Research Data Sharing and Repository Specialist, University Libraries

The Pennsylvania State University • University Park, FL

3d • Hybrid

About The Position

Join the Research Data Stewardship Department as a Research Data Sharing and Repository Specialist , a central role in supporting Penn State researchers and ensuring institutional repository and data sharing services are researcher-centered, policy-aligned, and sustainable. This position in the Pennsylvania State University Libraries provides strategic and operational leadership for ScholarSphere, a Penn State institutional repository, and associated research data sharing and curation services. The Research Data Sharing and Repository Specialist serves as the product owner for ScholarSphere, leading repository strategy, service development, and day-to-day operations. This position offers an exciting opportunity to shape the future of data sharing and institutional repository services as well as contribute to university-wide efforts to advance open, reproducible research and long-term stewardship of research outputs.

Requirements

• Applicants must have experience in at least one of the following: Curation or preservation , such as organizing, maintaining, or preparing collections or works
• Quality control work, where ensuring accuracy or compliance was a primary responsibility
• User experience in a research setting , supporting researchers and helping improve research-related workflows
• Experience leading or coordinating complex workflows and contributing to the development of standards, policies, or procedures
• Experience collaborating with technical teams on software development or system enhancements (e.g., writing requirements, use cases, feature or issue requests)
• Effective collaboration, communication, organizational, and project management skills
• Ability to convey technical concepts to a variety of audiences
• Experience developing and delivering training or instructional programming
• Inclusive and respectful when working with others
• Bachelor's Degree
• 3+ years of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience accepted

Nice To Haves

• Demonstrated experience with institutional or disciplinary repositories
• Hands-on experience with research data curation
• Familiarity with FAIR and CARE principles and the research data lifecycle
• Knowledge of policies and best practices related to research data curation, management, and sharing

Responsibilities

• Repository Strategy, Product Ownership, and Operations Lead product ownership for ScholarSphere, setting priorities, roadmaps, workflows, and sustainability plans aligned with institutional goals and evolving data‑sharing requirements.
• Translate researcher needs, policies, and program priorities into actionable service and technical requirements, using user testing and repository metrics to guide continuous improvement.
• Collaborate with campus partners and external open‑scholarship communities, including the Data Curation Network, to maintain current, well‑aligned repository services and practices.
• Data Curation, Metadata, and Preservation Services Lead data curation and preservation for ScholarSphere, developing, documenting, and continuously improving workflows, standards, and policies.
• Perform and oversee hands‑on curation of research outputs (e.g., data, code, documentation) and support long-term preservation.
• In the curation of research outputs, ensure accessibility and compliance while enhancing FAIRness ( F indable, A ccessible, I nteroperable, and R eusable) and address technical and ethical risks (e.g., privacy, sensitive data, format sustainability)
• Supervise data curation staff—including full‑time, part‑time, and student employees—by setting priorities, coordinating work, and supporting professional growth.
• Researcher Consultation, Training, and Support Consult with researchers on data preparation for publication, repository selection, metadata creation, web accessibility, compliance requirements, and budgeting for data sharing and preservation.
• Develop and deliver training, documentation, and outreach to support effective, ethical, and reproducible research data sharing practices as well as use of ScholarSphere.
• Build outstanding relationships with researchers and librarians to understand disciplinary workflows and tailor services accordingly.

Benefits

• Penn State provides a competitive benefits package for full-time employees designed to support both personal and professional well-being.
• In addition to comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, employees enjoy robust retirement plans and substantial paid time off which includes holidays, vacation and sick time.
• One of the standout benefits is the generous 75% tuition discount, available to employees as well as eligible spouses and children.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees