[LIBJOBS] Biomedical Informatics & Emerging Technologies Librarian, Hershey, Pennsylvania, USA

Biomedical Informatics & Emerging Technologies Librarian
The Pennsylvania State University Libraries

The George T. Harrell Health Sciences Library at Penn State Hershey seeks a Biomedical Informatics & Emerging Technologies Librarian.  Reporting to the Director, the incumbent will help create and articulate an evolving technology strategy for a 21st century library to support the research, education, clinical, and community outreach missions of Penn State Hershey; the medical campus of Penn State University.  This is a faculty position, may be a multi-year contract or tenure track based on qualifications, experience, and preference.

Position Summary:

The Biomedical Informatics & Emerging Technologies Librarian will expand the library’s role in supporting the basic and clinical biomedical research initiatives, determining and proactively meeting the educational and research needs of faculty.  She/he will be responsible for providing leadership and expertise in designing and developing the library’s virtual presence in support of the biomedical sciences; and will identify initiatives and projects that enhance and further develop state-of the-art online library services and resources that simplify the workflow of clinicians, researchers and students.  She/he will participate in the redesign of the Harrell HSL website within a CMS framework and collaborate with the IT departments, both on the Hershey campus and with University Libraries, to further develop and implement web based resources and services, and integrate relevant existing systems.  Critical skills include demonstrated knowledge of advances in the application of information technologies to manage and deliver content, the ability to function effectively in a team environment, and a facility for cross-departmental and cross-campus communications.

Responsibilities:

• Build strategic relationships throughout the clinical and biomedical research enterprise identifying opportunities for collaboration and proactively meeting the educational and research needs of faculty.
• Track trends, investigate new developments and applications, and incorporate appropriate technologies into the library environment to improve library services and access to resources.
• Work with library faculty on initiatives that enhance and further develop state-of-the-art contextually-based knowledge integration applications, and online services and resources.
• Member of the Library Strategic & Operational Group; participate in strategic planning and evaluation of library programs, services and resources.
• Provide liaison services in support of research and participate in the library’s education program.
• Serve on Library, COM and University committees as appropriate.
• Contribute to the profession through research, writing, service, and involvement in professional organizations.
  

Qualifications:

• MLS/MLIS from an ALA-accredited institution or equivalent degree in Informatics, Information Science or Design, Human Computer Interaction, or similar field.
• Minimum of 2 years related experience.
• Documented evidence of successful management of web and/or systems projects; knowledge of data-driven library web design as it pertains to the delivery of library services and resources; familiarity with Web Content Management Systems (CMS).
• Knowledge of technology and standards related to digital libraries, data curation, metadata and ontologies.
• Understanding of biomedical knowledge representation, i.e. experience with MeSH and other UMLS vocabularies. 
• Experience with and basic working knowledge of database procedures and relational database design. 
• Knowledge of advances in the application of information technologies in libraries.
• Experience working with biomedical, bioscience, and health sciences information resources.
• Excellent organizational, communication and presentation skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to effectively interact with all levels of faculty and staff.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Demonstrated commitment to professional development and potential for promotion.
  

Preferred:

• Experience in an Academic Health Sciences Library or healthcare environment.
• Biomedical/bioscience database search skills. 
• Undergraduate or graduate degree in a biomedical or physical science or graduate-level coursework. 
• Some knowledge of cataloging practices and MARC formats.
• Grant experience
  

University Libraries:

Penn State, a land-grant institution, is a member of the CIC (Big 10) academic consortium.  In its special "Paths to Professions" section on September 13, 2010, the Wall Street Journal published results of a survey of industry recruiting executives, with Penn State named the No. 1 overall institution in the nation for producing the best prepared, most well-rounded graduates who are most able to succeed once hired.  Based on current Association for Research Libraries investment rankings, Penn State is now ranked 7th out of 114 of the largest research libraries in North America.  A Penn State student survey completed in 2010 found overall student satisfaction with the Libraries to be at the top of its category. 

The Libraries hold membership in ARL, OCLC, and CRL. Collections exceed 5.4 million volumes, including more than 109,000 current serial subscriptions. The University Libraries are located at University Park and 22 other locations throughout Pennsylvania, and they serve approximately 6,000 faculty and 44,000 students at University Park, and more than 92,000 students system wide.  Penn State Hershey, located approximately 100 miles from University Park, is the medical campus of Penn State University.

Penn State Hershey:

Penn State College of Medicine at Penn State Hershey Medical Center confers the doctor of medicine degree and, in conjunction with Penn State's Graduate School, offers doctor of philosophy degrees in anatomy, biochemistry, and molecular biology, bioengineering, bioinformatics and genomics, cell and molecular biology, chemical biology, genetics, immunology and infectious diseases, integrative biosciences, microbiology and immunology, molecular medicine, molecular toxicology, neuroscience, pharmacology, and physiology.  The College of Medicine offers Master of Science degrees in anatomy, laboratory animal medicine, public health sciences, homeland security, neuroscience, and physiology.

The Penn State Hershey campus is located in Hershey, PA a suburban community approximately twelve miles from Harrisburg, the state capital.  The fourth largest employer in Central Pennsylvania, Penn State's Milton S. Hershey Medical Center provides jobs for more than 6,950 area residents.  Hershey Foods Corporation, also headquartered in Hershey, is Central Pennsylvania's second largest industry.  Hershey is within a 3 hour drive of New York, Washington D.C., and Philadelphia.

Salary and Benefits:

Potential for promotion and tenure will be considered based upon University standards in librarianship, research, service, and outreach.  Salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience. Fringe benefits include liberal vacation, excellent insurance and health care coverage, state or TIAA/CREF retirement options, and educational privileges.

Application Instructions:

Send a letter of application, resume or vitae, and the names and contact information of three professional references (including email addresses), to Search Committee, Box HYBM-LIBJ, The Pennsylvania State University, 511 Paterno Library, University Park, PA 16802. Nominations may be sent to the search committee at the above address or to the chair at lap225@psu.edu.  Review of candidates will begin on March 23, 2012 and continue until the position is filled.

Penn State is committed to affirmative action, equal opportunity, and the diversity of its workforce.