Data Librarian -- Wichita State University -- Wichita, KS

To apply for this position, please click here.

Summary of Responsibilities:
The Wichita State University (WSU) Libraries invite applications for a tenure-track position at the rank of Assistant Professor or above with an anticipated start date in August 2024. Placement in rank subject to review of scholarship and experience. This position reports to the Associate Dean of Academic Engagement and Public Services.

• Develops and leads services and programs designed to support students, faculty, and staff on the use of data throughout the research lifecycle.
• Serves as liaison librarian to selected programs and/or schools to be determined based on the candidate’s education and experience. Possible liaison assignments include College of Innovation and Design, College of Engineering, and College of Applied Studies (Education).
• Provides research consultation and teaching in a variety of environments.

Required Education: A master’s degree from a program accredited by the American Library Association or equivalent.

Required Experience: Experience working in an academic or large public library.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of data services concepts, such as data curation, data literacy, data visualization, data management plans, open data, and the lifecycle of research data.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated commitment to working successfully with a varied student population.
• Potential to meet the University Libraries’ tenure and promotion requirements for librarianship, scholarship, and service at a level that would merit tenure and promotion.

Preferred Experience:

• Experience with data management, data services, or data science.
• Experience providing research support and instruction.

Why WSU Libraries?
The University Libraries provide students, staff, and faculty with the information, technology, and spaces essential for academic success at Wichita State University (WSU). This includes one-on-one research support, flexible study environments, and convenient hours. Our facilities include dozens of individual and group study rooms and a Tech Hub featuring VR, AR, and GIS technologies, 3-D printing, and a recording studio. Part of the facility is open 24/7. Faculty Librarians teach synchronous and asynchronous classes and workshops across all disciplines. The University Libraries’ research collections include more than two million print volumes, hundreds of databases, streaming media resources, and digital collections, as well as an amazing array of Special Collections of local, regional, and national renown. Ablah Library is a selective online depository of government documents and houses the only Patent and Trademark Resource Center in Kansas.

The University welcomed a new Dean of University Libraries in October 2023, introducing an opportunity to rethink and redesign our services and spaces. We’re excited by this new phase of innovation and growth that is strengthening and expanding our connections with campus and community partners – all focused on the academic success of WSU faculty and students.

Why WSU?
Wichita State University is one of the nation’s premiere urban public research universities. WSU is an emerging R1 institution which supports the University Libraries as a purposeful and integral piece of achieving that status. WSU’s over 550 full-time faculty confer degrees in 63 bachelor’s programs, 13 doctoral programs, and 52 master’s programs through eight colleges: the Barton School of Business, the College of Applied Studies, the College of Engineering, the College of Fine Arts, the College of Health Professions, the College of Innovation and Design, the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, and the Cohen Honors College.

With a student body of over 17,000, WSU’s focus on innovation attracts students from every state in the United States and more than 115 countries. More than 45 percent of WSU’s students are first generation and represent a very racially and ethnically diverse community of learners.

WSU is a rising force in higher education, research, and innovation. WSU is third in the nation for aerospace, aeronautical, and astronautical engineering research development (R&D), and thirteenth in the nation for engineering R&D overall. WSU’s 330-acre campus infuses a spirit of research and industrial innovation into the traditional educational footprint. WSU’s Innovation Campus is home to many global companies and organizations including Airbus, Spirit AeroSystems, Deloitte, Hexagon, Textron Aviation (Cessna & Beechcraft), Dassault Systèmes, NetApp, FirePoint, GoCreate, and Fairmount Technologies as well as the National Institute for Aviation Research (NIAR). Students employed by these companies gain valuable real-world experience in the corresponding research laboratories and manufacturing floors.

On campus, more than 80 pieces of outdoor sculpture by internationally famous artists adorn the campus including the Reclining Figure: Hand by Henry Moore and two Rodins on the Library Plaza. The collections of University’s Ulrich Museum of Art emphasize contemporary art. In addition to a vibrant campus theatre, dance, and music scene, Wichita State is home to 15 NCAA Division I teams.

Why Wichita?
Wichita is a city that offers a great quality of life with affordable housing, excellent education, and a plethora of job opportunities. Forbes has ranked Wichita in the Top 4 cities to move to. It is one of the best places to live in the U.S. because of its solid performance in the housing, cost of living, and transportation categories. With almost 650,000 residents, the Wichita metro area has big city benefits (thriving cultural, entertainment, dining, & recreation scenes) with
small town traffic. It’s home to a world-class zoo, the botanical gardens, the Wichita Symphony, Wichita Grand Opera, Broadway in Wichita with The American Theatre Guild, and Music Theatre Wichita.

As a leader in both R&D and manufacturing, Wichita is known as the "Air Capital of the World." Wichita is the birthplace of Pizza Hut, White Castle, and Freddy’s fast-food chains and home to the global headquarters of Koch Industries (2023 revenue of $125B), the 2nd largest privately-owned company in the United States. Cargill, the nation's largest privately-owned company, also has a significant presence in Wichita.