Associate Director for Research, Instruction, and Clinical Information Services

University of Pittsburgh

Health Sciences Library System

The Health Sciences Library System (HSLS) (https://www.health.pitt.edu/) at the University of Pittsburgh (Pitt) invites applications for the Associate Director for Research, Instruction, and Clinical Information Services (RICIS). This newly created position offers an exciting opportunity for a dynamic, visionary leader to shape library services at a time of significant growth and innovation within Pitt’s health sciences (https://www.health.pitt.edu/). The RICIS department is central to advancing education, clinical care, research, and community engagement for Pitt’s health sciences community. The Associate Director plays a critical role in implementing the library’s new strategic plan (https://files.hsls.pitt.edu/files/Final_Strategic_Plan_for_Website.pdf), positioning HSLS to advance initiatives for the health sciences community and remain an innovative leader in academic health sciences libraries.

As a key member of the library’s senior leadership team, the Associate Director for RICIS oversees Liaison Services (https://www.hsls.pitt.edu/liaisons), Data Services (https://www.hsls.pitt.edu/data-services), Scholarly Publishing and Communication (https://www.hsls.pitt.edu/scholarly-publishing-communication), and Advanced Information Services (https://www.hsls.pitt.edu/advanced-literature-searching), leading a talented team of 11 faculty librarians (http://files.hsls.pitt.edu/files/hsls-organization-chart.pdf). This position shares responsibility for strategic and operational planning and collaborates with senior leadership, HSLS’ leadership team, library colleagues, and the health sciences community. The Associate Director for RICIS will conceptualize, plan, and evaluate a wide range of research, instructional, clinical, community engagement, and scholarly support services for faculty, staff, and students across the six schools of the health sciences and graduate medical education programs within the UPMC Health System. This position reports to the Associate Vice Chancellor for HSLS.

This is a unique opportunity to lead, inspire, and contribute to a culture of excellence within an academic library at a leading educational and research institution. This is an appointment stream faculty position. Pitt provides an outstanding benefits package (https://www.facultyhandbook.pitt.edu/faculty-benefits), including comprehensive medical plans, tuition remission, life insurance, dental and vision coverage, a contributory retirement plan, 20 vacation days, 4 personal days, 11 paid holidays, plus a winter recess.

Specific Responsibilities

Administration, Management, and Planning:

• Lead the planning, development, and evaluation of information services within the RICIS department, ensuring alignment with user needs, library objectives, and broader library operations
• Assess the RICIS department’s organizational structure and distribution of responsibilities and propose strategies to optimize services. The initial emphasis will be on advanced information services, such as systematic reviews, evidence synthesis projects, and searches related to the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC). This effort aims to prepare for the forthcoming retirement of the Assistant Director for Advanced Information Services.
• Set priorities for the department in accordance with identified needs, overall library goals, and the library’s strategic plan
• Generate reports on the impact and accomplishments of the RICIS department, utilizing data and feedback to highlight successes, measure outcomes, and guide continuous improvement.
• Supervise and mentor the Assistant Director for Liaison Services and the Assistant Director for Data and Publishing Services
• Collaborate as a member of senior leadership and the library’s leadership team on strategic and operational planning
• Collaborate with the library’s leadership team to foster a culture of innovation, inclusivity, and teamwork
• Maintain awareness of emerging priorities in the health sciences, advances in health sciences librarianship, and opportunities for HSLS to implement innovative solutions
• Identify relevant professional development to advance HSLS services and priorities
  
  

Scholarship And Research

• Cultivate partnerships with the health sciences community, library colleagues, and university collaborators on projects such as grants, research papers, poster presentations, and other creative initiatives
• Share expertise and research findings with the broader academic and professional communities through publication in refereed journals, poster sessions, or presentations at professional meetings
  
  

Service

• Serve on appropriate internal and external committees
• Participate in relevant regional and national professional organizations
  
  

Minimum Qualifications (Required)

Minimum Qualifications:

• Master’s degree from an ALA-accredited program or equivalent advanced degree
• Seven years of professional and progressively responsible library management experience
• Proven capability to evaluate organizational and departmental operations, leveraging both internal and external resources to guide informed decision-making
• Track record of strategic leadership represented by identifying opportunities, recommending innovative solutions, and guiding a department or team toward achieving institutional goals
• Demonstrated experience and success in managing and mentoring library staff and leading teams
• Excellent communication skills, with demonstrated ability to build partnerships and effectively collaborate across internal and external departments
• Commitment to inclusivity, valuing diverse backgrounds, experiences, races, ethnicities, genders, sexual orientations, and perspectives in research, teaching, and service
  
  

Preferred Qualifications

• A second advanced degree in health sciences, informatics, information science, or related
• 10 years experience in management and administration
• Proven expertise in developing and evaluating services related to systematic reviews, evidence synthesis, or IACUC-related searches
• Demonstrated successful utilization of Distiller or other SR tools
• Experience participating in open-access publishing agreements
• Understanding of the new NIH Public Access Policy
• Understanding of the NIH Data Management and Sharing Policy
• Demonstrated ability to evaluate and optimize organizational structures to enhance service delivery and operational efficiency
• Experience leading organizational change
• Success in advocating for library services
• Vision for the future of health sciences libraries, with a focus on innovation to improve service offerings
• Established track record in grant writing and securing funding for library-related projects
  
  

Work Environment

• This position is for a full-time faculty, appointment-stream librarian.
• Appointment will be at the rank of Librarian IV. Salary is commensurate with experience and qualifications; minimum $120,000. Relocation assistance is available.
• The University of Pittsburgh is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer and values equality of opportunity, human dignity and diversity, including people with disability and veterans of the armed forces.
• The University and HSLS are committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse and inclusive workforce. We strongly encourage applications from candidates of all races, genders, ages, ethnicities, cultural heritage or nationalities; religious or political beliefs; sexual orientations or gender identities; and socioeconomic, veteran or ability status.
• HSLS offers flexible work arrangements which include the option to work up to 15 hours remote/per week.
• The University of Pittsburgh (https://www.pitt.edu/about) is one of the oldest institutions of higher education in the United States. Learn more about Pitt Health Sciences (https://www.health.pitt.edu/).
  
  

Review of applications: Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.

Required Application Materials

• Letter of application
• Personal statement explaining how you will draw on your background, experiences, and commitment to contribute to a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment (can be included in the letter of application)
• Curriculum Vitae
• Names and contact information for three professional references.
  
  

Interested candidates should apply at https://www.join.pitt.edu, Requisition #25000110.

Falk Library

Assignment Category

Full-time regular

Bargaining Unit Eligibility

This position may be bargaining unit eligible

Campus

Pittsburgh

Required Attachments

Cover Letter, Curriculum Vitae, Letters of Recommendation