Data Science Librarian

Position number: 00112010

The NC State University Libraries invites applications and nominations for the position of Data Science Librarian. The Data Science Services (DSS) department (6 librarians, 1 library specialist, plus graduate student assistants) helps students and other researchers develop critical data science and visualization skills through expert consultation, workshops, and classroom instruction. The department provides support for a wide range of data lifecycle activities including data collection, discovery, access, evaluation, cleaning, preprocessing, transformation, modeling, analysis, geospatial techniques, and visualization. The department is the service owner for the Dataspace in the Hunt Library and the Data Experience Lab in the Hill Library, community-oriented spaces offering specialized computing, expert assistance, and services supporting data science and visualization. DSS collaborates with others in the Libraries and with NC State’s Data Science and AI Academy (DSA), a university-wide effort to meet the university’s growing needs for data science research, education, and expertise.

Responsibilities

The Data Science Librarian provides expert consultative support, workshop-based training, and course-integrated instruction for students, faculty, and researchers in the areas of data science and visualization. The position leads DSS’s support around tabular data, spreadsheet software and tools, and data visualizations, while also contributing to other data science topics aligned with their skills and patron needs. They design, develop, and deliver workshops, both as part of an open workshop series and in collaboration with faculty for course-integrated instruction. They engage with faculty, campus groups, and external partners to support the university’s data and visualization needs, and conduct relevant outreach and participate in sponsoring events. The position collaborates with colleagues and faculty on data-related initiatives and projects, contributes to departmental projects and initiatives, and may mentor or supervise graduate student consultants in their skill areas.

This position is based in North Carolina. This position is eligible for flexible hours with a hybrid work environment. This position will require frequent onsite work.

Required Qualifications

ALA-accredited MLS, MIS, or other relevant, advanced degree

Applicants are encouraged to think broadly about and communicate how their skills and experiences transfer to the qualifications below, including in ways that may not be obvious, such as how non-library-specific skills and experiences speak to the position responsibilities. We strongly encourage and welcome applicants with a variety of backgrounds, interests, and experiences to apply for this position.

Proficiency with concepts for working with tabular data, such as data generation, preparation, analysis, and demonstrated experience with one or more of the following tools for working with spreadsheets and tabular data, such as SPSS, SAS, JMP, GoogleSheets and/or STATA
Proficiency with concepts for data visualization, including conceptualizing, designing, and building effective data visualizations for research presentations and publications
Ability to teach workshops, instruction, or other types of training sessions about preparing and visualizing data, including sessions based in Google Sheets
Demonstrated ability to learn and apply new technical skills and tools; evidence of ongoing, self-directed learning
Interest in providing services that support students, faculty, and staff in developing their data skills
Ability to serve and collaborate with a large user community reflecting a variety of backgrounds and disciplines
Ability to foster an environment of belonging and well-being
Ability to communicate clearly and knowledgeably through a variety of mediums; ability to represent the Libraries to university and external audiences
Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively and work in a team environment
Evidence of ability for ongoing professional development and contribution to the library profession

Preferred Qualifications

It is not required that candidates meet any of the preferred qualifications to be considered for this position. The following skills represent some of the areas in which this position could potentially grow and focus, based on the incumbent’s background and interests.

Demonstrated knowledge and evidence of application of one or more specific data approaches, such as: advanced data visualization; survey design and methodology; qualitative analysis; statistics; or others
Proficiency with one or more programming languages for data transformation, analysis, and visualization, such as R, Python, etc.
Experience providing consultation or developing and delivering instruction, workshops, or training for data topics

