SLIS Jobline Your Source for Professional, Pre-Professional, and Internship Positions

Research Information Support Assistant, Union of Concerned Scientists, Cambridge MA

Posted September 8, 2013

The Research Information Support Assistant position is a one-year half-time internship. The person in this role will provide and coordinate cross-program research information support for UCS scientists and analysts. This internship provides the opportunity to connect researchers at a dynamic science-based non-profit with current literature and research on topics ranging from climate change to nuclear weapons to sustainable agriculture. It provides insight into solo, special and science libraries and the role of information professionals, as well as opportunities to master a variety of electronic research tools.

Responsibilities

  • Maintain and strengthen access to electronic research search, literature access and reference management tools. Manage interactions with vendors of these tools.
  • Serve as point person for scientists and analysts research tools questions, training and problem-solving. Orient and train new staff and troubleshoot and provide quality assurance for electronic research tools.
  • Maintain and update written introductory guide to research information tools available at UCS.
  • Monitor usage, needs and cost-effectiveness of electronic research tools.
  • Help represent scientist and analyst research needs within the organization.
  • Help determine the best vehicle for ensuring that UCS researchers across programs and offices have equal and ongoing access to all downloaded literature throughout the organization.
  • Maintain and update electronic list of staff publications in peer-reviewed journals.
  • Provide dedicated research information support for Executive Department leadership in preparation of research reports and other written documents and presentations.

 

Qualifications and experience
Understanding of and experience with online and offline literature research, tools and sources; familiarity with scientific literature; library, customer service or tech support experience; ability to learn and train others on software, databases and other electronic tools; some familiarity with knowledge management best practices; experience with Mendeley, ArcGIS, or Google Earth Pro preferred.  Strong interest in UCS mission and issue areas is required.

Requires Bachelors degree or Masters level coursework in library & information science or in one of UCS’s issue areas plus research experience.

At UCS, comparable training and/or experience can be substituted for degrees when appropriate.

Compensation, Hours and Location: This is a one-year, half-time position based in UCS’s Cambridge office. For candidates who meet all position requirements, the salary is $15,600, based on a full-time annual salary of $31,200. UCS offers excellent benefits and a rewarding work environment, and is an equal opportunity employer continually seeking to diversify its staff and to broaden opportunities for individuals from demographic groups that are historically underrepresented in the sciences and in environmental advocacy.

To Apply: Please submit a cover letter, salary requirements, how you learned about the position and resume via email to [email protected] and include “Information Support” in the subject line. Email materials in Word or PDF format only. No phone calls please. Deadline: September 30, 2013 or until filled.