Associate Research Scientist

OCLC•Dublin, OH

16d•Hybrid

About The Position

OCLC Research is seeking an associate research scientist to join its Research Insights team. The role contributes to projects that help libraries navigate technology transformation and changing institutional and organizational landscapes, and support research, teaching, and learning. The successful candidate will work with senior research scientists and data and software engineering professionals on a range of qualitative, quantitative, and technical research projects. The associate research scientist will work across the research lifecycle, using complex datasets and methods such as interviews, surveys, literature synthesis, and study design. They will communicate findings to library leaders and practitioners through blog posts, reports, briefs, webinars, and other external communications. The position also involves developing knowledge of library cataloging systems, metadata standards, and library work, and exploring how linked data and AI-enabled tools are changing metadata and library operations. This is a hybrid role based at OCLC headquarters in Dublin, Ohio, with three days on-site and two days remote each week. The working environment is a normal office environment.

Requirements

A master's degree in a relevant field, such as library and information science, social science, data science, or a related field.
Demonstrated experience across the research lifecycle, from ideation to completion.
Comfort with at least one area of research methods—qualitative, quantitative, or technical—and willingness to learn others.
Clear writing and communication skills, including the ability to make research accessible to a library audience.
Ability to work on-site in Dublin, Ohio, three days a week.

Nice To Haves

A doctorate is encouraged but not required.
Working knowledge of library cataloging systems, library operations, or library work more broadly.
Comfort working with large datasets in Python, R, or similar tools.
Experience with relational databases.
Prior experience working in a library setting.
Interest in linked data, knowledge graphs, or AI-enabled discovery and workflow tools.
Experience writing for a professional, non-academic audience.
Experience presenting at webinars or conferences.

Responsibilities

Contribute to research projects across the full lifecycle, from framing questions and designing studies to collecting, analyzing, and communicating results.
Use qualitative and quantitative methods, selecting approaches that fit the research question.
Use generative AI tools to assist and augment research, particularly to create verifiable and repeatable data preparation and analysis workflows.
Analyze datasets using Python, R, statistical tools, or qualitative analysis methods, partnering with technical staff on data access and quality when needed.
Build knowledge of library cataloging systems, metadata standards, and library work, and apply that knowledge to research design.
Explore how linked data and AI-enabled discovery and workflow tools are reshaping metadata and library operations.
Co-author blog posts, reports, and briefs that translate research findings for a library audience.
Represent OCLC in webinars and other external communications.
Bring new tools and methods to the team while continuing to build skills.

Benefits

Best-in-class health coverage.
Retirement plans with generous company contributions.
On-site fitness center, gym sports, group exercise classes, and game room at no cost.
On-site catering and cafeteria subsidized by OCLC.
Health and wellness events.
Paid parental leave.
Adoption assistance.
Tuition reimbursement.
Public Service Loan Forgiveness eligibility.
Company-subsidized pricing on local tickets and memberships.
Competitive compensation.