Job Requisition ID:Time Type:Full time
Employee Group:Staff
Job Category:Library and Archives
Employment Type:Permanent
Department:Libraries - Collections, Technology and Scholarly Communication
Hiring Range:$80,248.28 - $100,310.35
Posting Information:This posting is for an existing vacancy.
The internal posting deadline for this position is August 7th, 2026, at 11:59PM. There is a qualified internal in the role.This position is contingent on funding Job Description:Primary PurposeThe Research Data Management Librarian supports the university's research data management strategy by providing consultation for researchers who are working with research data, including advice on data discovery, data management plans, data deposit and preservation, creating training materials, presentations and workshops, and communications and outreach on research data management. The role also contributes to broader scholarly communication services and strategies that support the dissemination, impact, and stewardship of the University's research outputs. The librarian is a member of the Scholarly Communications, Data and Geospatial Services Team and works collaboratively with colleagues in the libraries and across the institution who support the research lifecycle, including the Institutional Research Data Management Implementation Working Group.
Key AccountabilitiesResearch data management consultationProvide consultation and support for data management planning, metadata production, data organization and preservation issues to researchers in partnership with library colleagues, sensitive to differences in research data across scholarly disciplines
- Provide consultation and support on preparing research data for deposit, such as anonymizing data
- Collaborate with the Inclusive Research Team, Office of Research, to provide support for Indigenous research data
- Prioritize, evaluate, negotiate and manage requests for research data management support
- Monitor trends of research data in bibliometrics and research impact evaluations
- Advise on compliance with funder, publisher, and institutional requirements and collaborate with colleagues to support researchers in managing and sharing datasets and other scholarly outputs
- Outreach and education
- Develop and provide educational opportunities, including online instructional materials, to support researchers at all proficiency levels, assessing needs, coordinating learning opportunities, and actively promote content
- Educate researchers about their research data management obligations and how they may effectively meet those obligations
- Provide guidance and resources to Liaison Librarians to enable proactive support for research data management in their disciplines
- Train university staff on Tri-Agency research data management requirements as they appear in granting programs and on how to advise faculty members on the efficacy of their data management plans in grant applications
- Contribute to the development and delivery of programming on scholarly communication topics (e.g., open access, research impact, open science) and promote awareness of evolving models in collaboration with library and campus partners
Manage data repository- Monitor and approve accounts for Waterloo Dataverse Collection
- Maintain data deposit guidelines
- Assist researchers with data deposit
- Manage positive relationships with Scholars Portal and arrange for technical support and advanced training
- Monitor the marketplace for advances in research data management tools
- Collaborate with colleagues responsible for institutional repositories and publishing services to support the integration and discoverability of research data alongside other scholarly outputs
- Functional direction and guidance
- Oversee and provide direction, guidance and mentorship to co-op students
- Provide functional direction to staff that may participate on projects the incumbent leads
- Participate in performance discussions and reviews as appropriate
- Professional and community service and research
- Connect with professional organizations in their area of expertise and actively contribute
- Engage with developments in scholarly communication (e.g., open access, research assessment, data-intensive scholarship) and contribute expertise to institutional and professional initiatives
- Actively participate on specialized teams or working groups to support the unique needs and strategic goals at the University of Waterloo
- Advance academic librarianship and the academic library community through participation in provincial, regional, national, and international organizations and consortia (e.g., OCUL, CARL, ARL, CRKN, CNI)
- Contribute to the goals and strategic initiatives of the Libraries
- Participate in professional development and research activities that advance professional growth
Required QualificationsEducation- A Master's degree in library, archival or information studies from an ALA- accredited or equivalent institution
- Coursework in data science is an asset
Experience- Experience delivering research data management support
- Experience providing a user-centred vision and practice of library services
- Experience developing, delivering, and assessing instructional content and learning objectives and/or outcomes
- Experience analyzing information and making recommendations or decisions based on that analysis
- Experience with web technologies, content management systems, and digital research repositories
- Experience managing projects
Knowledge/Skills/Abilities- Knowledge of foundational research data management principles and best practices (e.g., FAIR principles, OCAP)
- Knowledge of data discovery search strategies
- Knowledge of emerging issues in Canadian and international research policy that may impact research data management, such as Indigenization and Indigenous data sovereignty, equity, diversity, and inclusion, and open science
- Familiarity with diverse methods of research data collection, types of research data (including data collected with human participants), and data storage options relevant to a broad range of scholarly disciplines
- Strong understanding of the research data life cycle and research process
- Excellent oral and written communication skills, sensitive to the needs and interests of diverse audiences, ranging from University senior leaders to individual researchers and administrators
- Ability to create, sustain and enhance effective working relationships and partnerships
- Demonstrated commitment to professional development and continuing to learn and evolve as a data professional
- Demonstrated commitment to fostering an environment of equity, diversity, and inclusion
- Proficiency with standard office software, including Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
- Understanding of issues related to digital preservation (asset)
