Data Services Specialist
Fondren Library of Rice University is seeking a data services specialist who will lead services focused on research data, including the discovery, analysis, visualization, and management of data. Minimum requirements are a master's degree in quantitative social science, statistics, library and information science, or other relevant discipline (or additional experience) and 2 years of experience supporting users in a research or educational environment through workshops, consultations, or other modes of teaching and engagement.
Summary
The data services specialist leads Fondren Library's services focused on research data, including the discovery, analysis, visualization, and management of data. The data services specialist conducts consultations, workshops, and other programming and develops data services that support Rice University's teaching and research mission.
Reporting to the executive director of Digital Scholarship Services, the successful candidate builds relationships with faculty, staff and students, promotes data literacy, and devises strategies to meet emerging needs. They also help to identify and access relevant datasets, assist in developing policies, practices, and outreach for Fondren Library's data repository services, and support scholars in working with data across the research lifecycle. The successful candidate will demonstrate a commitment to collaboration, excellent communication and outreach skills, a keen enthusiasm for learning, outstanding problem-solving skills, and strong knowledge of statistics and data analysis methods.
Essential Functions
- Provides in-depth research consultations on data discovery, management, analysis, and visualization.
- Develops and delivers workshops and instructional resources on analyzing, visualizing, and managing data.
- Evaluates academic needs in data literacy and collaborates with faculty to integrate data literacy into the classroom and independent learning.
- Develops, implements, and promotes data repository services.
- Assist researchers in curating and sharing data.
- Conducts outreach for data services.
- Stays current on trends in data curation, data science, research data management, statistics, and related domains.
Apply at https://tinyurl.com/RiceDataSpecialist
Required Qualifications
- Master's degree in quantitative social science, statistics, library and information science, or other relevant discipline.
- In lieu of the education requirement, additional related experience, above and beyond what is required, on an equivalent year for year basis may be substituted.
- Two years of experience supporting users in a research or educational environment through workshops, consultations, or other modes of teaching and engagement.
- Demonstrated knowledge of statistics, data visualization techniques, and data analysis tools such as R or Python.
- Excellent communication, problem-solving, and interpersonal skills.
- Demonstrated ability to learn and apply new technical skills.
- Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility.
- Ability to work both independently and collaboratively.
Preferred
- Familiarity with best practices for research data management and data curation.
- Demonstrated knowledge of data information literacy competencies.
- Demonstrated knowledge of freely available and licensed data resources.
- Experience with project management.