Miskatonic University Press

Research data management librarian job posting at York University

code4lib york

Research data management librarian wanted at York University Libraries in Toronto, where I work.

York University Libraries (YUL) seeks a dynamic and innovative individual with strong leadership potential to advance York University Libraries’ research data management portfolio in support of the research community across campus.

The successful candidate will be a member of the new Research and Open Scholarship division and will report to the Director for Open Scholarship. The incumbent will lead the development of a research data management program on campus and will coordinate ongoing support in this area within a team-based environment. The incumbent will work collegially with departmental members to advance the wider responsibilities of the Open Scholarship Department.

I’m not on the search committee and am happy to answer any questions I can from anyone interested in applying, by email or even by phone. They’re looking for someone who knows RDM and also can handle chemistry and other physical sciences.

Pay at York is good. I’d guess someone five years out of library school would get over $90,000 CAD. We have good benefits, time for (and expectations about) research, and of course the subway comes right on campus now. After six years the person will be up for continuing appointment (what we call tenure) and then get a sabbatical year. On the bad side, of course, CUPE 3903 is on strike right now.

YUL is going through a restructuring and this position will be in a new department. Anyone taking the job should ask serious questions about how the department will work and what support they will have in the role, but all in all I think the new structure will work pretty well and there is a lot of promise ahead.

Non-Canadians are welcome to apply. The way it works, any qualified Canadian trumps any non-Canadian, even if the non-Canadian is actually better, but don’t let that stop you from applying. The bigger the pool the better for us, of course, but with specialized knowledge like this, you never know what will happen or how many Canadians will apply.

Anyone whose career has taken unusual turns or had to take some time out (for parental or caregiver leave or something else) should mention that in the cover letter, and the search committee will consider it.