Master's-level Library Scientist – Systematic Reviews & Evidence Synthesis

RTI International•Durham, NC

About The Position

RTI International is seeking a master’s-level Library Scientist to support its evidence synthesis portfolio, which includes systematic and comparative effectiveness reviews, health technology assessments, rapid and scoping reviews, evidence maps, other evidence reviews, and research portfolio analysis for federal and other clients. The role leads the design and execution of comprehensive literature searches and reference management, contributes as a research analyst, and provides editorial support to review teams. The Library Scientist collaborates with senior research staff, methodologists, and content experts on large federally funded systematic reviews and smaller evidence synthesis projects. The position requires expertise in searching health-related and allied health bibliographic databases, citation management, and editorial quality assurance. Work may be based at RTI’s U.S. office in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, or may be considered for fully remote work from an approved U.S. location. Teleworking is permitted only within the United States and is subject to RTI approval; not all U.S. locations may be eligible.

Requirements

Master’s degree in library science, library and information science, information science, or equivalent; an ALA-accredited program is preferred.
At least 3 years of experience as a health sciences/medical librarian or information specialist supporting systematic reviews or other evidence synthesis.
Expert-level searching skills across major health-related databases and interfaces, including controlled vocabularies and database-specific syntax.
Expert proficiency in citation management, including deduplication, shared libraries, full-text retrieval, and output style formatting; EndNote is preferred.
Working knowledge of evidence synthesis standards and guidance, such as the Cochrane Handbook, AHRQ EPC Methods Guide, PRISMA 2020, PRISMA-S, and PRESS.
Experience using systematic review software.
Excellent attention to detail and ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously.
Ability to collaborate with geographically distributed staff with varied education and experience.
Excellent oral and written communication skills and proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
Ability to meet client conflict-of-interest requirements, including having no current or future financial relationships with pharmaceutical manufacturers.
Legally authorized to work in the United States without requiring current or future employment visa sponsorship.

Nice To Haves

Hands-on research analyst experience in screening, data abstraction, and risk of bias assessment, and co-authorship of published systematic reviews.
Experience supporting federally or nonprofit-funded evidence synthesis programs, such as AHRQ Evidence-based Practice Center, USPSTF, PCORI, CDC, EPA, or NIH programs.
Editorial experience copyediting or technically editing reports and manuscripts for consistency, coherence, reference accuracy, and adherence to style guides.
Experience using AI and automation tools for search development, deduplication, or screening, and search development aids such as DistillerSR’s Smart Evidence Extraction, Yale MeSH Analyzer, or PubMed PubReMiner.
Experience with bibliometric or research portfolio analysis.
Additional degree or coursework in public health, health sciences, or a related field.
Experience teaching or training researchers in literature searching and reference management.

Responsibilities

Translate evidence synthesis questions and scope into search strategies with project directors, clients, and content experts, and help document search methods in protocols and reports.
Design, test, and execute comprehensive, reproducible searches using controlled vocabulary and free-text terms across health-related bibliographic databases and platforms.
Conduct grey literature and supplemental searches, including searches of trial registries, regulatory and government sources, conference proceedings, and citation references.
Peer review search strategies and document and report searches consistent with current standards, including preparing search appendices and flow diagrams.
Lead citation management for project teams by building and managing libraries, deduplicating records, retrieving full text, maintaining shared libraries, formatting references, and training staff.
Run update and surveillance searches for living, update, and multi-year reviews.
Conduct title/abstract and full-text screening, data abstraction, risk of bias appraisal, and evidence table preparation; contribute to qualitative and quantitative synthesis.
Use systematic review software to manage the review process.
Collaborate with the team to explore, test, and validate AI and automation tools for searching, deduplication, and screening.
Review and copyedit reports, manuscripts, and other deliverables for consistency, coherence, reference accuracy, and compliance with formatting and style guidelines; support quality control.
Maintain client-specific templates for protocols and reports and help teams use and troubleshoot them.
Support development of research products, including reports, manuscripts, presentations, guidance documents, and memos.
Contribute search methods and information-specialist sections to proposals under the direction of more senior staff.
Help onboard, train, and mentor research analysts in searching, reference management, and documentation practices.