UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE LIBRARIES 

FACULTY VACANCY 

 

STEM Librarian for Engineering 

 

Appointment Rank: Assistant Professor 

Department: Liaison Programs 

Reports To: Assistant Head, Liaison Programs 

Salary: Minimum $53,500 

Available: March 1, 2023 

 

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. 

 

The STEM Librarian for Engineering connects students, faculty, and staff in the Tickle College of Engineering to Libraries resources by proactively building partnerships and delivering responsive expertise. As a liaison, this position will work in a supportive environment with other science and technology librarians as well as colleagues across the Libraries to deliver support for research, teaching, data sciences, and navigating the scholarly communication landscape. This liaison will actively participate in team-based and library-wide liaison activities to develop a shared vision for library resources and services which align with the University’s Strategic Vision.   

  

The STEM Librarian for Engineering is empowered to work creatively to support the mission of the University to empower learners, advance the well-being of communities, and commit to excellence, equity, and inclusion. This position serves as the primary liaison for the Tickle College of Engineering which consists of seven academic departments and nationally renowned research centers as well as the Bredesen Center for Interdisciplinary Research and Graduate Education which unites resources and capabilities from the University of Tennessee and Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Through assessment, the successful applicant will be able to identify needs and provide responsive consultation, engagement, and instruction to the college with an emphasis on opportunities that reflect inclusive experiences.  

  

Specific Duties: 

Engagement 

• Serves as primary liaison to and proactively develops relationships with faculty, staff, and students to understand and support their diverse teaching, and/or research needs throughout the research cycle 
• Works with other librarians to identify and support interdisciplinary research needs and build related partnerships  
• Creates effective ongoing communication mechanisms for engaging with assigned departments
  
   
  
  Research and Scholarly Communication  

1. Delivers customized and expert research consultations for faculty, students, and the greater university community 

• Supports faculty and student research success by helping researchers find and use data to support their research and demonstrate impact 
• Develops specialized expertise and collaborates with other librarians to support emerging scholarly communications trends to promote and support new forms of scholarship 
  
    
  
  Instruction  

• Develops, delivers and assesses inclusive instruction to support information literacy needs  
• Creates and maintains guides, tutorials, and other resources to assist researchers in self-paced learning 
  
    
  
  Collections  

• Proactively seeks input from faculty and students in the to understand how their research and teaching needs may be supported by our collections 
• Works collaboratively with Libraries collections-focused units to build and maintain relevant collections  
  
    
  
  Scholarship & Service  

• Engages in research/scholarship/creative activity through publication, presentation, and other outlets 
• Serves the institution and the profession through involvement in professional organizations and cooperative efforts with other professionals and institutions  
  
    
  
  Qualifications: 
  
  The successful candidate must exhibit the ability to work cooperatively and effectively with others to achieve common goals and demonstrate enthusiasm to meet dynamically changing needs within a culture of continuous learning.  
  
    
  
  Required -  

• Master’s Degree from an ALA-accredited program by time of appointment  
• Evidence of commitment to diversity and inclusion  
• Commitment to fostering a diverse and inclusive learning and working environment  
• Demonstrated effective interpersonal skills to establish and maintain close, productive working relationships with colleagues, faculty, staff, and students 
• Proven commitment to customer service and user experience  
• Demonstrated initiative, flexibility, and ability to work creatively and effectively both independently and as a team member  
• Ability to engage in research, publication, and service consonant with the University’s and Libraries’ guidelines for promotion and tenure 
  
    
  
  Preferred -  

• Experience working in academic library and/or with engineering or a related field  
• Knowledge of data information sources and data analysis  
• Demonstrated knowledge of scholarly communication trends and issues  
• Experience and/or coursework on instructional methods 
• Familiarity with LibGuides software or online instructional tools 
• Familiarity with information sources in engineering, science or related fields  
  
   
  
  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 33,805 students at its Knoxville campus. For more information about the people who comprise the UTK community, view resources on our Data Central website. 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 Knoxville campus of the University of Tennessee is seeking candidates who have the ability to contribute in meaningful ways to the diversity and intercultural goals of the University. 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/stem-librarian-for-engineering/  
  
   
  
  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) 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 http://apply.interfolio.com/118746 a 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 Susan Pritchard, Libraries HR & Administration Manager, [log in to unmask] Review of applications will begin Monday, February 6, 2023, 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.