The Libraries, the University, and the Area

The NC State University Libraries has been recognized with numerous national and international awards, including the first Association of College and Research Libraries Excellence in Academic Libraries Award, the ACRL Librarian of the Year Award; the Stanford Prize for Innovation in Research Libraries and the American Institute of Architects/American Library Association Building Award for the Hunt Library; the National Medal for Museum and Library Service; two John Cotton Dana Library Public Relations Awards; and Library Journal's Librarian of the Year, Paraprofessional of the Year, and 16 Movers and Shakers awards. The library system consists of the D. H. Hill Jr. Library, the James B. Hunt Jr. Library, and branch libraries for design, natural resources, and veterinary medicine. With a staff of more than 250 FTE, the Libraries has more than 3.2 million titles in its collection and has a total annual budget of over $30 million. The Libraries is the host site for NC LIVE, a multi-type library initiative making digital resources accessible to North Carolina residents. The Libraries is a member of the Association of Research Libraries (ARL), the Digital Library Federation, the Coalition for Networked Information (CNI), the Scholarly Publishing and Academic Resources Coalition (SPARC), the Council for Library and Information Resources (CLIR), the Center for Research Libraries (CRL), and the Triangle Research Libraries Network (TRLN).
The NC State University Libraries has a longstanding commitment to fostering and sustaining a welcoming and supportive environment and service ethic. The Libraries collections also reflect this commitment, from focused collecting efforts across disciplines to locating, capturing, and preserving community voices through archival research and practice. The Libraries has worked to build and attract and pipeline of talent into the profession through Fellows Program and through participation in a variety of initiatives sponsored by the Association of Research Libraries (ARL), the Association of College & Research Libraries (ACRL), and other professional organizations and partnerships. The Libraries sponsors many community-centered programs and activities and cultivates an atmosphere where all students, faculty, and staff are welcomed, valued, and respected.
North Carolina State University was founded with a purpose: to create economic, societal, and intellectual prosperity for the people of North Carolina and the country. From its beginnings as a land-grant institution to its current position as a pre-eminent research enterprise that excels in science, technology, engineering, math, design, the humanities and social sciences, textiles, and veterinary medicine, NC State students, faculty, and staff take problems in hand and work with industry, government, and nonprofit partners to solve them. As the largest academic institution in the state, NC State enrolls over 40,000 students, offering more than 300 undergraduate and graduate degree programs through 68 departments. The university is ranked third among all public universities (without medical schools) in industry-sponsored research expenditures, with over 2,500 U.S. patents issued and over 650 products brought to market.
North Carolina's Research Triangle of Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill lies between the mountains of the Blue Ridge and the shores of the Outer Banks. The Triangle consistently ranks high on lists of desirable American communities. In 2023, Forbes ranked NC State University as one of the top employers in North Carolina. And in 2024-25, the Raleigh and Durham metro area was ranked by U.S. News & World Report as the sixth-best place to live among 150 United States cities.

Salary and Benefits

The Libraries offers a highly competitive salary in recognition of applicable education and experience for this position. Minimum salary: $77,000 annually. Librarians have non-tenure track faculty status (without levels of rank). Benefits include: 26 days vacation, 12 days sick leave; State of NC preferred provider medical insurance, and state, TIAA/CREF, or other retirement options. Additional and optional dental, life, disability, deferred compensation, and legal plans are offered. Tuition waiver program for all campuses of The University of North Carolina is available. More benefits information is available at https://benefits.hr.ncsu.edu. In addition, the Libraries offers generous support for ongoing professional development and training.

Application Process

Applications will be reviewed upon receipt; applications will be accepted until finalist candidates are selected. Candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible to receive full consideration. The Libraries anticipates virtual first-round interviews with finalist interviews happening in person. Appointment requires successful completion of background check. This position is available immediately; start date is negotiable. Applicants must apply through the NC State University online employment website at https://jobs.ncsu.edu. Search in the keyword box by position number 00112010. Complete application, attach cover letter and résumé, and provide contact information for four current, professional references. For assistance with this process, please contact Libraries Administration at (919) 515-7188.

NC State University is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or status as a protected veteran. Persons with disabilities requiring accommodations in the application and interview process please call (919) 515-3148.