Evidence Synthesis Coordinator

University of Pittsburgh • Pittsburgh, PA

2d • $80,000

About The Position

The HSLS Evidence Synthesis Services Coordinator will lead, manage, develop, and expand the HSLS Evidence Synthesis Service, to meet the increasing and evolving demand for comprehensive evidence synthesis projects across the health sciences. This position will build on HSLS's established expertise in systematic reviews and related methodologies, with a focus on enabling high-quality publishable evidence syntheses projects through scalable, efficient, and innovative service models, including the strategic use of emerging digital and AI-enabled tools. This position may evolve to include additional leadership and supervisory responsibilities as the evidence synthesis program grows.
This position both performs and oversees evidence synthesis work. Responsibilities include managing the intake process, overseeing protocol review, librarian training, and data collection to inform ongoing program assessment and reporting. This position provides support, consultations, customized training, and educational sessions on evidence synthesis and literature review projects to faculty, staff, interns/residents, and students, and collaborates on systematic reviews and other multifaceted literature searches. As a part of their responsibilities, they will also serve as the primary liaison to the University's Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC).
This position reports to the Associate Director for Research Instruction and Clinical Information Services, works closely with HSLS leadership, the University's health sciences community, HSLS liaison librarians, and other HSLS departments to identify areas for improvement and apply innovative techniques to create a high-quality user experience.
This appointment-stream faculty position offers a rewarding opportunity to contribute to an innovative library environment at a leading research institution. Pitt provides an outstanding benefits package, including comprehensive medical plans, tuition remission, life insurance, optional dental and vision coverage, a contributory retirement plan, and more, making it one of the best in the region.

Requirements

• Master's degree from an ALA-accredited institution or an equivalent combination of relevant Master's degree and research support experience
• Minimum 5 years of experience in an academic library, or equivalent, with progressive increase in responsibilities
• Experience conducting complex literature searches across multiple databases.
• Experience in developing, conducting, and updating systematic search strategies as demonstrated by co-authorship in publications or manuscript acknowledgments
• Knowledge of documentation and reporting standards for systematic reviews (e.g., PRISMA) and review management software and tools (e.g., DistillerSR, Covidence, etc.)
• Experience mentoring, training, or guiding librarians or research teams in evidence synthesis methods, literature searching, or best practices
• Advanced knowledge of evidence synthesis methodologies
• Ability to evaluate and implement emerging technologies to enhance service efficiency or quality
• Ability to initiate and develop working relationships leading to thriving collaborations.
• Strong organizational, project, and time management skills to lead or coordinate multiple projects. Ability to work independently and as a collaborative team member.
• Demonstrated experience providing instruction or delivering presentations
• Experience working collaboratively and independently with varied groups
• Demonstrated ability to respond effectively to changing needs and priorities, showing initiative and flexibility
• Demonstrated ability to plan, prioritize, coordinate, and implement projects and bring them to a conclusion in a timely fashion
• Proven commitment to excellent customer service and continuous learning
• Effective interpersonal, analytical, and communication skills, both oral and written, including the ability to actively listen, understand, and articulate user needs
• Evidence of skills needed to foster new connections and build relationships
• Commitment to including individuals of diverse backgrounds, experiences, races, ethnicities, gender, sexual orientation, and perspectives in research, teaching, and service

Nice To Haves

• Previous experience coordinating an evidence synthesis or systematic review service, including intake management, policy development, or program assessment
• Demonstrated experience in mentoring, team leadership, or supervision
• Experience using AI and APIs for data and text mining in evidence synthesis projects
• Familiarity with IACUC
• Familiarity and experience with adult learning theory and instruction with adult learners

Responsibilities

• Establish policies, procedures, and workflows to ensure consistent, efficient, and high-quality program operations.
• Manage the intake process for incoming evidence synthesis requests, triaging inquiries, determining service levels, and assigning projects to librarians as appropriate.
• Manage the protocol review process, maintaining best practices and identifying opportunities to refine workflows, improve efficiency, and enhance service quality.
• Develop tiered service models with defined levels of librarian involvement to balance research needs with service capacity.
• Lead program assessment efforts to determine success, impact, and future developments needed for the service by establishing and maintaining efficient monitoring, tracking, and reporting processes to evaluate impact, guide improvements, and support decision-making.
• Lead the advancement of HSLS Librarian searching competencies by providing mentoring and training, and establishing practices to improve and support consistent and reproducible academic and clinical searches.
• Maintain comprehensive knowledge and guide overall adherence to best practices to ensure all HSLS evidence synthesis work is rigorous and consistent.
• Maintain knowledge of and provide guidance on appropriate tool use (e.g., DistillerSR, Covidence, etc.)
• Serve as the primary point of contact for Evidence Synthesis Service requests, consulting with requestors to clarify review type and service level, providing initial protocol review and feedback, taking on individual projects, and assigning to appropriate librarians.
• Maintain a robust individual workload supporting and conducting systematic reviews and other evidence synthesis projects, and literature reviews.
• Lead planning and teaching efforts on evidence synthesis topics for the health science community by providing support, consultation, customized training, and educational sessions to faculty, staff, interns/residents, and students. Assess needs and develop new classes, workshops, programs, and other innovative solutions to meet those needs.
• Develop web content, tutorials, and resource guides on topics related to the Evidence Synthesis Service.
• Collaborate with liaison librarians on opportunities for curriculum integration and faculty research support.
• Monitor and evaluate emerging tools and methods for evidence synthesis, such as text and data mining, and Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools. Implement the tools as appropriate.
• Seek and identify expertise within the University community as potential collaborators to support, develop, and implement these efforts.
• Serve as the primary liaison by conducting 3R, SOP, and policy-related literature searches and by providing support and guidance to animal research investigators, as well as Department of Laboratory Animal Resources (DLAR) and IACUC staff. This position is a non-voting member of the IACUC and requires participation in monthly meetings and AAALAC International site visits every three years.
• Advance professional skills via relevant continuing education
• Engage in library-led scholarship and research activities
• Cultivate partnerships and collaborate with library and University personnel on projects including grants, papers, poster presentations, or other creative undertakings.
• Share expertise and results of research with other information professionals and members of the academic community via publication in refereed journals, poster sessions, and/or presentations at professional meetings.
• Serve on appropriate internal and external committees and participate in relevant regional and national library and health sciences organizations and associations.

Benefits

• Pitt provides an outstanding benefits package, including comprehensive medical plans, tuition remission, life insurance, optional dental and vision coverage, a contributory retirement plan, and more, making it one of the best in the region.
• The University offers a generous leave policy, including 20 days of paid vacation and 4 personal days in addition to sick time and holidays, including a winter break.
• HSLS offers flexible work arrangements, which include the option of working up to 15 hours remote/week.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level