University of Kentucky - Research Data Librarian


Recently embarking on a historic $2.1 billion comprehensive campaign, the 
University of Kentucky set an ambitious path to be a destination for students, 
scholars, and healthcare providers to forge new discoveries and arrive at 
world-class outcomes. University of Kentucky Libraries is vital to fulfilling 
the goals of enhancing and expanding the university’s research enterprise, and 
we are looking for a faculty librarian to lead research data efforts. Reporting 
to the Coordinator of Digital Scholarship and Data, the Research Data Librarian 
will develop an understanding of the existing and emerging research data needs 
of faculty and students and, through strategic collaborations, develop 
sustainable and responsive services to support use and management of research 
data. The position will help students, faculty, and other researchers develop 
critical research data skills through expert consultation, workshops, and 
classroom instruction. In close collaboration with library colleagues, the 
Research Data Librarian will participate in data literacy and education 
initiatives, and contribute to projects that seek to understand and demonstrate 
the impact of the university’s research enterprise. There is potential growth 
for the position in the areas of data analysis, data visualization, and other 
areas of digital scholarship.



Duties and Responsibilities:

● Provide instruction, support, and expertise on existing and emerging tools 
and workflows for data management, sharing, and analysis, with an emphasis on 
open and reproducible practices

● Develop strong, collaborative relationships with researchers and support 
units to foster a deep understanding of data needs of university researchers 
through consultations, projects, and outreach

● Collaborate with liaison librarians and other UK Libraries colleagues to 
develop robust, sustainable, targeted, and timely research data support tools 
and programs

● Build and promote research data sets across all disciplines and programs

● Assess the usefulness of existing and emerging data tools and methods



As a member of the UKL faculty, the Research Data Librarian participates in 
planning, shared governance, and UK Libraries-wide faculty activities. This is 
a full-time, 12-month, tenure eligible position in the Librarian Title Series 
(open rank) which requires scholarship, professional development, and service 
that contributes to the effectiveness of UK Libraries, the university, and the 
profession as outlined in Administrative Regulation 2:7 
(https://www.uky.edu/regs/ar2-7). Your Distribution of Effort (DOE) range: 
Primary assignment: 70-80%, Service/Prof. development and scholarship 20-30% 
and is reviewed at minimum annually each year. Salary commensurate with 
experience and qualifications. The minimum salary for a Librarian IV is $57,000 
and for a Librarian III is $62,500.



Required Qualifications:

● ALA-accredited graduate degree in Library and Information Science or advanced 
degree in a comparable field from an accredited institution

● Knowledge of foundational research data management principles and best 
practices, with a particular focus on the research data lifecycle

● Demonstrated ability to learn and apply new skills and tools; evidence of 
ongoing, self-directed learning

● Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, both oral and written

● Commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion

● Ability to meet the requirements of a tenure-track position through research, 
publication, presentation, and professional service



Preferred Qualifications:

● Work-related experience in an academic or research library

● Instructional experience with a range of constituents

● Demonstrated initiative, flexibility, and creativity to manage projects both 
independently and as part of a team in a dynamic work environment



Position is a full-time, 12-month, tenure-track eligible position. All career 
levels are encouraged to apply. The University of Kentucky is committed to a 
diverse and inclusive workforce by ensuring all our students, faculty, and 
staff work in an environment of openness and acceptance. We strive to foster a 
community where people of all backgrounds, identities, and perspectives can 
feel secure and welcome. We also value the well-being of each of our employees 
and are dedicated to creating a healthy place to work, learn and live. In the 
interest of maintaining a safe and healthy environment for our students, 
employees, patients and visitors the University of Kentucky is a Tobacco & Drug 
Free campus. Recently recognized as one of the best employers in higher 
education by The Chronicle of Higher Education and ranked among America’s Best 
Employers and Best Employers for Diversity by Forbes Magazine, the University 
of Kentucky strives to create an environment where all staff and faculty are 
embraced and supported. Employees are offered a wide array of excellent benefit 
options and more information is available at: 
www.uky.edu/HR/benefits<http://www.uky.edu/HR/benefits>. Library tenure-track 
faculty are also eligible to receive a generous relocation allowance, start-up 
funding for research, and annual professional development/travel funds.



The University of Kentucky is a public, land grant university of approximately 
32,000 students, 3,500 faculty, and 15,000 staff dedicated to improving 
people’s lives through excellence in education, research and creative work, 
service, and health care. With over 200 academic programs across sixteen 
colleges and professional schools, the University plays a critical leadership 
role by promotion diversity, inclusion, economic development, and human 
well-being. Located in the beautiful bluegrass region of central Kentucky, the 
University of Kentucky Libraries includes the main William T. Young Library, 
Medical Center Library, Special Collections Research Center, Fine Arts Library, 
Design Library, Education Library, Lexmark Library, and Science & Engineering 
Library. Combined library holdings total more than four million volumes. The 
system has a faculty of 50 and a support and professional staff of 86. UK 
Libraries currently uses the Ex Libris Alma and Primo systems. UK Libraries 
memberships include the Association of Research Libraries, LYRASIS, ASERL, and 
the Center for Research Libraries. UK is a regional depository for government 
publications.



To apply, interested applicants must complete a UK Online Academic Profile at 
https://ukjobs.uky.edu/postings/421360 and attach two documents:



* Curriculum vitae

* Cover letter



Please include contact information for three references when prompted in the 
application. We ask that one of the references be your current supervisor.

If you have any questions, contact H/R employment, phone (859) 257-9555, press 
2.



Applications will be reviewed beginning October 3rd and continue until the 
position is filled which we look for the position to start on or after January 
2023.


Given the COVID-19 pandemic, and the need to protect our university community 
including our students, staff, faculty and visitors, the University of Kentucky 
is requiring COVID-19 vaccination for all new hires prior to starting 
employment. Therefore, as of October 18, 2021, all new hires prior to their 
first day of employment must submit appropriate documentation showing, i) 
completion of the first vaccination against COVID-19, or ii) completion of the 
full vaccination series against COVID-19, or iii) approved exemption (medical 
contraindications or a sincerely held religious belief) through the formal 
exemption process from the COVID-19 vaccination requirement. For those 
employees who have completed the first vaccination against COVID-19 prior to 
their first day of employment, the second vaccination (if applicable) must be 
completed following the vaccination recommended schedule to be considered fully 
vaccinated.

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Jennifer Hootman
Coordinator of Digital Scholarship
University of Kentucky
William T. Young Library, 1-15
500 S. Limestone Street
Lexington, KY 40506-0456
(859) 218-2284 | jlhoot...@uky.edu<mailto:jlhoot...@uky.edu>
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