Data Visualization Librarian I/II

Working/Functional Title

Data Visualization Librarian I/II

Position Summary

Michigan State University (MSU) Libraries seeks a creative, service-oriented professional to join the Digital Scholarship Lab as the Data Visualization Librarian. 

As a member of a team of professionals in the Digital Scholarship Lab, the Data Visualization Librarian will be a key contributor to the MSU Libraries’ services and programs for data visualization, immersive technologies, and digital scholarship. Collaborating with colleagues across the Libraries, this position provides consultation services, designs programming, and delivers course-embedded sessions that demonstrate the transformative capabilities of data visualization tools and techniques for teaching, learning, and research. 

The Data Visualization Librarian will contribute to rich, well-developed communities at MSU that are experimenting with data visualization tools, XR/AR/MR/VR, gaming, and other immersive technologies. The ideal candidate values collaboration, inclusivity, and community engagement in the design and implementation of services and programs that support data visualization, immersive technology, and research data management. In addition, they will bring expertise and a learning mindset that will shape a growing, dynamic digital scholarship and data services program at the MSU Libraries.

The MSU Libraries Digital Scholarship Lab (DSL) offers cutting-edge technology, including a 360 immersive visualization room, a VR room, a high-powered computer lab, advanced digitization capabilities, and a faculty incubator space for collaborative research. Working closely with the Hollander MakeCentral, the DSL attracts faculty and students from all colleges within the university, hosts a variety of learning opportunities, and serves as an incubator for digital projects. The DSL engages scholars locally, regionally, and nationally, with plans for continued iteration and growth of our digital scholarship and research data management programming to meet emerging and evolving needs.

Duties include but are not limited to:
●    Design and implement programming that centers the creative and transformative potential of data visualization tools and techniques in teaching, learning, and research.
●    Support faculty, researchers, and students through consultation services on the design of curricula, learning activities, and research projects that leverage the affordances of data visualization tools and techniques.
●    Design and lead training and workshops that support the creative use and critical understanding of data visualization tools and techniques.
●    Collaborate with the Data Services Librarian in advancing data literacy and data curation and the provisioning of research data management services and programs.
●    Collaborate with the Transformative Technologies Coordinator to ensure that DSL software and hardware align with current and future pedagogical and research needs at MSU.
●    Cultivate collaborative relationships within the Libraries and across the university around research support, data visualization, and immersive technologies.
●    Stay abreast of current developments, trends, and software to support data services and visualization and immersive technologies.
●    Represent the Digital Scholarship Lab on groups and committees at MSU and within the Libraries that support the life cycle of digital projects.

MSU Librarians may have a quarter-time secondary assignment (position dependent) based on the needs of the library and candidate interests. 

We welcome candidates who meet the minimum requirements to apply and will support their professional development to grow in this position.

Librarians are appointed as regular faculty in the continuing appointment system. Faculty are expected to independently apply judgment; have excellent oral and communication skills; and demonstrate attention to detail; flexibility; collegiality; the capacity for collaboration; and a commitment to diversity and inclusion in performance of their duties. As faculty, they develop a self-directed program of professional development and scholarly activities related to their position; and serve on library and university committees as elected or assigned.

The librarian will work to advance the initiatives in the MSU Strategic Plan and in the MSU Libraries Strategic Plan. In support of these initiatives, the Libraries serve as a center of activity and engagement on campus, with librarians empowered to support both student development and transformative research activities.

The MSU Libraries Strategic Plan guides our current and future work. The candidate will partner with our diverse campus to grow our welcoming multicultural environment. More information on MSU and the MSU Libraries’ dedication to diversity, equity, and inclusion is available at: http://www.inclusion.msu.edu/about/index.html.

Michigan State University Libraries serve more than 4,900 faculty, 40,000 undergraduates, and 11,000 graduate and professional students on a park-like campus of over 5,000 acres. 

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability or protected veteran status.

Required Degree

Masters -Library and Information Science

Minimum Requirements

●    Master’s degree in information or library science from a program accredited by the American Library Association or an equivalent accreditation from an international institution.
●    Knowledge of data visualization tools and techniques.
●    Experience supporting the research lifecycle of digital projects.
●    Experience with learning and teaching technologies associated with data visualization.
●    Preparation and commitment to conducting independent scholarship consistent with a library faculty appointment.
●    Strong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion and an intention to work in and foster a collaborative, respectful culture.
●    Capacity and commitment to engage independently in continuing professional development.

Desired Qualifications

●    Instruction experience with undergraduate courses. 
●    Demonstrated experience providing consultations, workshops, and programming on data visualization and analysis tools and techniques. 
●    Experience working with at least one commonly used data visualization software or language (e.g. Python, R, Flourish, Tableau)
●    Experience with XR and its adoption in teaching and/or research
●    Understanding of best practices for development of accessible data and/or immersive visualizations

Required Application Materials

Interested applicants should provide a letter of application, CV/resume, and names, addresses and email addresses of three references (2 must be present/past supervisors) to http://careers.msu.edu. 

Special Instructions

Minimum $62,000. Salary is negotiable. MSU provides generous fringe benefits including health care, dental care, professional development funding, 22 paid vacation days, 9 University holidays, 2 personal observance days, paid sick days, tuition discounts, and relocation reimbursement.

For questions, please contact Jacquelyn Hansen, aholajac@msu.edu, at MSU Libraries' Human Resources Department.

Website

http://lib.msu.edu

Department Statement

The Libraries are at the center of academic life at Michigan State University, providing expertise, collections, and infrastructure for discovery and creation. We facilitate connections that support research, teaching, and learning in our local and global communities. 

MSU Statement

Michigan State University has been advancing the common good with uncommon will for more than 160 years. One of the top research universities in the world, MSU pushes the boundaries of discovery and forges enduring partnerships to solve the most pressing global challenges while providing life-changing opportunities to a diverse and inclusive academic community through more than 200 programs of study in 17 degree-granting colleges.