research and information literacy classes; participating in engagement activities; and providing research consultation
• Serve the library profession through involvement in professional organizations and through cooperative efforts with other information professionals
• Engage in research/scholarship/creative activity through publication, presentation, and other outlets

 

Required Qualifications:

• ALA-accredited Master’s degree in Library/Information Science or equivalent degree in related discipline 
• Evidence of commitment to diversity, inclusion, and accessibility in a higher education setting
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Demonstrated experience with one or more examples of digital research approaches and techniques, such as text encoding or analysis, web development, digital storytelling, multimodal publishing, digital exhibits, or database design
• Knowledge of metadata standards and the application of metadata to digital humanities scholarship
• Understanding of scholarly communication issues, especially as applied in digital scholarship practices and as they apply to the arts and humanities
• Demonstrated commitment to public service and excellence in teaching and technology training
• Ability to think creatively and work collaboratively in developing and promoting the use of library services and collections through a variety of outreach efforts
• Understanding of project life-cycles including sustainability, preservation, and procedures for sun-setting projects
• Demonstrated ability to work both collaboratively and independently to manage projects and initiatives
• Evidence of ability to engage in research, publication, and service consonant with the University’s and Libraries’ guidelines for promotion and tenure

 

Preferred Qualifications:

• Significant digital scholarship experience
• Experience with data management in a digital humanities context including the creation of metadata
• Knowledge of at least one scripting or programming language such as Python, PHP, Ruby, JavaScript
• Experience using one or more data analysis and visualization software/tools such as Tableau, Plotly, Leaflet, D3.js, Gephi, Power BI, or methods in machine learning

 

ENVIRONMENT

The University of Tennessee Libraries serves the flagship campus of Tennessee’s premier public research university. The University of Tennessee holds the Carnegie Foundation Research 1 designation, granted to doctoral universities with very high research activity.  As a land-grant university and as Volunteers, serving our state and nation are key to our mission. UT enrolls approximately 30,000 students at its Knoxville campus.  Demographically, 24% of all students identify as non-white, 24% identify as first-generation students and 29% are Pell-eligible. The University culture is guided by adherence to core values that define the Volunteer spirit and include: seeking knowledge; leading with innovation and integrity; advancing diversity and inclusion; engaging locally and globally; and embracing responsible stewardship of resources.

 

The UT Libraries supports the teaching, research, and service mission of the university and enhances the academic experience of each student at the Knoxville campus—through outstanding print and electronic collections, reference and instructional services, and top-notch facilities and technological resources. The John C. Hodges Library in the heart of campus houses the majority of the UT Libraries' collections and many unique services. Two branch libraries offer specialized collections and services: the Webster C. Pendergrass Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine Library and the George F. DeVine Music Library.

 

The UT Libraries is a national leader in digital collections; in support of open access though our digital repository, Trace; and through a rich history of designing innovative spaces and building key partnerships that enhance the teaching/learning enterprise. The UT Libraries is a member of the Association of Research Libraries, the Association of Southeastern Research Libraries, HathiTrust, the Library Publishing Coalition, LYRASIS, and the Center for Research Libraries. The UT Libraries collaborates actively at the state level with the other University of Tennessee System libraries as well as the libraries in the Tennessee Board of Regents system.

 

The UT Libraries champions diversity in collections and staffing. The University of Tennessee is committed to creating a welcoming environment. More information about how we put our principles of civility and community into action is available at https://www.lib.utk.edu/diversity/.

 

Additional information about this position and the UT community is available at https://www.lib.utk.edu/employment/position/digital-scholarship-librarian/

 

BENEFITS

Appointment at the rank of Assistant Professor with a salary of $53,500.  Faculty rank and status; twelve-month, tenure-track appointment.  Library faculty must meet University requirements for promotion and tenure.

 

Excellent benefits include 24 annual leave days; choice of state retirement plan (TCRS) or the Optional Retirement Program (ORP) (VOYA, TIAA, VALIC) with nonrefundable contributions paid for the employee by the University; optional group health and life insurance plans.  Tuition remission is available for all university employees and partial undergraduate tuition remission is available to dependent children and spouses of UT employees. Start-up funding in the amount of $10,000 allocated over a three-year period; annual support for travel & professional development.

 

UT’s Prospective Faculty Viewbook has information on academic support, personal support, and living in Knoxville.

 

APPLICATION PROCEDURES

A background check and official transcripts are required prior to hiring.  In order to be considered for candidacy, you must submit, via Interfolio at apply.interfolio.com/94853 cover letter addressing the above qualifications, a current resume or CV, and the names, addresses, e-mail addresses, and telephone numbers of three recent references.  Questions may be directed to Elizabeth Greene, Executive Director, Libraries Administration and Human Resources, [log in to unmask].  Review of applications will begin October 25, 2021, and will continue until the position is filled.  

 

All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment and admissions without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, pregnancy, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability, or covered veteran status. Eligibility and other terms and conditions of employment benefits at The University of Tennessee are governed by laws and regulations of the State of Tennessee, and this non-discrimination statement is intended to be consistent with those laws and regulations. In accordance with the requirements of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, The University of Tennessee affirmatively states that it does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, or disability in its education programs and activities, and this policy extends to employment by the University. Inquiries and charges of violation of Title VI (race, color, and national origin), Title IX (sex), Section 504 (disability), ADA (disability), Age Discrimination in Employment Act (age), sexual orientation, or veteran status should be directed to the Office of Equity and Diversity (OED), 1840 Melrose Avenue, Knoxville, TN  37996-3560, telephone (865) 974-2498.  Requests for accommodation of a disability should be directed to the ADA Coordinator at the Office of Equity and Diversity.