Head of Research Data Services (open rank Librarian II, III, IV)

Georgia Institute of Technology • Atlanta, GA

70d • $90,000

About The Position

The Library at the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta, Georgia seeks a collaborative and innovative Head of Research Data Services to lead the development and delivery of programs that support the management, curation, and sharing of research data across the Institute. The Head of Research Data Services will have a unique opportunity to shape the Library’s role in supporting data-intensive research at a leading Research 1 (R1) institution by advancing data literacy, open science, and compliance with funding agency requirements in collaboration with researchers, IT staff, and other campus units. This position is envisioned as the foundation for a growing Research Data Services program. While the Head of Research Data Services will initially serve as the primary specialist, the long-term goal is to expand the team with additional positions as funding permits. The ideal candidate will be a strong, forward-thinking leader with a commitment to service excellence and the ability to foster collaboration both within and beyond the Library. They should possess the vision, resilience, and core skills necessary to independently develop, deliver, and sustain research data services until additional staff can be hired. This position reports to the Associate Dean for Research and Scholarly Access.

Requirements

• Appointment to this rank requires an appropriate terminal degree, typically an American Library Association (ALA) - accredited master's degree, a degree in a subject related to archival work, and/or in the appropriate area of specialization.
• Evidence of scholarship and/or evidence of service to the librarian profession.
• 5 years of professional experience for Librarian II.
• A strong record of scholarship and service demonstrating significant contributions to the librarian/archivist profession for Librarian III.
• 10 years of professional experience for Librarian III.
• A strong record of scholarship and service demonstrating the highest standards of professional contributions to the librarian profession and are recognized widely by peers for Librarian IV.
• 15 years of professional experience for Librarian IV.

Nice To Haves

• Experience working in a research lab or research study, preferably in a STEM field.
• Experience starting or developing a new program, service, or department within a research or academic environment.
• Two or more years of progressively responsible supervisory experience.
• Experience in supporting research data management and dissemination, including knowledge of documentation and metadata standards, approaches to support preservation, and best practices for sharing data.
• Experience with a variety of data repository platforms (e.g., Dataverse, OSF, Figshare, Dryad) and familiarity with metadata standards (e.g., DataCite, Dublin Core, disciplinary schemas).
• Knowledge of open-source tools and technologies that support data discovery, sharing, and reuse (e.g., Jupyter Notebooks, GitHub, Zenodo).
• Proficiency in various statistical analysis and programming languages (e.g., R, Python), data visualization tools (e.g., Tableau), and qualitative and mixed methods software (e.g., NVivo, MAXQDA).
• Knowledge of high-performance computing environments and their role in research data workflows.
• Understanding of data privacy, security, and ethical issues in research data (e.g., HIPAA, GDPR, FERPA).
• Knowledge of emerging trends in higher education and new developments in research data services including data management, curation, and stewardship and how they support teaching, scholarship, and research.
• Experience creating and delivering advanced training sessions, workshops, and outreach programs on research data topics, such as FAIR principles, funder requirements, or open science practices.
• Demonstrated commitment to developing a team through cultivating a culture of coaching, mentoring, and training.
• Ability to lead departmental change, engage in big picture thinking, and build consensus around a strategic vision.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships, facilitate internal communication, and coordinate efforts across library departments.
• Demonstrated experience with project management, including planning, communication, and assessment.
• Ability to promote an inclusive and welcoming educational and work environment.
• Excellent interpersonal, organizational, analytical, written, and oral communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement strategic plans for research data services in alignment with the university's and the Library's mission, values, and vision.
• Participate in long-range planning, collaborating with Library leadership, faculty, and staff to identify and advance strategic opportunities supporting research data services.
• Advise the Associate Dean for Research and Scholarly Access on departmental matters, including planning, resource allocation, and service development.
• Serve as the foundation for a growing Research Data Services program, with the long-term goal of expanding the team as funding permits.
• Provide expertise and leadership to faculty and staff on research data best practices, policies, and workflows.
• Oversee daily operations, budget planning, and resource allocation for the Research Data Services department.
• Hire, train, supervise, develop, and evaluate Research Data Services faculty and staff.
• Lead projects and cross-functional teams related to research data management, curation, and open science.
• Collaborate with the Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP), the Executive Director for Research Computing and Data, academic departments, and external partners to integrate research data services into institutional research infrastructure.
• Partner with archivists, librarians, and other Library colleagues to ensure a unified strategy for research data management, curation, sharing, and preservation.
• Represent the Library in campus-wide committees and working groups focused on research data, open science, and research computing, advocating for best practices and shared priorities.
• Provide expert consultation services to researchers on data management plans, data organization, metadata standards, data documentation, and strategies for data discovery, sharing, and curation.
• Design and deliver training sessions, workshops, and outreach programs to educate researchers on effective data management practices across the research lifecycle.
• Identify emerging trends and assess user needs to inform the creation or enhancement of research data services.
• Collaborate with liaison librarians and other library staff to incorporate research data services into instruction, research consultations, and departmental outreach.
• Stay current with technologies, standards, and trends in research data, open science, and scholarly communication.
• Seek opportunities for innovation and experimentation that enhance library services and strengthen the university's research enterprise.
• Contribute professionally through research, scholarship, and creative activities consistent with expectations for Library faculty members.
• Foster positive relations with faculty, students, and staff, promoting the Library's and Institute's values.
• Contribute to the profession through active participation in professional organizations at local, state, regional, or national levels.

Benefits

• Flexible work schedules
• Professional development
• Healthy work-life balance
• Benefits-eligible position with a minimum salary of $90,500 including an administrative stipend, commensurate with education and experience.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Industry: Educational Services
• Education Level: Master's degree