Assistant Professor, Master of Library and Information Studies Program

University of Arkansas System • Fayetteville, AR

5d • $75,000 - $85,000 • Onsite

About The Position

The University of Arkansas Libraries invites applications for a full-time, twelve-month, tenure-track faculty position at the rank of Assistant Professor in its new Master of Library and Information Studies (MLIS) Program. Reporting to the Director of the MLIS Program, the successful candidate will hold primary teaching responsibility within the program and will play a foundational role in shaping this inaugural, practitioner-oriented graduate program, the only one of its kind in Arkansas. Prior professional or teaching experience is preferred, and newer doctoral recipients are welcome to apply.

The MLIS program is new to the University of Arkansas and is the only master's-level library and information science program in the state. Housed within the University Libraries and based at Mullins Library on the Fayetteville campus, the program offers an in-person, practitioner-oriented curriculum developed in consultation with ALA-accredited peer institutions and is pursuing accreditation from the American Library Association. The program will welcome its first cohort in Fall 2027 and is projected to grow to a steady-state enrollment of approximately 36 students. Because the program is housed within a large, comprehensive academic library, students learn alongside working practitioners and gain access to hands-on, experiential learning opportunities not typically available in stand-alone or fully online programs.

The University of Arkansas Libraries is the recognized flagship of the University of Arkansas System and includes Mullins Library, the University's main library, which recently completed a two-phase renovation creating modern instructional, collaborative, and research spaces. The Libraries employ 34 full-time faculty librarians whose scholarship spans user behavior, public services, archival practice, digital technology, artificial intelligence, and data analysis, and who will play a central role in teaching and mentoring within the new program.

This is an in-person position. Most university classes are offered face-to-face, and extensive in-person engagement in such activities as office hours, student advising, and departmental, college, and university committee meetings is essential to advancing student success and departmental effectiveness.

Regular, reliable, and non-disruptive attendance is an essential job duty, as is the ability to create and maintain collegial, harmonious working relationships with others.

Requirements

• Earned doctoral degree (Ph.D., Ed.D., or equivalent) in Library and Information Science or a closely related field, conferred no later than June 1, 2027. Exceptional candidates nearing completion of the doctorate (ABD), with a confirmed defense or conferral date, may be considered
• A Master of Library Science (MLS) or Master of Library and Information Studies (MLIS) from an ALA-accredited program, conferred by the start of employment
• Evidence of potential for effective graduate-level teaching

Nice To Haves

• Professional experience in librarianship, particularly in an academic library setting
• Demonstrated teaching experience in higher education, preferably at the master's level
• A record of scholarly or professional achievement, or clear evidence of research potential
• Experience recruiting, advising, and mentoring graduate students
• Experience with curriculum development or new academic program development
• Interdisciplinary teaching or research interests bridging library and information science with emerging areas such as artificial intelligence, information technology, or human-centered design
• Successful experience with, or clear interest in pursuing, grants or external research funding

Responsibilities

• Teach graduate courses within the MLIS curriculum on a 2-2-1 load: two courses in the fall semester, two in the spring semester, and one course during the summer or a flex term.
• Advise and mentor MLIS graduate students, including guidance on capstone and thesis projects.
• Participate in student recruiting, admissions, and orientation activities.
• Contribute to curriculum development, course design, and ongoing program assessment, including support for the program's American Library Association accreditation efforts.
• Maintain an active program of research and professional scholarship to fulfill promotion and tenure requirements.
• Serve on department, college, and university committees and engage in service to the library and information science profession.
• Workload is generally distributed as approximately 60 percent teaching, 30 percent research, and 10 percent service.

Benefits

• University contributions to health, dental, life and disability insurance
• Tuition waivers for employees and their families
• 12 official holidays
• Immediate leave accrual
• A choice of retirement programs with university contributions ranging from 5 to 10% of employee salary

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree